Speaker 1:
My name is Arnold Bogerty, and prior to me enrolling in Rasmussen, I spent 16 years in the military, 12 in Special Forces as an army Green Beret. I ended up getting injured over in Afghanistan and that allowed me to retire a little bit early. My wife and I, we moved down here to Tampa, but there was an experience that kind of changed my life a little bit. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. It was really a turning point.
I decided to become a nurse because of the care that was provided for me. I don't have too many fears in life, but I do fear of being forgotten. And I know that if you can do something to make an impact in other people's lives, you know, you leave a legacy. And I think that's the greatest satisfaction in the world, is to be able to impact somebody else. And that's what nursing does.
Speaker 2:
The advice that, that I, I would give to Arnold to start a new career in nursing is to bring forward your previous experiences. And, um, because it would make him a very unique nurse, it would bring a different purpose and a meaning for him.
Speaker 3:
When Arnold first told me that he wanted to become a nurse, it really took me by surprise. Within one week, he was ready trying to figure out what school he was going to go to. He within the month, he, he already started school within that month. Like he is just, he doesn't stop.
Speaker 1:
I was recommended to Rasmussen by a former student, and she said she loved the culture. She said it was a family atmosphere. You weren't just a number. And so, I went to visit the campus and as soon as I walked in, the way we were greeted—I was actually greeted by another veteran and he showed me around the campus. And so that really made me feel right at home.
The facilities were amazing. I met with an enrollment counselor, and it was very simple. She was knowledgeable, knew exactly, you know, what the program had to offer. She answered all of my questions. I knew before I left if that was the school that I was going to attend. Well, in the immediate future with my degree, I plan on working at the hospital, you know, after I get my BSN. But I also plan on continuing my education as well.
The ultimate goal is to become a nurse anesthetist. You know, once my boys go off to school and me and my wife are empty nesters, you know, to travel and to do traveling, nursing, that way we can see the world; we can see the country, and we can also make an impact as well in other people's lives.
The advice that I would give to someone who, who may be considering their career in nursing is one, just do it. Don't allow other people's opinions or biases, you know, stop you from achieving your goal. You know, you're never too old to start over.