Army ROTC nursing graduate selected to pursue graduate degree

Photo of Shelley Aurand.Shelley Aurand received her commission as an army nurse on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 in the WMU Bernhard Center and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Bronson School of Nursing on Dec. 14. Unlike other commissioned graduates, however, she will not go directly into active duty. Instead, she will continue her education to become a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner. 

Ms. Aurand was one of only five cadets in the nation selected by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s Nurse Practitioner Health Professions Scholarship Board for a program that allows nursing cadets to delay active duty and pursue a graduate degree full-time. According to Military Science Professor Lieutenant Colonel Decker B. Hains, this selection is very well deserved. "During her time at Western and with Army ROTC," he states, "Shelley has consistently demonstrated her intellect, fortitude, professionalism and passion for the Army Nurse Corps and health care."

In addition to maintaining a 3.45 GPA in the challenging nursing program, Aurand participated in many other activities. She volunteered with the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center, providing recreational activities for veterans with mental health illness. She was also selected to attend the 2013 Nurse Summer Training Program, completing over 150 hours in the emergency department at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colorado. There, she earned high praise for expertly working with critically acute and psychiatric clients.

In addition, she volunteered as captain of the ROTC Ranger Challenge and intramural basketball teams, served as cadet public affairs officer and assisted in recruiting potential nurse cadets. We congratulate this stellar alumna, wishing her the best in her graduate studies and in her future of treating soldiers and their family members who experience mental health challenges.