Cadence Copson

Alumni
Nursing

Called to help others, Cadence knew nursing was the career path for her. As a first-generation college student and member of the Army National Guard, she took advantage of the support services in her corner. From the team at the Major General Fred F. Marty Veterans & Military Resource Center to Tutoring Services and the Michael J Hudock, Sr. Center for Academic Excellence, Cadence was fully supported in her academic journey. Balancing military commitments and the demands of nursing school wasn’t always easy, but she remained focused and earned her associate degree in nursing. Today she’s working as a registered nurse in emergency care while continuing her service as a combat medic the Army National Guard.

Q&A with Cadence

WHAT BRANCH DID YOU SERVE IN, YEARS SERVED, AND IN WHAT ROLE?

I serve in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, finishing up my first six-year contract. I am a Combat Medic/Emergency Care Sergeant.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO TO COLLEGE AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE?

I wanted to attend college to further my education in healthcare.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY, AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT MAJOR?

Nursing. I have always wanted to help people who need help.

WHAT WAS ONE CHALLENGE YOU FACED AS A STUDENT VETERAN, AND HOW DID YOU WORK THROUGH IT?

Being in the National Guard and a full-time student created challenges like having drill on a weekend when you have assignments due on Sunday and exams on a Monday. Sometimes drill occurred on the weekend before midterms and finals and I sometimes missed classes because of drill and different orders. I worked through these various challenges by reaching out to my professors, explaining my situation, providing them with documentation of classes that would be missed due to military obligations, and connecting them with the veteran's office if they had any questions.

WERE THERE ANY PEOPLE, PROGRAMS, OR RESOURCES THAT HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY?

Chet, Katie, and other student veterans within the Student Veterans Organization helped me through nursing school. They listened to me after a bad day, allowed me to teach them a topic that is on an upcoming exam, stayed in the office hours and did their homework with me, and encouraged and provided motivation to me when I would doubt myself. I also used services like tutoring, booking meetings with my professors, and appointments in the Hudock Center with Pat when I needed advice.

WERE YOU INVOLVED IN ANY ORGANIZATIONS OR ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS OR RECOGNIZED FOR ANY ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE YOU WERE A STUDENT?

Yes! I was a member of the Student Veterans Organization, SALUTE, and Student Nurses Association. I was named a Penn College Women Exemplar, received the Patriot Award, and had the opportunity to patriciate in Penn State's Capitol Day alongside President Reed and fellow students.

WHERE HAS YOUR PATH TAKEN YOU SINCE GRADUATION, AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I am a full-time Registered Nurse in an ICU and IMCU. I continue to serve in the National Guard, and I am pursuing my bachelor's in nursing as a full-time student.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR TIME AS A STUDENT?

I'm proud of the connections that I have made within the veteran's office and throughout the college's campus.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER VETERANS WHO ARE CONSIDERING ENROLLING AT PENN COLLEGE?

Reach out to your professors if you are having difficulty with subjects/assignments/exams in a class. The more willing you are to learn, and reach out when you aren't fully grasping a topic, the more willing they are to help!