From the Navy to Nursing

As an aviation electronics expert in the Navy, Miguel Arteaga assumed he’d work in aerospace after retiring. But his wife Pat had a different idea: Why not join her in nursing?

Miguel thought back on his entire Navy experience, particularly his voluntary counseling work with sailors and their families. He realized that nursing would allow him to combine his technical skills and passion for helping people.

“After my first experience working with patients, I was hooked,” Miguel said. “It satisfied the part of me that loves to serve people — and the part that loves to solve problems. Since then, I’ve followed in Pat’s footsteps.” He completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UW Bothell in 2008 and will graduate next June with a Master of Nursing degree, also from UW Bothell. Pat and Miguel both teach in the nursing program at Whatcom Community College.

Going to school, working and keeping up with five grown daughters has been challenging at times for the couple. At one point, Miguel asked his adviser for an extended leave because of financial strain. She laughed and told him to check his e-mail — he’d just been sent a scholarship award notice.

“If it weren’t for the Worthington Endowed Scholarship and other support, I would have had to stop. It made all the difference. Now I can focus on my nursing education. It’s tremendously gratifying to encourage students and give them hope that they too can become a nurse. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”