New Nursing Program Helps Student Veterans Continue Lifelong Mission

New Nursing Program Helps Student Veterans Continue Lifelong Mission

By Marilyn Huerta

An error occurred while preparing your download

Tara Jones was only 17 years old when she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 2001, driven by a strong sense of duty and a desire to help others. Just months later, the world changed on Sept. 11, and Jones found herself serving during wartime, first stateside and then around the world.

"I became a hospital corpsman and was embedded in the Marines," Jones said. "I worked in trauma bays and in field environments. I saw the best and worst of humanity. And through it all, I knew I was doing what I was meant to do - take care of people."

Jones served for two decades, earning accolades, earning the respect of her peers and gaining the kind of experience that most civilians could only imagine. But when she retired from active duty, a different question emerged: What comes next?

"I wasn't done serving," she said. "I just needed to find a new way to do it."

That calling led her to Cal State San Marcos, where she is part of the inaugural cohort of the university's new Veterans Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) program. The program is designed specifically for veterans who, like Jones, bring a wealth of medical experience and leadership into a second career as a registered nurse.

"This is just a different kind of uniform," Jones said. "The mission is still the same: serve with compassion, leadership and integrity."

A New Path Built for Veterans

Jones already had earned a master's degree in forensic science and worked for the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office in her post-military career. But something was missing.

"I missed the connection with the patients," she said. "There's something sacred about caring for someone when they're vulnerable. I needed to get back to that."

She learned about the VBSN program at CSUSM after seeing a flyer. The program immediately piqued her interest, especially its focus on supporting veterans' transition into health care.

"When I saw the VBSN flyer, I felt like it was calling me," Jones said. "I realized I could bring everything I'd learned in the military - trauma care, leadership, the ability to stay calm in chaos - and use it to keep helping people."

She applied and was accepted into the spring 2025 cohort. Now, in her second semester, she's thriving.

For U.S. Army veteran Anthony Caesar Sapinoso, the journey to the VBSN program began in high school, when he enlisted through the Army's Future Soldiers program in 2016. He served as a 68 - an Army licensed vocational nurse - and always knew he wanted to build a career in health care.

"I saw that the Army would become my foothold and way to get not only a glimpse but actual experience in the field," Sapinoso said.

While exploring nursing schools across California, Sapinoso found CSUSM's VBSN program somewhat serendipitously.

"I started my search from the Bay Area, where I'm originally from, and branched out. After being rejected from several programs, I was elated when I got the acceptance letter from San Marcos," he said. "The shorter timeline to licensure and graduation also made CSUSM's program stand out."

An error occurred while preparing your download

Purpose-Driven Support

Designed with veterans in mind, the VBSN program offers tailored advising, peer support and a clinical curriculum that values the lived experience of those who have served. Students complete rigorous hands-on training at hospitals and health care facilities throughout the region, preparing them to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

"Veterans possess qualities that make them exceptional nurses: leadership under pressure, teamwork and a deep understanding of trauma-informed care," said Wendy Hansbrough, director of the School of Nursing. "The VBSN program honors their service and supports their transition into one of the most critical professions in our health care system."

Jones says the support from faculty and peers has been key to her success.

"The transition from a corpsman to a student nurse is not always easy," she said. "But this program was built for us. They know where we're coming from and what we bring to the table."

Sapinoso agrees. Now in his second semester, he admits that he felt some initial hesitation.

"I was unaware initially that most of my cohort already had a bachelor's degree in another field, and I didn't," he said. "I felt some slight imposter syndrome, but that quickly disappeared once we started clinicals and skill tests. That's where my military experience kicked in, and my confidence showed up."

He credits the Army for shaping his holistic approach to patient care and cultural competency.

"Being in the Army was both a fun and hectic time where, despite everyone's different backgrounds, we came together to make the best of any situation," Sapinoso said. "That spirit of teamwork and care carries into everything I do now."

Faculty like Matt Mincey, who teaches Fundamentals of Nursing, see the difference that veterans carry into the classroom and clinical rotations.

"Tara and her fellow veteran students bring a depth of life experience. The ability to remain calm under pressure is incredibly valuable in clinical settings," Mincey said. "Our role as faculty is to honor that experience while challenging them to grow as professional nurses."

A University Committed to Veterans

The VBSN program reflects CSUSM's long-standing commitment to military-connected students.

"At CSUSM, we believe in the transformative power of education, especially when it supports students who have already given so much in service to others," said Jennifer Ostergren, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. "The VBSN program is a powerful example of what happens when we create purpose-driven pathways that honor lived experience and open doors to meaningful careers."

Jones hopes to specialize in critical care nursing and eventually work in a VA or military-affiliated hospital. Sapinoso, too, remains open to the possibilities.

"Whether in the Army or as a nurse, I've always wanted to be of service to others," he said.

Looking Ahead

With an ever-growing demand for nurses, particularly those with crisis leadership and cultural competency, CSUSM's VBSN program addresses workforce needs while cultivating the next generation of health care leaders.

Interest in the program continues to grow through veteran word-of-mouth and university outreach. The School of Nursing is actively recruiting future cohorts and remains committed to expanding access to this unique and impactful academic pathway.

For students like Jones and Sapinoso, it's more than just a degree - it's a calling fulfilled.

To learn more about CSUSM's Veterans BSN program, visit https://www.csusm.edu/nursingor email cehhs-ss@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306