Army Veteran Finds Career Path Through UToledo’s GEM Program

Army Veteran Finds Career Path Through UToledo's GEM Program

As a 40-year-old man with 15 years of experience in the U.S. Army, Joseph Walton stood out among the average nursing student as he pursued his master of science degree in nursing.

Now, Walton will graduate Friday, May 3, having overcome every obstacle thrown his way.

"It is not easy to be an older male in a nursing school, especially with my background," Walton said. "I believe I have adapted well and that will help me not only in my personal life but in my practice as well."

At the age of 17, Walton joined the U.S Army, starting in the ranger training pipeline. He was stationed in Savannah, Georgia, and for fifteen years served the Army, being deployed on six separate occasions.

After being medically retired due to his asthma, Walton bounced around many jobs before landing on paramedic, where he developed a passion for community healthcare.

Then, Walton discovered UToledo's GEM (Graduate-Entry M.S.N) program.

The GEM program allows students who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree to earn their M.S.N. while qualifying to sit for the registered nurse national council licensure exam.

"You really need to be dialed in as a student to succeed in GEM," Walton said. "I am not a great student by any stretch, and it was a challenge to keep up with my younger cohorts who are very studious."

Discovering how the GEM program could help him with his goals, Walton began the process of opening a business with his wife, who has a master of arts in counseling. They opened a private mental health practice designed to support their community - especially veterans.

"Because of my own struggles after the war ended for me, we are intent on helping those who served, as well as helping those in our community," he said. "We have also partnered with other local substance abuse therapy offices to offer off-site counseling for their offices."

Throughout earning his degree, he had the help of Dr. Holly Myers, assistant professor in the UToledo College of Nursing, who supported him as a unique student.

"Joseph's background is different than most of his classmates, he served his country in the military and now he will be serving his community as a nurse," Myers said. "Joseph's determination to succeed was evident through his hard work throughout the nursing program."

Though Walton will be a registered nurse soon after graduating, he still has more to accomplish before becoming a practitioner.

"Like all who possess the American dream, my goal is to be independently wealthy," he said. "In the meantime, I will hopefully be working towards becoming a great emergency room nurse and enjoying my opportunity to care for people. Ultimately though, I plan on becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner and working in my community where there is a large need for providers."

Even as he continues pursuing his dreams, Walton said the most important thing to him will always be his children.

"The biggest challenge for me has been trying to be present for my kids while completing the GEM program," he said. "I would say that I gave what I could to the program while not taking away from my children and the time I spend with them. I think the decision to do so will transfer into how I look at jobs and careers moving forward.

"There is no amount of money or prestige that can change this for me, I am certain of that now because of UToledo's GEM program."