Major Stephanie Kessinger fell in love with nursing because of her grandmother, who worked as an ICU nurse in a small rural hospital.
She also grew up around healthcare – her dad, a Navy veteran, worked in healthcare administration.
“I’ve always been in a healthcare setting, so I knew that was the direction I wanted to take in my career,” she says. “I would see my grandmother working as a nurse and see how she was part of a community, and everyone knew her.”
Kessinger took her love for nursing – and the desire to carry on her father’s and grandmother’s legacies – by joining ROTC in college while earning her nursing degree. She’s been an Army nurse for 16 years.
“Being an Army nurse is so unique and there are different opportunities for advancement and locations where you can be stationed,” she says. “You also get to take care of the sons and daughters of America. I enjoy taking care of the people who are taking care of us. It’s why I love being a military nurse.”
She came to the University of Colorado College of Nursing through the Army’s Long-Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) program. It allows nurses to apply to different programs, and once they’re enrolled, they can focus on being full-time students. Kessinger is an active-duty member of the Army and enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in the Health Care Sciences track.
“What really drew me to CU Nursing was their support of active-duty military members,” she says. “Some faculty are retired Army Nurse Corps officers, including my adviser, professor Lori Trego, PhD, CNM, FAAN. That experience was pivotal in making sure that I felt like somebody could advise and mentor me through the process.”
Working as a Researcher
Kessinger’s dissertation focused on qualitative research and the military nurse workforce. Her goal is to improve the military nursing workforce, which in turn, improves healthcare for military service members and their families.
“That’s been what’s driving me through this program,” she says. “In my research, I’ve found that camaraderie, the culture of taking care of each other, teamwork, and a shared understanding are what’s important to keep military nurses in the profession."
Even though Kessinger is officially graduating with her PhD in August, she has received special permission to walk in the May 2024 Commencement ceremony as she will be moving to Germany to work as a researcher at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry, alongside CU Nursing alum Lt. Col. Christopher Stucky, PhD, RN.
“Through all of the knowledge I’ve gained at CU Nursing about the research process, I’ll be able to take it with me to Germany and wherever I go next,” she says. “I’ll continue to enhance my research skills and move from the novice side of research to an expert.”
