Kelsey Rosebeary: Top Cadet

Kelsey Rosebeary of Poulsbo, Washington is a fourth-year nursing major with minors in French and military science. She is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and has received the 2015 Nurse Cadet Excellence Award.

According to Lt. Col. Charles Rote, professor of military science of the Army ROTC program at UMaine, the award is given annually to the top Army ROTC nursing cadet in the nation.

“Every year, thousands of Army cadets compete to receive a commission from the president of the United States to serve as a second lieutenant in the Army,” Rote says. “This past year, 5,617 cadets participating as a part of one of the 275 Army ROTC host detachments were evaluated and rank-ordered on their academic, leadership and athletic abilities. Of the 215 nurses who underwent this process, Ms. Rosebeary was No. 1.”

What does it mean to receive the Nurse Cadet Excellence Award?
When I first received the news that I had received the Nurse Cadet Excellence Award, I did not know it was even an award to be won. Since beginning my career as a student at the University of Maine, I have done what I know how to do, and that is work hard to reach my goals.

Hearing the words, “No. 1 nursing cadet in the nation” is absolutely surreal. I still have difficulty believing it.

Receiving this award not only represents the hard work I have put in, but it also speaks volumes about the nursing school here at the university and the ROTC program. Both programs have instilled leadership qualities and attributes in me that have made me deserving of this award.

I am absolutely honored to have received the Nurse Cadet Excellence Award, and am honored to have received my education at the fine institution that is the University of Maine.

What made you want to study nursing?
This is a question we get asked a lot as nursing students. Every story is unique, and mine is no exception. When my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, my paternal grandfather became her primary caretaker. He had no medical experience or training prior to her being diagnosed, but what he had was love and a caring discipline. Never once did she get a bedsore, and my grandfather was sure to keep her hygiene in immaculate condition.

About six years after my grandmother passed away, my grandfather had a stroke and was in the hospital, unconscious. One of the nurses who took care of him was so rough and careless in his tasks and treatments. My grandfather had received no professional training in how to care for my grandmother, but he showed more care and compassion than someone who was supposed to be a professional.

It was there that I made a personal vow to show the same amount of compassion toward every patient I took care of that my grandfather showed to my grandmother.

Why did you decide to join ROTC?
There are many reasons students join ROTC. A major reason I joined ROTC was the financial stability that it could provide me as a student, as well as the occupational stability it would provide me once I graduated and became an officer.

In addition, I joined for the experiences I would receive in the field of nursing. Instead of being in a static position as a civilian nurse, the Army would provide me with opportunities to travel the country and the world.

Why UMaine?
The University of Maine sent me a packet in the mail my junior year of high school describing the school of nursing and what the university had to offer. My first choice, at this point and time was the University of Washington in Seattle. After applying and being accepted to both universities, I changed my mind.

The University of Maine treated me with such friendliness and respect when I called their offices, and they made me feel like I already had a purpose.

After much discussion with my family and friends, I decided to send in my letter of acceptance to the University of Maine and pack my bags for the East Coast.

Describe your internship experience:
During the summer of 2014, I had the opportunity to attend a nursing internship through the ROTC program. I spent four weeks at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii working alongside an Army registered nurse.

I was able to perform tasks and gain skills that many nursing students do not get the opportunity to do. I learned how to perform venipuncture and start IVs. I was able to hang blood transfusions, do blood draws and help intubate patients for surgery.

Over the course of four weeks, I worked 150 clinical hours and gained an extraordinary amount of confidence in my abilities to perform quality nursing care and be a leader on a nursing unit.

What’s your most memorable UMaine moment so far?
When I got to ride in a Black Hawk to one of our ROTC training events my sophomore year. My smile was from ear to ear, and lasted the entire weekend.

What difference has UMaine made in your life and in helping you reach your goals?
A tremendous difference. The education I have received here, the opportunities I have had to lead others and travel around the world, and the people I have met have all impacted my last four years, and surely the next 50.

I have met people that I will know and keep in contact with for the rest of my life. The professors I have had and the cadre I have had through ROTC will always be there to give me advice or send my future employers letters of recommendation. And the education and training I have received will stick with me for the rest of my life.

I am very grateful that I chose the University of Maine for my undergraduate experience.

What are your plans for after graduation and long-term career goals?
The day after graduation, I will be getting married, planning to take my board exam for nursing, and spending my last free summer with my family back in Washington before I head to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for my basic officer leader course. Nine weeks later I will be on my way to my first duty station.

I plan to make the Army my career — serving this nation the best I can, learning from soldiers I work with, and providing the best nursing care to every patient I come into contact with.