Braden Renke had always carried within her the spirit of service and a deep-rooted commitment to her community and country. Graduating in December 2023 from GW Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, Cohort 30, she now proudly serves as an Ensign and a new graduate nurse in the United States Navy.
Born and raised in Bergen County, New Jersey, Renke’s journey to becoming a nurse in the military was significantly influenced by her upbringing. "My desire to become a nurse derived from being a native to the Northern New Jersey area and watching my community be heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," Renke shared. "My desire to join the military was heavily influenced by my grandfather and his 'sea stories' but was also influenced by the community where I grew up, which was deeply affected by the aftermath of 9/11. This instilled in me from a young age a calling to serve my country."
During her time at GW, Renke was the recipient of the prestigious Paul Tschudi Memorial Award, which significantly helped her alleviate financial stressors towards the end of her program. The support she received enabled her to focus on her studies and her passion for nursing. Reflecting on her time at GW, Renke shared, "GW opened the doors to a great education, a preceptorship in GW's ICU, and being in close proximity to Washington, DC, which allowed me to network with service members throughout the region and even speak with Senator Casey's team regarding mental health policy for college students on The Hill."
"Don't give up! If you want something bad enough, you can always find a way to make it work. Things may get tough, but if you surround yourself with positive people, navigating nursing school and joining the military are not as difficult as they would be if you tried to do them alone."
Currently, Renke is in week four of Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island, gearing up to start her career as an active-duty nurse in the United States Navy. "I am extremely excited to begin my orientation and learn about all of the units and opportunities that exist within the United States Navy Nurse Corps," she remarked.
One of Renke’s proudest accomplishments is passing her NCLEX and Commissioning in the United States Navy's Nurse Corps. These achievements were the culmination of months and years of hard work, and Renke credits the mentors she met at GW for their guidance, support, and leadership throughout the process.
Reflecting on her journey, Renke offers a piece of advice to students seeking to pursue a career similar to her own: "Don't give up! If you want something bad enough, you can always find a way to make it work. Things may get tough, but if you surround yourself with positive people, navigating nursing school and joining the military are not as difficult as they would be if you tried to do them alone."
Braden Renke's story exemplifies resilience, dedication, and the unwavering commitment to serve others. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, her alma mater, GW School of Nursing, proudly celebrates her achievements and wishes her success in all her future endeavors.