Victoria Weser, a senior at the WVU School of Nursing, always knew she wanted to help people, but college wasn’t initially part of her plan.
“The plan was to become an EMT or a 911 operator,” said Weser, of Wexford, Pennsylvania. “My godmother has been a nurse for 40-plus years, and she asked, ‘Why don’t you give it a shot?'”
That simple question changed Weser’s trajectory. She applied and was accepted to the WVU School of Nursing, and she said she’s loved it ever since.
“I’ve loved being in the clinical setting, seeing different patient populations,” Weser said. “That’s why I started working as a clinical assistant at the hospital. I just like knowing I’m making even a small difference.”
As she began considering a career after obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she wanted to explore options outside the traditional hospital setting. With members on both sides of her family having served in the military, Weser has always been interested in serving her country.
“As I researched the Navy, I realized there are opportunities to go overseas, see different hospitals and different patient populations. They also offer student loan repayment and opportunities for grad school,” Weser said. “It’s also about serving your country, and in my personal opinion, I feel like that’s a really great honor to have.”
After her graduation in December 2025 and passing her NCLEX licensure exam, Weser will attend Navy Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island, for five weeks. Afterward, she will be stationed for the next four years in North Carolina.
“Originally, I thought I would work in Pennsylvania, but now [enlisting with the Navy], I feel like I have the whole world,” Weser said. “I’m also looking forward to helping that patient population, who are prone to PTSD, depression and anxiety. It’s a male-dominated field, where showing weakness is often discouraged. I want to help decrease the stigma of seeking help by being someone who will listen to their concerns without judgment or ridicule.”
Weser said once she decided to pursue nursing, she was drawn to the WVU School of Nursing because of the NCLEX pass rates. In 2024, the average first-time pass rate among all three BSN campus locations was 99%.
“It’s nice to have that reassurance that they produce really good nurses, because all this means nothing if you don’t pass the test,” Weser said. “Also, the opportunity to have clinicals in your sophomore years instead of your junior year was important to me.”
Throughout her time in nursing school, she has found a supportive group of friends, along with helpful professors. She particularly noted her Adult Health instructor Arden Cyr, who has been incredibly supportive, offering advice and letters of recommendation.
During her senior year, Weser is excited about her senior placement to work closely with a practicing nurse. Outside of school, she enjoys running to clear her mind and watching movies to relax.
For future nursing students, she recommends taking everything one step at a time.
“It’s probably going to be rough at first if high school wasn’t challenging,” she said. “But you learn so much. Soak everything in, always ask questions and have fun with it.”
