BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Two West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing juniors have been accepted into the Aspiring Nurses Program through WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital and have agreed to start their nursing careers with WVU Medicine upon graduation.

Hailey Pugh ’26, of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and Emily Tackett ’26 of Cassidy, West Virginia, will receive up to $25,000 over the next two years. Upon completion of nursing school they will then become employed by WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The Aspiring Nurse Program is a program with a formal partnership between hospitals within WVU Health System and students at partnering schools of nursing.  Unlike a scholarship, students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. The money is intended to be used to support student needs throughout nursing school, which could include school expenses or other life expenses. Each student’s needs will vary, and the student will utilize discretion upon how best to handle the financial support provided by the Aspiring Nurse Program.

In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN. The Aspiring Nurse Program is not based on individual financial aid status, but applicants are required to go through an application and interview process. For more information, go to wvumedicine.org/aspiring-nurse-program.

The two WVWC juniors were recognized along with Davis and Elkins senior Madisyn McDaniel.

Pugh said she chose nursing as a way to help others after having positive experiences with those in the health care field.

“I have always had a soft spot in my heart for helping other people,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a fixer of all the boo-boos. I really look up to health care professionals who I work with and who I have been taken care of by personally.”

Pugh is completing a nursing externship in obstetrics at St. Joseph’s Hospital and has decided that is where she wants to continue her nursing career.

“It is a big opportunity for me and it’s a big honor,” she said of being selected for the Aspiring Nurses program. “I really appreciate everyone who I have interviewed with and talked with about the program.”

Tackett was inspired to become a nurse both by her grandmother and her love of science in high school.

“My grandma was an in-home care nurse,” she said. “I would listen to her talk about taking care of people and that sparked my interest. I grew up in a really big family, so I was always taking care of a little sibling or cousin.”

Tackett said she wants to become a labor and delivery nurse and the Aspiring Nurses Program will help her achieve her goals.

“It is an honor,” she said. “I’m blessed to have it because it is setting me up to succeed.”

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2023 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan seventh in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.