Lacy Biltoft, a student at the UNMC College of Nursing – Kearney Division, spent part of the summer sharpening her nursing skills in a military environment.
Biltoft, a second semester student, completed a five-week nurse summer training program as part of her membership in the ROTC.
The training, which took place at Fort Benning in Georgia, focused on familiarizing cadets with different hospital specialties. Participants shadowed military officers in different medical specialties, such as the emergency room, intensive care unit and behavioral health.
She said the program included about 160 clinical hours in the hospital setting, which allowed her to gain a variety of experiences.
“Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to practice both medical and leadership skills in a structured, military environment,” Biltoft said.
The fast-paced setting challenged Biltoft to think on her feet and quickly process a situation. She said while it was challenged, it was important to skill development.
“Situations often changed quickly and working together was essential to succeed,” she said. “I also gained a deeper understanding of how military structure complements patient care, ensuring both efficiency and accountability.”
One aspect about the training that stuck out to Biltoft was the degree of mentorship it included. The challenges and struggles often came with encouragement, she said, which she said was a pleasant surprise.
“It made the experience not only rigorous, but also motivating and collaborative,” she said. “Especially working in the ER, the nursing staff let us have so much patient exposure and allowed us to do lots of patient interventions.
“They allowed us to make mistakes but guided us in the right direction if need be.”
With a goal to serve as an Army nurse after graduation, Biltoft said the program only encouraged her to continue as a UNMC student and an ROTC cadet.
“This training reaffirmed my commitment to both UNMC and the ROTC,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunities to grow as a leader and as a future nurse, and I look forward to applying the lessons I’ve learned in both clinical and military settings.”