(Jan. 26, 2021) Taylor Owen spends most of his time at East Tennessee State University in a uniform.
Whether it is his ROTC uniform or his College of Nursing scrubs, both are visible
reminders of Owen’s priorities and his goal when he graduates in December 2022.
As a member of ETSU’s ROTC program, Owen will commission into the U.S. Army Nursing
Corps as a second lieutenant upon graduation.
“My overall goal is to provide the highest level of care to our nation’s soldiers
and their families, as well as any injured or ill civilians in areas where I may be
deployed,” Owen said. “One of the most important parts of maintaining the strength
of the Army is maintaining and improving the health of its soldiers. I hope to be
a competent member of the incredible force of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff
that work tirelessly to serve our nation’s servicemembers.”
Owen is no stranger to military life, as his father retired from the U.S. Army in
2016. In fact, it was his father’s career that indirectly brought Owen and his family
to East Tennessee after living in several cities across the U.S. and in Germany.
“My father served four tours of duty in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan,” Owen said.
“When he retired, my family decided to hike the Appalachian Trail, in order to reclaim
some of the time we had lost with him. While hiking through the Roan Mountain Highlands,
my family fell in love with the area, and we moved to Elizabethton in spring of 2018.”
Owen finished high school the following spring and after touring ETSU, he decided
it was a perfect fit for him.
After settling in to his rigorous academic program and busy ROTC schedule, everything
changed in spring 2020 when COVID-19 forced ETSU courses to be moved online. It was
a new challenge for everyone, but Owen said his nursing professors and his ROTC training
prepared him well to weather the challenges of the pandemic.
“The thing I have most appreciated about the College of Nursing has been the instructors,”
Owen said. “I have been impressed by their ability to react and adapt to the various
changes forced upon us and them by the COVID-19 pandemic. I have deeply appreciated
their flexibility and ability to maneuver the obstacles the pandemic has presented
in a way that has allowed me to succeed academically.”
While attending classes via Zoom, Owen quickly learned that he needed to adjust his
routine and study habits. Being alone all the time was not easy, and he wanted to
find establish a disciplined routine similar to what he enjoyed when he attended classes
in person.
“I learned quickly that I can't pay attention to classes in my dorm room, so now I
do all my classes at the library,” Owen said. “I also stay involved in some extra-curricular
activities, like The Well ministry, which has tremendously helped me stay connected
to community.”
Elements of his ROTC experience, such as physical training, training in bad weather,
and leading during stressful situations, have also prepared him to thrive, even in
uncomfortable situations.
“Any cadet, who is trying to better themselves in the program, will encounter a good
deal of discomfort. Having already faced discomfort like that has had a positive impact
on my ability to adapt to the challenges presented with COVID-19,” Owen said. “I think
that level of discipline has been one of the largest contributing factors in my ability
to succeed academically, in the midst of all the changes.”