By Sarah Campo, Director of Alumni Engagement at ECPI University
Before starting her career in healthcare, ECPI University graduate Monzie Cazares spent eight years in the Navy as a gunner’s mate. With her fiancé also being in the military, Monzie’s life often revolved around service.
In 2024, Monzie completed the Practical Nursing program and then earned her licensure, marking her transition from one uniform to another.
Answering a Different Calling
After serving in the Navy, Monzie worked as a pharmacy technician, which gave her the perspective she needed to reconsider her career path. While she enjoyed the work, she was looking for something more up close and personal. “I loved helping people,” she said. “But I wanted to be at the frontline of it.”
Monzie had always been interested in healthcare but had never taken the step to pursue it. When her fiancé received orders to relocate to Virginia Beach, she saw it as the opportunity she needed. The transition offered a chance to start over and to finally follow her passion.
While choosing to study nursing was an easy decision, it took some time to figure out the right school. What first made ECPI University appealing to Monzie were the responsive admissions team and the smooth enrollment process. As she learned more about the flexible structure of the program, she became convinced that it was the right fit for her.
“I was looking for a program that would be continuous,” Monzie shared. “I really wanted to become a nurse and was ready to fully focus on that goal.”
With a new sense of purpose, Monzie started her journey.
Training for a New Mission
Once she began classes, Monzie quickly realized how much the program would push her to grow. Her instructors set clear expectations, guided by their years of real-life experience in critical care. The fast pace kept her engaged, and the coursework challenged her to think more critically than she ever had before.
Early on, Monzie and her classmates faced a setback when many of them struggled with the first major test. It was a tough moment, but it became a vital turning point for Monzie and her cohort. “We all realized that nursing isn’t meant to be easy,” she said. “From then on, we helped each other out, picked each other up, and became really close.”
Because of the program’s structure, the cohort took most of their classes together. They supported one another to improve their study and test-taking skills. Before exams, they reviewed questions together, each giving a different perspective on how to approach the solution.
Monzie found that the past-faced structure at ECPI was "parallel to a military environment.” But just like being in the military, she was surrounded by fellow service members. The Military and Veteran Center on campus connected her with other students with similar backgrounds. The shared experience created a sense of belonging that made the transition to student life feel familiar.
Outside her peers, she also credited her success to the dedicated Career Services team. Advisors regularly made class visits and shared campus opportunities to help them plan ahead. “They involved us in career fairs and asked us about our career goals so they could reach out to people for us,” Monzie said.
The support that Monzie received throughout her time at ECPI helped her stay the course and reach the finish line.
Embracing a New Kind of Service
After Monzie graduated from the practical nursing program, she took the NCLEX to earn her nursing licensure. Even though the exam was nerve-tracking, she approached it confidently. “A lot of what I saw on the exam was what we had to do in class,” she recalled. “I felt really prepared.”
Her hard work paid off: she passed the NCLEX and achieved her dream of becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Monzie now works at a gastroenterology clinic as an endoscopy nurse. Her role includes preparing patients for procedures, assisting physicians during operations, and providing post-anesthesia care. The hands-on work draws on everything she learned during her training.
She quickly found that one of the most important skills needed for her job is communication. Many patients arrive nervous about their procedures, and she takes time to explain each step and ease their worries. “Patients can tell when you truly care,” she noted. “We need to validate their feelings and help them understand that it’s going to be okay.”
Seeing how patients react to her care has confirmed for her that she chose the right path.
Serving in Two Uniforms
Monzie takes pride in how far she’s come since she made the big decision to become a nurse. The transition from the military to nursing wasn’t easy, but it gave her a stronger sense of purpose. She’s found a role that challenges her while allowing her to make a difference every day.
Whether in uniform or in scrubs, Monzie Cazares continues to live a life dedicated to service.
About the Author: Sarah Campo
Sarah Campo is the Director of Alumni Engagement at ECPI University. She is passionate about sharing graduate stories, celebrating their achievements, and building meaningful connections that continue beyond graduation.