Veterans Day 2024: Nate Schacher Shares Journey from Marine Corps to Medicine

Nate Schacher ’23N has always hoped to improve others’ quality of life through physical health and fitness.

Today, as an inpatient orthopedic nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital and recent accelerated bachelor’s graduate, Schacher is fulfilling a lifelong goal.

Currently a family nurse practitioner student, he brings a background as a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence specialist and martial arts instructor to the nursing profession, as well as a previous bachelor’s in health and exercise science.

As he continues to advance his nursing career, he aspires to make an impact through sports medicine and give back to fellow veterans.

Can you tell us about your background as a Marine?

I enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating high school in 2013. I served as an intelligence specialist, later adding Marine Corps martial arts instructor to my resume in 2015. I was stationed in Virginia Beach, Hawaii, and North Carolina and deployed twice overseas before ending my active service as a Sergeant in 2018 to pursue an education.

How did you choose to pursue a nurse practitioner degree?

I received a Bachelor of Science in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine from Colorado State University, with aspirations of going to medical school. While working as a medical assistant and clinical research coordinator during and after college, I was exposed to several medical professions, including NPs, and began to explore various careers.

Overall, I was sold on NPs after visiting one for my own personal health. I remember the attentive care and holistic approach they had toward my health and well-being, and thought, “this is how healthcare should be.”

What similarities have you encountered between nursing and military service?

I thoroughly enjoy being a nurse and look forward to helping others every day. Nursing reminds me a lot of my time in the service in several ways. It is fast-paced, physically demanding, and team-centered, as you work toward one common goal.

You have to be mentally tough, accountable for your actions, dependable for others on the care team, and most importantly, have great attention to detail.

What are some of your future career goals?

As an NP, I would like to stay in the realm of sports medicine and orthopedics; however, I am also interested in working with veterans through the Veterans Affairs system, and I would like to help to improve the overall health of our nation’s veterans.

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