Navy veteran embraces second career, pursues nursing dream

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Kyanise Mitchell, a Navy veteran and nursing student, received applause at Herzing University in Sandy Springs on Veterans Day as the school honored its student and employee veterans.

Mitchell spent seven years in the military before leaving to pursue a civilian career.

“I loved it. I loved my time in the Navy,” Mitchell said.

But her career path changed after she had her first child and was deployed overseas.

“I went on another deployment after her, and it sucked for me, because I wasn’t there,” Mitchell said.

The experience pushed her to pursue a childhood passion.

“I actually started in nursing school before deciding to go into the military,” she said.

With her family’s support, Mitchell enrolled in nursing school at Herzing University’s Atlanta campus.

The school honored its student and employee veterans Wednesday, and Mitchell appreciated the gesture — even something as simple as a nod and pizza.

“I describe it as something you’re called to do,” Mitchell said. “I describe it as something that not everybody can do.”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office says military veterans are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide within a year of leaving the military.

That rate trends closer to the general population’s over time. For women veterans, it remains above average even six years after separation.

Mitchell said she is thankful for the help she has received from Herzing.

“I’m making my way through,” she said. “We’re almost done with this semester!”