For Liz Bechtle, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Orvis School of Nursing is more than a personal achievement. It is the culmination of years of perseverance, sacrifice and determination shared by her entire family.

Bechtle’s path to nursing was anything but straightforward. Balancing family responsibilities, life challenges and a return to college as an adult, she often questioned whether graduation was within reach. Today, this born-and-raised Nevadan joins the Pack as a new nurse ready to make a difference in the lives of patients and families.

“My path to nursing was not traditional,” Bechtle said. “I became a young mom and struggled at times along my path to Orvis, taking many breaks throughout my educational journey while balancing family responsibilities and life challenges. I started taking prerequisites at TMCC in 2022, and as an adult returning to school, it was honestly very intimidating to start college again. There were moments when I never imagined I would actually graduate from the Orvis School of Nursing.”

Bechtle chose the Orvis School of Nursing because of its strong reputation and commitment to serving communities across the state.

“Nevada has always been home to me, and it has been an honor to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Orvis School of Nursing,” she said.

Her passion for nursing was strengthened by one of the most difficult experiences of her life. 

“I have always wanted to be a nurse because I have always had a passion for helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives,” Bechtle said. “However, I never truly understood what that meant until my daughter was born, weighing just 1 pound 15 ounces and spent months in the NICU. During that time, I truly saw the difference a nurse can make.

“That experience showed me that nurses have the ability to comfort, advocate for and truly impact patients and families during vulnerable moments. Seeing the compassion and strength of those nurses inspired me to pursue nursing and become the kind of nurse who can make that same difference for others.”

Throughout nursing school, her children remained her greatest source of inspiration. Bechtle was determined not only to earn her degree but also to demonstrate the value of resilience and strength to her family. 

“My children and family were my biggest motivation throughout the program,” she said. “There were many overwhelming moments, but I wanted to show my kids the importance of perseverance, hard work and to never give up on your dreams.”

The balancing act of nursing school and family life was demanding. Between coursework, clinical rotations and parenting responsibilities, Bechtle often found herself studying whenever and wherever she could.

“Balancing nursing school with raising a family has honestly felt like running on a hamster wheel at times,” she said. “There were many long days, lots of studying in the car while at baseball practice, late nights with sick kids and moments where I felt stretched very thin trying to balance everything.”

Despite the challenges, the experience strengthened her confidence and taught valuable lessons in resilience, time management and teamwork.

“My experience in the BSN program at Orvis has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” Bechtle said. “The program pushed me academically, emotionally and personally in ways I did not expect, but it also helped me grow tremendously.”

She credits a strong support system for helping her reach graduation. Family members stepped in to care for her children, while friends helped with transportation and daily responsibilities during the busiest periods of the program.

“It has truly taken a village to make this goal a reality,” Bechtle said. “I could not have done this without the support, patience and encouragement of the people around me.”

The journey also transformed how she sees herself and her future.

“Nursing school truly changed every fiber of my being and taught me how strong and capable I really am,” she said. “Professionally, I have gained the clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to become a nurse, while personally becoming more confident, compassionate and grateful through the experience.”

Bechtle hopes to one day work in neonatal intensive care or pediatric nursing, inspired by the nurses who cared for her daughter and family during their NICU journey.

“I have always been drawn to NICU and pediatric nursing because of my personal experiences as a mother and the impact nurses had on my family during my daughter’s NICU stay,” she said. “Caring for children and supporting families during vulnerable moments has always been something close to my heart.”

As she begins her nursing career, Bechtle encourages future nursing students to embrace the journey and remain persistent in the face of setbacks.

“My advice would be to take nursing school one day at a time and give yourself grace throughout the process,” she said. “Don’t compare yourself to your peers; they are now your new support system. Be open to new opportunities and experiences.

“Most importantly, if you happen to fail or face setbacks along the way, get back up and try again. Everyone at Orvis is here and waiting to support you.”