U.S. Marine veteran shifts from animal to people care with degree from Weber State

OGDEN, Utah — In 2018, Kris Schweers threw a dart at a map, searching for a new place to call home. She aimed west — she’d never been there before — and hit Utah, so she began planning a 2,100-mile move from North Carolina to the Beehive State. 

Schweers was ready for her next steps in life: a different career, a college degree and a change of scenery. 

She’d recently completed six years in the U.S. Marines, working in logistics and, later, in a helicopter unit. During her service, she deployed to 10 countries, taking part in missions like hurricane relief in Haiti and cold weather training in Norway. 

Being a Marine gave Schweers a sense of belonging and amplified her confidence: “I feel like nothing is impossible,” she said. “If it’s truly something I want, then I will do it.”

With that mindset, Schweers headed to Utah. She enrolled at Weber State University and began working as a veterinary technician at a clinic in Layton. She specialized in exotic pet care and soon transitioned to emergency care for dogs and cats. 

That job combined science and animals, two of her biggest passions. But she wanted opportunities for more professional advancement, so she set her sights on WSU’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing. 

“I just have this drive to want more,” she said. “And when I was thinking about my career path, I wanted to change from four legs to two.”

Getting into the nursing program meant boosting her GPA and successfully completing the required prerequisite classes. 

Her years of experience in veterinary medicine were a plus, since many animal organs and human organs function the same. However, Schweers was struggling with the transition to civilian life and simultaneously grieving her sister’s sudden death in 2019. 

“When I first started school, I was not a good student,” she said. “But Weber doesn’t require you to know everything when you get here. It’s an awesome place to grow.”

Now a straight-A student, Schweers said she’s proud of how far she’s come.

Though her focus will be on human patients, she still surrounds herself with animals, including her three snakes, three lizards and two dogs. Schweers and her husband are also looking forward to a new addition to the family: a baby coming next spring. 

She’s exploring job opportunities in preparation for graduating next month with an associate’s degree in nursing. She’s looking for a position she’ll find fulfilling and meaningful — common themes in all her past work.

“It’s so special to let someone feel safe and loved in my care,” she said. “If I can change somebody’s day, that makes me feel satisfied.” 

Author:

Rachel Badali, news coordinator 
801-626-7362, rachelbadali@weber.edu 

Contact:

Rachel Badali, news coordinator 
801-626-7362, rachelbadali@weber.edu