Brooke Myher and Kayla Schladweiler have a lot in common. They both graduated from Mid-State’s Nursing program in December, they’re both hired before graduation, they commuted to Mid-State together, and they both share a passion for helping others. They’re also cousins.

Their nursing journey started at a different technical college where they took general classes and hoped to get into the nursing program. It was Kayla who first suggested they transfer and enroll in Mid-State’s Nursing program. 

“I heard about Mid-State through some coworkers who highly recommended going to Mid-State,” says Kayla. “I told Brooke that we should make the transfer and go through the nursing program together.”

Their compassion for those in need led them both to a career in nursing. “I chose nursing because I love how big of an impact you can make in someone's life in this profession,” says Brooke. “It is stressful, but it is so rewarding. I love healthcare as a whole, and I really enjoy learning about what makes a person who they are and how I can be there to help them in times of need.”

Kayla’s calling for healthcare came early in life. “When I was 12 I lost my little sister to chronic medical issues,” says Kayla. “When she was sick, I wanted to help in any way I could. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse—so I could help care for others the way I did for my little sister.”

Through tough times, Kayla and Brooke are there for each other. And going through the Nursing program together was another way they could support each other. “It had a positive impact on my learning experience, as we were able to study together, talk over concepts to help each other better understand, and just be a shoulder to lean on when things got stressful,” says Kayla.

Brooke and Kayla both walked across the stage at graduation in December 2024 and were honored at the College’s nursing pinning ceremony, the celebratory endcap to a nursing student’s academic journey and a bridge between nursing school and a nursing career.

What’s next for Brooke and Kayla? Brooke has accepted a job at Tomah Health in acute care and Kayla has been accepted to the RN Transition to Practice Residency Program at the Tomah VA Medical Center.

Through their time at Mid-State, Brooke and Kayla discovered another thing they have in common: both agree that their bond as cousins positively impacted their Nursing program experience. “Going through nursing school with my cousin by my side has been a dream,” says Brooke.