Featured | Health Education and Human Sciences | Intrepid AmbitionNovember 26, 2025

Amanda McMillin: Serving Her Country and Her Community

Written By: Rachel Putman

Amanda McMillin doesn’t have time to waste.

By day, she’s an Emergency Room technician at Baptist Health in Fort Smith. On drill weekends, she’s a medic in the Arkansas Army National Guard. And in the hours in between—weeknights and weekends—she’s working toward her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

It’s a heavy load by any standard. But for Amanda, the pace isn’t the point; it’s the pathway.

“Being part of the Evening and Weekend Track has truly shaped my success as a nursing student academically, personally, and professionally,” she said. “And the flexibility has allowed me to show up fully for every part of my life without sacrificing the quality of my education.”

Launched last year, the Evening and Weekend BSN Track was built with students like Amanda in mind - working adults, parents, service members, and people whose lives don’t fit inside a traditional college schedule. 

Today, more than 20 students are enrolled in the track, part of the university’s ongoing effort to meet the River Valley’s growing demand for nurses without asking students to choose between their careers and the classroom.

“I’ve genuinely enjoyed the instructors who teach in this track; they bring a level of support, patience, and real-world experience that has made learning both engaging and meaningful,” Amanda said. “I’ve genuinely enjoyed the instructors who teach in this track; they bring a level of support, patience, and real-world experience that has made learning both engaging and meaningful. I’ve also had the opportunity to experience shift changes and practice giving reports to oncoming nurses during clinicals, which has strengthened my communication skills and helped me feel more prepared for real clinical environments.”

For Amanda, the program's structure has enabled her to keep her footing, take shifts at work, and stay active in the National Guard and in her free time.

“As a member of the military, drill weekends can often be demanding, but the structure of this program has made it much more manageable,” she said. “It has even given me the consistency I needed to stay competitive in my CrossFit training and competitions, something that keeps me grounded and balanced.”

The program has also helped her stay present in her personal life. Her fiancé, Dakota Amos, is also in the military and works as a firefighter. “His schedule can be unpredictable and demanding,” Amanda said. “Despite that, the Evening and Weekend Track has provided enough room in my own schedule for us to make meaningful time together.”

“Balancing school, the military, fitness, and a relationship is far from easy,” she said. “But this track has made it possible in a way that feels sustainable.”

She’s done all of this while holding her position as class president in the BSN Night Cohort.

“By providing various tracks, students can pursue the level of education that aligns with both their professional ambitions and the evolving health care demands of the community,” said Dr. Paula Julian, executive director of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. “This flexibility allows the nursing program to produce well-rounded professionals capable of safe patient care.”

“Overall, UAFS has been a tremendous support system that has allowed me to grow not only as a student but as a future nurse, an athlete, a service member, and a partner. I’m grateful for the opportunities, the educators, and the flexibility this program provides.”