When the Orvis School of Nursing launches its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing track at the Lake Tahoe campus in January, Julie Sawyer, DNP, RN, RHNC, will lead the program’s inaugural cohort.
As BSN Lake Tahoe Track Leader, Sawyer is helping bring a new approach to nursing education to the region, combining the school’s rigorous curriculum with a close-knit learning environment and a focus on the healthcare needs of rural, mountain and frontier communities.
For Sawyer, the opportunity brings together many of the experiences that have shaped her career, from serving in the U.S. Army to caring for patients in rural emergency departments and preparing future nurses in the classroom.
“There’s something special about learning nursing in a smaller, close-knit program like this,” Sawyer said. “Students will have the chance to build strong relationships with their faculty, their classmates and the communities where they complete their clinical experiences."
"I want them to leave here as excellent nurses who also understand and appreciate what it means to care for rural and mountain communities.”
The 16-month program will offer the same nationally accredited BSN curriculum while giving students the opportunity to learn in a smaller cohort and residential setting at Lake Tahoe. Students will receive personalized faculty support and complete clinical experiences with healthcare partners throughout the region, with clinical placements and transportation coordinated by the Orvis School of Nursing.
“From the Lake Tahoe Basin to the I-80 corridor, this program transforms nursing education into an adventure in purpose, connection and community impact,” Shannon Richard, Ph.D., RN, CEN, CNE, CHSE, associate dean of Undergraduate Programs, said.
For Sawyer, leading the program is the latest step in a career shaped by service, clinical practice and a commitment to nursing education.
From soldier to nurse
PFC Julie Sawyer, Operation Enduring Freedom. Honorably separated at the rank of Sergeant.
Sawyer served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2006, including supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During her service, she completed Combat Lifesaver training, an experience that sparked her interest in the clinical side of healthcare and ultimately helped lead her to nursing.
She earned her associate degree in nursing in 2012 and began her career as a new graduate nurse. While building her career in rural emergency nursing, Sawyer continued advancing her education, including earning her Master of Science in Nursing from the 夜色视频. She later earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, further advancing her work in nursing education, leadership and rural health.
Sawyer remains active in rural emergency nursing, and her clinical experience continues to inform her work as an educator. Caring for patients in rural settings often requires rapid clinical decision-making, adaptability and the ability to work effectively with limited resources — realities she brings directly into the classroom.
Her doctoral scholarly work further reflects her commitment to rural health, focusing on the implementation of evidence-based chest pain triage practices to improve timely care in a rural critical access hospital emergency department.
In 2026, Sawyer earned the Rural Health Nurse Certified designation, adding a formal credential in an area central to her clinical practice and academic work. She was also recognized by Northern Nevada Nurses of Achievement in the Rural and Community Health category.
These experiences give Sawyer a perspective she brings into the classroom. She understands the realities nurses may encounter in rural settings and the importance of preparing students with the clinical judgment, adaptability and confidence those environments demand.
Expanding opportunities for future nurses
Sawyer’s work in nursing education also extends beyond the classroom.
She co-founded the Native Nurse Scholars Pathway, which provides mentorship, academic and career support, professional development and opportunities to connect with tribal and community health partners. Sawyer continues to help lead the pathway as part of her broader work supporting pathways to success in nursing.
The pathway grew from a recognition that academic preparation is only one part of a student’s experience. Building community, creating meaningful connections and providing individualized support can also play an important role in helping students succeed in nursing education and prepare for their careers.
Through this work, Sawyer has helped create additional opportunities and support for Native nursing students while contributing to broader efforts to strengthen and diversify the nursing workforce.
A new chapter at Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe BSN track creates a new pathway for students interested in serving communities where access to healthcare professionals can be limited. For Sawyer, it is an opportunity to draw on the full range of her experience as an Army veteran, practicing rural emergency nurse, doctoral-prepared nurse educator and scholar.
As the program welcomes its inaugural cohort, Sawyer will help shape the students’ educational experience and the future of nursing education at the 夜色视频’s Lake Tahoe campus.
(From left to right) Orvis School of Nursing professors Randi Arias-Fontenot, Carrie Breakell and Julie Sawyer, at the Lake Tahoe campus
For Sawyer, the new program represents another opportunity to put a career grounded in service into action — preparing future nurses with the clinical knowledge, adaptability and sense of purpose needed to make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.
That commitment reflects The Wolf Pack Way through using knowledge, experience and a dedication to serving others to make a difference in Nevada and beyond.
