As the spouse of a Green Beret, Evanna Burgwardt is no stranger to facing challenges head-on. This ability to adapt and persevere has been a cornerstone of her nursing career. It continues to guide her on her journey to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
When Evanna first met her husband, she quickly learned that challenges come with the “military spouse” title. She knew the path would get rocky with the deployments and uncertainty that come with military life. However, over the past five years, Evanna has taken the lessons and skills developed along the way and applied them to every new task she faces. “The special forces life has not been easy, but if I had not been given the privilege of living it, I am not sure I would be who I am today,” Evanna shared. “I have not only developed the ability to take care of a household and support my family, but I have also developed a determined and strong-willed personality.”
This determination has been vital in pushing Evanna forward on her path to success, even when she faced roadblocks. After four years of effort, she was finally accepted into the CRNA program at Central Connecticut State University to pursue her Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice.
“It took me four years to be accepted into a CRNA program,” Evanna said. “With every rejection and critique, I moved forward to accomplish new certifications and prove that I have what this program requires.
”I took every rejection as an opportunity to be better.”
Evanna’s journey in nursing is rooted in a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She believes in the power of high-quality, personal care and providing a sense of calm to patients before surgery or procedures. Her dedication to this calling is evident in the life-changing moments she has been a part of throughout her career.
In 2016, Evanna’s quick thinking and expertise were tested when she was in the right place at the right time to help save a woman’s life. When she saw a commotion outside, Evanna was inside a Starbucks in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Without hesitation, she rushed over to find Francine Lavigne-Teague in full cardiac arrest.
Evanna, just off a 12-hour shift at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, jumped into action alongside Officer Cherie Dery and two off-duty officers on the scene. Evanna took charge of chest compressions, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm and ultimately saving Lavigne-Teague’s life. The story made headlines and showed Evanna’s unwavering commitment to her profession. “It was nice it had a happy ending,” Evanna said, reflecting on the incident. For her heroic actions, she was publicly recognized, a moment that further affirmed her dedication to helping others in their most vulnerable moments.
Her passion for helping others motivated her to keep working toward her goal. “Going into Nurse Anesthesia, I know that I can provide high-quality, personal care while giving the patient a sense of calm before their surgery or procedure,” she said. “I feel the greatest joy when I believe I have made a difference in someone’s life.”
Recognizing her dedication and drive, Hope For The Warriors awarded Evanna an “Honorary Scholarship” in the Fall of 2021. This scholarship is dedicated to individuals pursuing graduate or postgraduate degrees. Hope For The Warriors understands that military spouses and caregivers embody strength and fidelity in their service, supporting the well-being of their families.
“The scholarship provided me funding for tuition, clinical fees, and other necessary school supplies, lessening the financial burden on my husband, allowing him to focus on his career while supporting me and my dreams,” Evanna said. “As a nurse, I have always dedicated myself to helping others. By continuing my education, I can continue to care for my patients with all my heart and soul.”
Fast forward to 2024: Evanna has graduated from the three-year CRNA program. Reflecting on the experience, she describes it as a challenging but rewarding journey. “It was a very long three years. You can’t work during it, so it felt like a full-time job without getting paid,” she said. “I did long-distance with my husband the whole time. It was a lot, but I couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone.”
Evanna admits the biggest challenge was losing herself in the rigorous demands of the program. “You need to sleep, eat, and then do your schoolwork when you’re awake, so you don’t really get any hobbies,” she explained. After graduation, she took the summer off to rediscover herself and worked through therapy to cope with personal challenges she had pushed aside during school.
Evanna has joined U.S. Anesthesia Partners in Colorado, a national anesthesia group where she will be credentialed at four different hospitals. “I’ll be doing OB, general anesthesia, and possibly some pediatric cases,” she said, noting that she hopes to specialize in obstetrics. Walking across the stage to receive her doctorate felt surreal for Evanna. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she said. “Even though I walked across the stage, I had to pass my boards to make it official. When I saw the ‘pass’ on the printout, I just cried. It was a release of all the emotions from the last three years. It’s a very competitive and time-consuming program, so reaching my goal was huge.”
Evanna’s husband, her biggest advocate, was
proud to see her graduate. “He was always supportive, even when I got waitlisted three years in a row. When I finally got accepted, he was thrilled. We have a huge respect factor, and he’s happy to have me home now.” Evanna credits Hope For The Warriors for the financial support, sense of community, and encouragement they provided. “The scholarship took away some of the financial burden, but what stood out the most was the support behind me,” she said. “Kristy, from HOPE, responded to my thank you email, which was so heartwarming. It felt more like a family than just receiving financial assistance.”
Evanna’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community. Her advice to other military spouses considering pursuing their dreams? “Keep going. I got denied three times, and there were moments when my whole life seemed to crumble around me. But I reminded myself that this was the one thing I was doing for myself. I had to keep going because I knew I would regret it if I didn’t. And I did it—with a lot of tears—but I did it.”
As Evanna embarks on this new chapter, her story inspires others to push forward, no matter the obstacles. At Hope For The Warriors, we are proud to have been a part of her journey and look forward to seeing her continue to thrive in her career and beyond.
Since 2006, the Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship Program has awarded over 250 scholarships totaling more than $641,607.
These scholarships aid in continuing education at reputable, accredited universities, colleges, or trade schools.
Currently, HOPE offers the following scholarships.
- Honorary Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking graduate or post-graduate degree
- New Beginnings Scholarship – Awarded to those pursuing associates and entry-level classes or training
- Restoring Family Scholarship – Awarded to spouses of the Fallen
- Restoring Hope Scholarship – Awarded to those pursuing a master’s or doctorate of social work, psychology counseling, or mental health counseling-related field.
- Restoring Self Scholarship – Awarded to those seeking a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility
Eligibility is based on a spouse or caregiver’s ability to show their post-9/11 service member or veteran sustained a combat-related injury and/or has a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating to include Individual Unemployability. The Hope For The Warriors Scholarship Program considers a combat-related injury to be an injury caused by armed conflict, hazardous duty, instrumentality of war, and simulated war.
Scholarship awards are made payable to the recipient’s institution for payment of tuition, books, and supplies. The scholarship is for U.S. colleges and universities only.
