Faces of Bryan

It was just another fall day in October 2021 when Anthony Eickmeier, RN, got the call — he was being deployed with the National Guard.

“I didn't really know how to feel,” he said. “It was a split of emotions of, 'I want to be here, but I also know this is where I'm supposed to go. This is what I signed up for.'”

He gave himself the day to process the news and to tell immediate family. The following day, he went to work on E-6N, the intensive care unit at Bryan East Campus, and told his nurse manager, Candy Locke, RN, the situation: he would be leaving for Africa in six months.

A Supportive Workplace

Having known Anthony was in the Nebraska Army National Guard at the time of his hiring, Candy, along with assistant nurse manager Leah Harrington, knew he could potentially be deployed. When they got the news, they quickly began problem-solving to help Anthony prepare for deployment.

“They were so gracious with me, with everything that was going on,” he said. “They worked with me to figure out how to see family before I left, which was a big thing for me.”

Their support for Anthony didn’t just stop on the unit floor, however. While Anthony was overseas, his team on E-6N cheered him on from afar. He stayed in touch with his friend and co-worker Seth, who would then relay Anthony’s messages to Candy, Leah and the rest of the unit.

One day, Anthony even received a care package from his team. The package was filled with kind words and thoughtful gifts. It was so meaningful to Anthony that he decided to fly a flag on one of the armored vehicles he patrolled the area with in honor of his family on E-6N.

“Anthony is the type of person that always has other’s best interest at heart,” Leah said. “He is someone who everyone gets along with, and his peers respect and truly appreciate all that he brings to the unit.”

A Call to Serve

Anthony’s desire to serve others, both patients and his country, runs in his blood. With a father and brother who are veterans of the Navy, another brother in the National Guard, and several siblings in the healthcare industry, his career path didn’t come as much surprise. However, it was his mom who, Anthony said, influenced him most.

“Growing up, I always saw my mom take care of people. She was a nurse tech,” he said. “Seeing the care she gave, the compassion she showed and then the relationships she built, really inspired me to get into health care.”

He started as a nurse tech when he was 16 and thought he would eventually become a physician’s assistant. However, once he got to college, he realized he wanted to start taking care of people sooner, so he switched his career path to nursing.

“I felt like I was following a calling, taking care of people and hopefully sharing that same compassion and care I saw my mom give,” he said.

While in nursing school, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and many hospitals closed their doors to anyone who wasn’t necessary to patient care, including nursing students looking for externships. After reevaluating his plans for the summer, Anthony decided to reach out to a National Guard recruiter.

Anthony was sworn in on March 13, 2021. He spent that summer completing infantry training and airborne school. In the fall, he began his job as a nurse for E-6N on Bryan East Campus.

A Warm Welcome Home

After Anthony was deployed, he spent three months in training and nine months overseas. When he finally came back to his unit on E-6N, he felt at home right away.

“You spend a week away from the hospital, and things change. You spend a year away, and everything's completely different,” he said. “But 6N will always be 6N. No matter how much things have changed or how much time has passed, the vibe is still the same. Everything about 6N is home for me. I couldn't imagine working any anywhere else.”

With so much gratitude in his heart, Anthony framed the flag he flew in their honor overseas, and he presented it to his team upon his return.

“It was kind of like a ‘I was away, but thank you for everything you guys did,’” he said. “And then also thank you for welcoming me back so easily and making the transition easy.”

Anthony even nominated Candy and Leah for the Patriot Award, which is given to supervisors or bosses of an employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve for their support of the employee. Upon his return, they gave him the time and space he needed to learn new processes, acquire necessary certifications and reorient back to civilian life.

"We just wanted to make sure he came back to his 'home' on E-6N," Leah said.

The flag continues to sit on display at the nurse’s station on E-6N, a proud reminder of Anthony’s service to his country and gratitude to his team.

In the full life Anthony’s lived so far, he’s learned the important of relationships and caring for others.

“Taking that time to really build bonds and relationships with people is the highlight of everything that I've learned,” he said. “You never know who needs compassion and who needs kindness.”