By Ari Bloomekatz
Enquirer staff writer

Nola Riley attends a review seminar for the upcoming state board exam Thursday at Christ's nursing school. The Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

When Nola Riley was called to active military duty with her National Guard unit last year, she delayed her life-long dream of becoming a nurse and had to leave school only three months before graduation.

But now, a year later than she planned, Riley has completed all of her courses and will receive her diploma as a registered nurse tonight from the Christ Hospital Nursing School.

"I am so done with school. I am burnt out," Riley said.

Originally scheduled to graduate in 2003, Spc. Riley instead spent nearly six months as a combat medic with A Company of the 205th Medical Battalion of the Indiana Army National Guard in Kuwait and Iraq. She is among 129 students who will graduate today from the two-year program.

It wasn't just military service that delayed her dream of becoming a nurse. She dropped out of high school and had the first of her five children at the age of 15.

Riley, 33, who now lives in Milan, Ind., earned a general equivalency diploma in 1990, joined the National Guard unit at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and trained as a combat medic. She served until 1993 and later worked in warehouse jobs in Northern Kentucky.

She started nursing school two days before the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

After the attacks, she reenlisted in the Guard and her unit was called to active duty and sent overseas in May 2003.

Riley said it was difficult serving her country and balancing family and school obligations.

"I didn't want to let my military family down, but yet, I didn't want to leave nursing school. I didn't want to leave my kids," Riley said.

During graduation ceremonies last year, Teresa Goodwin, executive director of the nursing school, read an e-mail that Riley had sent to her classmates.

"I sure wish I could be there with you. But right now, I am needed in Kuwait to provide medical care for our troops," part of the e-mail read.

"A lot of people would've felt negative (about leaving school)," Goodwin said. "Her patriotism and commitment is admirable."

Riley returned from duty in November and immediately began work at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College to help finish her nursing requirements. Shortly after, she began taking courses she needed to finish at Christ Hospital.

Compared to conditions in Iraq, class has been a cinch, Riley said.

"This stuff is nothing. This stuff is controlled. You're in a controlled environment," Riley said. "Here (in the U.S.) you've got pharmacies. We didn't."

In early August, Riley is scheduled to begin surgical trauma work at University Hospital.

Laura Joy, one of Riley's clinical instructors at the nursing school, said it was no surprise that Riley came back from Iraq to earn her diploma.

"She was bound and determined that she was going to finish," Joy said.

E-mail abloomekatz@enquirer.com