From Air National Guard to UW-Madison Nursing School

The Many Hats of Mira Tcherneva

By Megan Hinners

When Mira Tcherneva x’25 was still in high school, she made what she considers to be one of the best decisions of her life. It is a decision that has significantly shaped who she is, guided her to pursue a career in nursing, and has helped prepare her for one of the toughest challenges she has ever faced.

In September 2018, the then-17-year-old Madison, Wisconsin, native enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115^th Fighter Wing. Initially, Tcherneva worked as a Tactical Aircraft Mechanic, also referred to as a Flightline Crew Chief. Now, six years later, she has re-enlisted for another six-year stint with the 115^th Fighter Wing and has transitioned to working with the new F-35 jets as a Quality Assurance Specialist (QA).

Tcherneva has accomplished and seen quite a lot during her time with the 115^th Fighter Wing. In 2021-22, she was deployed to both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. There, she served as a Dedicated Crew Chief (DCC) for the F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, handling maintenance, inspections, and coordination for the aircraft. “[It] demanded precision, attention to detail, and quick problem-solving skills; qualities that are essential in nursing, particularly in patient care,” said Tcherneva.

She notes that her deployment was an unforgettable experience, especially working night shifts with an incredible team of people. “There was something deeply fulfilling about watching the jets take off in the early hours of the morning and then seeing the desert sunrise,” she said, adding, “It was absolutely breathtaking.”

She also recalls that her initial experiences in basic training, as well as her deployments, helped her shift her perspective. Spending four months living out of two large bags taught her to embrace a whole new set of values centered around appreciating life in its genuine form. “After basic training and technical school, I learned that life wasn’t about the materialistic things,” she said. “Sure, I lost some of that mindset once I returned back home to Madison, however, I regained the sense when I went to deployment.”

Tcherneva remembers living in a large, ventilated tent with around 10 other women. An eight-by-six space was her designated “room.” With two lockers, a camping chair that served as a both a seat and a nightstand, a prayer rug, and a few special items from home, she learned that she could truly enjoy the simple things. “There was no need to compare what others had or what I didn’t have; I was happy to live minimally and focus on the connections I had with the people around me,” she said. “It was an experience that truly grounded me and reminded me of what really matters.”

Her time with the Air National Guard has taught her a lot. “My experience working in diverse environments overseas helped me grow both as a leader and as part of a team. Building community and fostering relationships with those I served alongside was an incredibly rewarding aspect of my deployment. I’ve found that these interpersonal skills, along with the technical aspects of my military role, translate well into nursing.”

Along with the technical aspects, she has also brought her leadership and goal-setting skills that she has learned into her nursing education. In 2021, Tcherneva was named Airman of the Quarter at the base level, an award that recognized her commitment to maintaining the highest standards in her work. Now serving as Vice President of UW–Madison’s Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) board, she continues to build on these qualities. “[It] reinforced my leadership abilities and my dedication to setting and achieving long-term goals, which is something I continue to carry into my education,” she said.

For Tcherneva, enlisting in the Air National Guard has provided her with more than just the hard and soft skills she can bring with her into her nursing career, it has provided her with a family. “Over the past six years of enlisted service, I have formed some of the closest friendships of my life, friendships that feel more like family,” said Tcherneva. “These are the people I met in basic military training, where conversations were few and far between during our intense eight-week bootcamp, and those I met in technical school. They are scattered across the country and the world, yet the bond we share remains unbreakable because we went through the same experiences, supporting each other through challenges and victories alike, still talking till this day.”

She credits her military family with helping to make her job enjoyable. “Being a Crew Chief doesn’t even feel like work most days because I get to spend time with my coworkers, who have become my closest friends. I’ve had the privilege of going on some amazing trips with the Air Force, and the camaraderie we built, not only with each other, but also with people from parts of our base and other units, has been a gift. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. I love being part of the Air National Guard, and it has given me a profound sense of community that extends far beyond just the workplace.”

Tcherneva’s devotion to her extended military family comes from a strong foundation of family values instilled in her by her own family. “I became involved in the Air Force at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of my father, who had served in the Bulgarian Army,” she said.

Her family also influenced her decision to choose a career in nursing. “Growing up in a Bulgarian immigrant family, I witnessed firsthand the struggles my parents faced, including language barriers and cultural adaptation,” said Tcherneva. “One of the most profound experiences was watching my grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s from afar, a heart-wrenching situation that left my family desperate for compassionate and culturally competent care. This inspired me to become a bridge for individuals and families who are often marginalized and underserved, ensuring they receive the empathy and understanding they need in vulnerable moments despite cultural barriers.”

For Tcherneva, family is everything, and the influence her family has had on her nursing journey is one that has prepared her for the toughest challenge she has faced yet.

With her duties as Staff Sargeant in the Air National Guard, as well as the rigorous demands of being not only a nursing student, but also Vice President of the Student Nurses’ Association, one would think that Tcherneva was already juggling a lot. However, she has now added advocate to her list of many hats that she wears on a daily basis as she helps advocate for her father as he searches for a living kidney donor.

Tcherneva’s father, Dobrin Tchernev, is currently battling Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It is an experience that she notes as being one that has profoundly influenced her path to becoming a nurse.

Diagnosed two years ago with CKD due to Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, also known as Berger disease, her father faces the challenge of maintaining the same level of activity he once enjoyed. “His resilience, hope for a living kidney donor, and the impact of chronic illness on his life have further strengthened my decision to impact the lives of others facing similar challenges,” Tcherneva said. “These personal experiences have deepened my understanding of the importance of compassionate care and the critical role that dedicated healthcare providers play in any patient’s journey during life’s most difficult moments.”

Tcherneva with her father Dobrin Tchernev at her white coat ceremony in August 2023.

As a result of her father’s illness, Tcherneva is dedicating countless hours to advocating for him and helping aid in the search for a kidney from a living donor. Her father notes on a website dedicated to his search for a new kidney, “My family has rallied around me, sharing my story and tirelessly advocating on my behalf. Their support is unwavering, giving me strength on the hardest days when doubt creeps in.”

Tcherneva leans into the family values she treasures so much and is steadfast in her pursuit as she reaches out to her many networks to help spread the word about her father’s illness. In addition, she is able to utilize the leadership and organizational skills she has learned in the Air National Guard, and the advocacy and innovation skills she has developed in her time at the UW–Madison School of Nursing, to help her family in their fight for her father’s health.

For Tcherneva, her decision to pursue nursing is rooted in a foundation built from a desire to care for others and a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of the people she serves. With the many skills and abilities, she has learned through her experiences in the Air National Guard and in nursing school, she is able to rely on a solid foundation to help guide her through whatever challenge comes her way. She is grateful for the life experiences that have helped guide her to her path in nursing. “Together, these personal and professional experiences have shaped my passion for nursing and my commitment to providing the best possible care for those in need,” she said.

When she graduates in May 2025, Tcherneva has plans to pursue a position in the intermediate care unit at UW Hospital. Until then, she will use her many hats to continue to fight and make a difference for her father, as she and her family make every effort to find him a living kidney donor who could help save his life.

To learn more about Dobrin Tchernev’s fight for a new kidney, how you can help share his story, or to learn about what you can do to become a living kidney donor, visit https://www.nkr.org/CQV257.