Climbing the Ladder to a Dream Career at WVU Medicine

For Berkeley County native Cassie Czaja, the journey to becoming a nurse practitioner wasn’t linear, but it was intentional. With a lot of hard work and help from WVU Medicine’s tuition assistance benefits, Cassie has carved her path to a fulfilling and rewarding career at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. 

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Cassie worked in the software industry for five years before changing her course, looking for something more fulfilling.  

“I wanted to pursue a path with a more personal touch,” Cassie said. “And what’s more personal than nursing?” 

That realization led her to healthcare, and subsequently, back home.  

Cassie enrolled at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to pursue nursing, balancing school with part-time catering work at Berkeley Medical Center. That role soon evolved into hands-on patient care, eventually leading her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she completed her capstone and discovered her passion for critical care.  

“It’s an honor to provide the absolute best care and support to patients and families who may be experiencing the scariest moments of their lives,” Cassie said. 

Over the next nine years, Cassie’s work grew within the ICU. She served as a staff nurse, charge nurse, and trusted team member. With support from WVU Medicine, she used the tuition assistance program to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing and later earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Shepherd University  

And she did it all while continuing to work night shifts in the ICU.  

Cassie’s story reflects WVU Medicine’s commitment to investing in its people and empowering them to grow without leaving the community they call home. Today, Cassie proudly serves as a Nurse Practitioner for the ICU at Berkeley Medical Center. 

“There’s something incredibly meaningful about serving the community that raised you,” she said. “I find comfort in working alongside people who feel confident in the care we are providing and who choose to make a lifelong commitment to this community.”  

If you’re looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare with opportunities to advance your education, check out what's available at WVU Medicine here: WVU Medicine Careers | WVU Medicine