Representatives from the U.S. Army's Jackson office were on The W campus to congratulate Hoffman on her achievement, which is the Army's most prestigious nursing award. In addition, she is the first student in Mississippi to receive this honor, according to Sgt. 1st Class Don Daniels, U.S. Army health care recruiter.

"Out of approximately 1,000 applicants, Amanda was chosen as the national recipient," Daniels said. "The Spirit of Nursing is given to a nursing student who has excelled academically and in the community."

Hoffman learned about the program from Dr. Linda Cox, BSN program director at MUW, and Janice Giallourakis, assistant professor of nursing at MUW.

"Initially I couldn't believe it was me," Hoffman said, noting the competition from bigger universities. "It's the highlight of my nursing career."

Hoffman will graduate in May and plans to work at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo in the critical care unit. She also plans to attend graduate school and get her master's in anesthesia.

Hoffman will be flown to Phoenix, Ariz., for five days for the actual Spirit of Nursing award ceremony that will take place on Sunday, Aug. 24.