School of Nursing Ambassadors share hearts and careers: A WVU Nursing love story
West Virginia University alumnus Aidan Slusser and senior Ella Slusser have found love in the School of Nursing program and as School of Nursing ambassadors.
The Fairmont natives knew of each other in high school, but did not become close until they were both attending WVU. By December of Ella’s freshman year, the two were inseparable.
“I knew she was coming to WVU. I knew she was doing nursing. We talked about nursing a little bit. Once she came up here freshman year, we started hanging out and from then on, we were just together,” Aidan Slusser said.
From studying together to navigating the obstacles of nursing school, Ella has appreciated the unwavering support of having Aidan by her side in the same program.
“I felt really supported. There's obviously a lot of support at the school, but knowing he had gone through what I'm going through was comforting,” Ella Slusser said. “[Even now], while he's working as a nurse, we can relate to each other. I feel like a lot of times, it's hard for my friends to relate to what I'm going through in school or clinical experience.”
By the spring of Ella’s junior year, the couple was engaged. They recently tied the knot this past August, planning every detail during their school breaks. Married life has helped them feel closer connected while also creating a work-life balance.
“I think we do a really good job of making sure we do things that aren’t nursing related at all, like [taking] cooking classes and things like that,” Aiden said. “Separation between work and our lives outside of work is really important.”
Aiden and Ella were both part of the WVU School of Nursing Ambassador Program, though Aiden joined first. After receiving the email about the program, he applied and was accepted. A year later, Ella applied for the program.
“I wasn’t sure whether to tell my bosses that we were dating, but I decided to let her go through the interview and not say anything,” Aiden shared. “She did her interview, made an impression and was offered the position. Once they offered her the position, I let them know we were dating and everyone agreed to just keep things professional. It worked out really well—we got to be ambassadors together for a year.”
With family nearby, the couple plans to stay in the Morgantown area after Ella graduates this spring. Aiden currently works at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in the surgical ICU unit and plans to apply for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) school after gaining more experience.
Ella is exploring her options in pediatric nursing and hopes to stay in the Morgantown area after graduation.
When asked what advice they would give to couples navigating both nursing school and their relationship, the Slussers emphasized intentionality and finding balance.
“Be intentional with your time. It’s easy to let nursing consume your life. We always try to make sure we have experiences together, instead of just giving each other gifts and going back to studying.”
Aiden added, “Don’t listen to outside noise. People told us we were too young, but we knew what felt right for us. If you know, you know—just go with it.”
-WVU-
po/cm/02/14/25
CONTACT: Wendy Holdren

Director of Communications and Marketing

WVU School of Nursing

304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu