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Families in Southern Adventist University’s School of Nursing are connected by care and united in their calling to serve. Several students and faculty recently had the opportunity to see each other in new contexts–a mother and daughter graduating together, a professor teaching her daughter, and a whole family using their training as they work in tandem in the medical field.

 

Growing Together: The Cooper Family

Strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” serenaded a mother and daughter as they both marched down the aisle to receive their Associate of Science in Nursing degrees during Southern Adventist University’s Commencement on December 14, 2023.

Called to Nursing

While in high school on the West Coast, Rachel Cooper, ’23, dreamed of attending Southern, but her family preferred she remain close to home. As she began college nearby, her mother, Jennifer Cooper, ’23, considered re-entering the workforce as an occupational therapy assistant. When the two participated in a group project at a nursing home, Rachel was inspired by how the nursing staff interacted with patients and found her own career calling.

Jennifer also felt drawn to the field of nursing after participating in the project. Later, while going through a divorce, she realized she needed to find a reliable career to provide for herself and her family after nine months of intense job searching turned up no opportunities in her previous field. She was additionally influenced by the book Counsels on Health by Ellen White, which describes how medical personnel will have opportunities to share the gospel with those whom the church cannot otherwise reach. “I decided that if the Lord could help me understand His good news, I needed to become a nurse as a way to offer that message of hope to others,” she says.

Around the same time, Rachel discovered Southern scholarships that opened doors for her transition to Tennessee to join the university’s nursing program. Meanwhile, Jennifer was applying to nursing programs at community colleges in California and Washington, where seats for the programs are given out on a points-based lottery system. After applying for multiple cycles without success, a friend suggested that Jennifer join Rachel at Southern.

Making the Move

After an exciting discussion with Rachel, Jennifer applied, was accepted into the same nursing cohort as Rachel, and began preparing to move herself and her family, including her 14-year-old son, across the country before the start of the winter semester.

Even though the pair attended the same classes, they rarely studied together. “We needed to make sure that we each understood the content on our own,” Rachel explains, while adding, “although, it was nice to have someone to remind you about a forgotten assignment and to be project partners with.”

Early semesters were quite difficult for Jennifer, as she was dealing with the emotional trauma of major life events and had been away from college for 25 years. She often found herself crying out to God. “Thankfully, He’s been faithful to bring information back to my memory. I’m grateful His grace is so good and so big!”

The familial relationship fostered friendly competition on test scores. Jennifer remembers earning higher marks on the first semester exams but shares that Rachel “pulled into the lead after that.” For other activities, such as designing crazy holiday sweaters for a department contest, the two would join forces and, in that case, win second place.

Seeing It Through

“I’m just really glad that I got the chance to do this with my daughter and have a precious memory,” Jennifer shares. “My son attends Collegedale Academy, right across the road, so it’s become a new home for us all. God really knew what He was doing in bringing us here.”

Reflecting on the ceremony, Rachel says, “Graduating with my mom was exciting, and I couldn’t stop smiling as we walked in. I could hardly believe it was happening all the way up to that point. I was so proud, seeing her walk up on the stage. It was a wonderful day that nothing could take away from.”

Jennifer feels similarly. “My heart was full of gratitude to God for bringing us to that day together, and it was also bubbling over with the pride He gives. Oh, how good it was to see that nonstop, beaming smile on Rachel’s face—and I was privileged to have an up-close view. I treasure this opportunity to walk this part of our journey side-by-side.”

Jennifer and Rachel both passed their NCLEX-RN exams and received their RN licenses this spring. They plan to remain in Southern’s School of Nursing to complete their bachelor’s degrees, hopefully by the end of Summer 2024. As the Coopers continue on life’s journey, they rest in the certainty that God will be faithful in guiding them every step of the way.

 

Mothering and Mentoring: The Showalter Family

As Christy Showalter, ’93, ’03, ’08, a nursing professor, introduces herself to the students of her Adult Health I class at Southern, just as she has for the last 14 years, her slideshow presentation includes a photo of herself with her family. If you look closely in the dimly lit room of students, one pupil in particular bears a striking resemblance to the young woman on the screen—Christy’s second child and only daughter, Maddie Showalter.

Alleviating the Pressures

Working together can put the pressure of additional expectations on any family. When asked about the first day teaching her daughter, Christy laughs. “Maddie would probably be surprised to know that I was really nervous. Students don’t realize how jittery the first day is for professors, but Christina Shrode, another nursing professor who has also had a daughter in our program, happened to be passing by. She spoke with me and prayed for me. It didn’t take long to settle in and do what I normally do.” Both Christy and Maddie were sensitive to keeping their professor-student relationship in the classroom separate from the parent-child one. Christy remarks, “By God’s grace, it seems to be working really well.”

Maddie admits there have been times when it’s been a challenge to their filial relationship. “Sometimes she may think I’m her biggest critic, because I’m her daughter,” says Maddie. “When I ask her a question, I want her to know that it is as a student who’s genuinely looking for answers and not that I’m critiquing her. There’s a barrier between ‘mom’ and ‘teacher’ sometimes, which can be hard to navigate. But we’ve definitely worked out the kinks and are doing great now.”

Maddie says these moments have improved their communication as adults. “There’s growth for sure. We’re seeing different sides of each other.”

Christy does worry about disappointing Maddie. “I also want to avoid favoritism,” she adds. “In trying to be fair, I learned that I need to be patient and not defensive. That was a turning point for me; remembering that she is like the other students.”
Meaningful Moments

Christy is enjoying this rare seat from the front to watch her child’s academic and personal growth. “Most parents don’t get this experience. They might only be able to ask how classes are going. I do recognize that I have this amazing vantage point. It’s pretty special when I see light bulbs turning on for her, and I’m so, so proud of her!”

Having parents who understand firsthand how rigorous the nursing program is has given Maddie encouragement. “They told me that if my heart is in it, then I can do it. They’ve been very supportive.” Her mother, as a mentor, has inspired her. “It’s a beautiful thing that I get to see my mom in this place where she thrives and to learn from her. She is my role model, and I strive to be like her.”

The shared profession has bonded mother and daughter in a special way. Maddie says, “We always have things to talk about, even on an intellectual level. When I learn from what she’s passionate about, it makes me feel more confident of my decision to be in this program.”

However, Maddie is clear on what she appreciates most about being in her mother’s class. “I can see that she is not only so passionate about nursing, but also so passionate about the Lord. That inspires a lot of people in my class, including me, to grow deeper in our faith in God. Her passion for that just shines, and it’s really beautiful!”

 

From Children to Colleagues: The Johnson Family

Cindy Johnson, ’84 and ’07, DNP, is another parent in the School of Nursing who has had the pleasure of wearing two hats—professor and mother. Her more than three decades as a nurse in the emergency room, intensive care unit, and post-anesthesia care unit inspired her daughters, Jessica and Ashley, to enroll in Southern’s nursing program, where Cindy coordinates and teaches in the simulation lab. Cindy enjoyed the additional privilege of working alongside her children when they became colleagues at Erlanger Health System.

Jessica (Johnson) Weber completed her associate degree in 2017 and her bachelor’s in 2018, while Ashley (Johnson) Finley finished her associate degree in 2022 and just graduated last spring with her bachelor’s.

A Family Affair

Cindy began her own career as a nurse at Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga in 1989. When she started teaching at Southern in 2007, she continued working a few days each month in the post-anesthesia care unit. While seniors in high school, her daughters were each selected to join Erlanger VolunTEENs, a hands-on summer program in which students help hospital staff and patients in clinical and non-clinical settings while exploring their interests in the medical field.

“The experience cemented their desire to work in healthcare, particularly nursing. Later, both Jessica and Ashley worked as nurse techs at Erlanger before their final semester of nursing, then transitioned into nursing roles,” Cindy explains.

“I always knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field. We were surrounded by it,” Ashley shares.

“Then, after shadowing as a teen at Erlanger, I fell in love with the hospital setting. Now, as an ICU nurse, I’ve learned to use critical-thinking skills quickly.”

Leaning On Each Other

The passion for medicine runs deep in the hearts of the Johnsons. Cindy and her husband, Tim, met while volunteering at the Tri-Community Fire Department in Collegedale, where all four have since worked on the medical team – Ashley and Tim as emergency medical technicians, and Jessica and Cindy as emergency medical responders.

“There were plenty of nights when all four of us were on the same truck,” Ashley states. The pressure of being the first responders to a call has gelled them as a team. Jessica reflects, “When we worked together to heal wounds or do CPR, we fell into natural roles, with mom or dad leading on the scene.” Ashley adds, “It was a benefit to have learned from their medical knowledge. We work well together, and then, after a call, we debrief with the team and as a family.”

The family’s service to the community carries on into the hospital. Both daughters practice nursing at Erlanger Health System—Jessica as a specialized “Red Shirt” on the trauma critical care team and Ashley in the shock intensive care unit. Although assigned to different departments, there are times when the sisters’ jobs intersect, especially since they both work the night shift.

“Over the years, we all have been on many scenes together providing medical care,” Cindy states. “More recently, on several occasions, I have ridden into the hospital on the ambulance, assisting the paramedic, before turning over patient care to Jessica, who has then taken the patients to the trauma unit and handed them off to Ashley.” 

Love Of Learning

The family’s work includes equipping the next generation of healthcare workers. Cindy, Jessica, and Ashley have taught credentialing courses for the critical care areas of the hospital, including Basic Life Support. Their collaboration has also returned them to the classrooms of Southern, where they are Basic Life Support instructors for nursing students, resident assistants, and deans on campus. In addition, Jessica is an Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor and helps Cindy teach this course for the Leadership nursing students each semester. “It’s been a fun experience to come back and teach at the university where I graduated,” muses Jessica.

Education remains a powerful motivator in their own lives. Cindy earned her master’s degree in nursing at Southern and completed her doctorate in nursing education. One of the greatest pleasures, Cindy says, is watching her daughters continue to grow. “They have a love of learning! Their education didn’t stop at Southern, but it is where they embraced it, and it continues to blossom.”

Leaving A Legacy

Jessica and Ashley say that if they have children one day, they will provide the same example as their parents. “We were never pressured to go into the medical field or even nursing,” says Jessica. “It felt like a very natural course, because we observed the ways Mom treated others at school and work. I love my job of helping people and would share that with my kids as Mom did. If they choose that, it would be awesome.”

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