Each week, Abbie Herman (English ’10, Nursing ’23) clocks in, opens the First Aid Clinic at Pensacola Christian Academy (PCA), and readies herself for another day of helping students. Some of the care she offers is routine—from giving medications to putting adhesive bandages on skinned knees—while other days are full of surprises. As she helps even the youngest Academy students, Abbie tries to find ways to share tips for staying healthy or comfort students when they are sick. Each day, she knows this is a position God has called her to and helped her reach despite the challenges of changing careers, earning a second degree at Pensacola Christian College, and caring for her family.
A Shift in Desires
Shortly after completing her first bachelor’s degree in English in 2010, Abbie began working as a customer service representative for Abeka. During this time, she and her husband, Roger, welcomed four children into their family. “I knew I wanted to be a wife and mom, and I did that plus work part time for nine years; but then God started to change my desires,” Abbie said.
As Abbie saw her mother, Dr. Tracey Haire, help care for Abbie’s grandfather during his last few years of life, she began noticing a subtle change in herself. At first, Dr. Haire, who is a PCC nursing instructor, worked with a nursing home to care for Abbie’s grandfather; but, “He ended up coming to live with us during the last year of his life, and Mom was able to help get his medications straightened out and improved his quality of life,” Abbie explained. “As I watched and helped my mom, I realized that although I could help with basic needs, I would not be able to help my parents later with medications and other medical questions.”
With a college degree and a well-established job, Abbie had gotten into a comfortable routine, yet she explained, “I believe this was God putting the desire in my heart to go back to school to help take care of my family now and later.”
“God started to change my desires.”
Going back to school to get a nursing degree would mean completing clinicals and taking numerous science classes. While studying for her bachelor’s in English, Abbie had taken an extra mathematics class simply because she wasn’t interested in science; nevertheless, she registered for the nursing degree anyway—despite the academic requirements. “I started thinking He may have something else that He wants me to do,” Abbie said. “God changed my desires, and I enjoyed science classes and learning about the body.”
Balancing Family and College Life
The balance between family and college classes wasn’t easy, but Abbie Herman’s family and her instructors supported her along the way. Even classmates helped by explaining how to use more recent technology. “They couldn’t believe that I was doing PCC nursing school with a husband and four kids, but I couldn’t believe they were doing this as young adults,” Abbie said. She considered her previous college and life experiences as crucial to her success in nursing school, but either way, she found that “God calls us at different times in life and for different purposes.”
During her time as a nursing student, Abbie could often be found toting around class materials while also supporting her kids, who were all under the age of twelve. “I would go to the kids’ games or activities with my computer or notes so that I could study and watch them,” she said. But Abbie also made sure to put her notes away on a regular basis, acknowledging that “usually Friday night was a non-study night so that we could have a movie night or do something else together.”
An Opportunity to Train Others
As soon as Abbie passed the NCLEX in June 2023, she began working as a nurse at Youth Outreach Ministry’s Discover Day Camp at PCA. Once the summer camp was finished, she transitioned to her current position, which she loves. “I enjoy seeing, teaching, and learning from the students!” Abbie said. “I get lots of waves as I walk through the halls, which is always fun.”
As a nurse at PCA, Abbie especially enjoys seeing her kids around the building and teaching students who visit the clinic about nutrition and healthy decision making. Looking back, it’s no surprise Abbie’s favorite class was Community Health. “Hospital nursing is important in healthcare, but it’s not the only part of healthcare. I enjoy the idea and motivation to teach people how to be healthy, do screenings, etc., before they need to be in a hospital,” Abbie shared. “PCC trained me that nurses are always teachers, and we have different opportunities to teach no matter what type of nursing we find ourselves in.”
Whether a child is visiting the First Aid Clinic for a stomachache or an injury, a medication or an ice pack, Abbie recognizes the influence she can have in the lives of hundreds of PCA students through her role as school nurse. “We never know what we are going to get during the day, so each day is an adventure,” Abbie said. “They may be coming down for a stomachache, but I can teach them about good nutrition and drinking enough water while I help them.”
“PCC trained me that nurses are always teachers.”
During nursing school, Abbie Herman consistently claimed the verse 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Though going back to school was hard, God brought her through, and the truth of this verse remains the same as she continues to fulfill her new calling as a school nurse.
“If you have a new desire to go back to school for higher education or a completely different career, trust the calling,” Abbie said. “[God] will supply the financial, emotional, mental, and physical abilities to complete the task that He has called you to do.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.