A heart for healing: Amanda Jackson’s nursing journey

For Amanda Jackson, ICU Manager at AdventHealth Porter, nursing is more than a profession—it’s a calling shaped by profound personal experiences and a deep-rooted desire to care for others.

Amanda’s journey into nursing began with two life-altering events. At just eight years old, she lost her sister in a tragic accident. Later, as a high school student, she accompanied her father to a doctor’s appointment where he was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 34. “Both events are vivid to me to this day,” Amanda reflects. “They ultimately led me to want to care for others in any capacity that I could.”

Over the past 18 years as a nurse—and 25 years at Porter—Amanda has built a career grounded in compassion, resilience, and teamwork. One of her earliest memories as a nurse still gives her goosebumps: a young patient facing the terrifying decision to be intubated, not knowing if he’d ever come off the ventilator. “The bravery it must have taken for him to decide to move forward… thankfully, he was eventually discharged home,” she recalls.

Amanda’s passion for critical care was sparked during her time as a CNA at Penrose Hospital and solidified when she joined the ICU at Porter. “The team of nurses that got me through nursing school played an integral part,” she says, naming mentors like Todd Pedretti, Melissa McKay, Doug Hood, and Peggy Nagle. “It was their support and the incredible teamwork across departments that made me fall in love with the ICU.”

That sense of unity became even more powerful during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was the teamwork that brought me even closer to my peers,” Amanda says. “Surgeons assisting during procedures, intimate conversations with patients—it all reaffirmed that I was on the right path.”

Today, Amanda finds the most reward in seeing patients recover from their darkest moments. “We care for people on their worst days, and sometimes we get to see them go on to get married or graduate college. That makes all the hardships worth it.”

Her motivation? The people. “Our ICU team is amazing. We’re all different, but we bring unique strengths to the table. And it’s not just nurses and physicians—it’s RT, radiology, PT/OT, EVS, facilities, biomed, central supply. Everyone plays a part in our patient outcomes.”

Outside of work, Amanda finds balance through her family. She and her husband, Hollis, stay busy with their daughter’s swim meets and teenage adventures. She’s also planning a trip to Belgium with her mom and sisters to explore their family roots.

To new nurses, Amanda offers this advice: “Give yourself grace. Nursing is complex, and we’ll never know everything. It’s more than passing medications—it’s about the lives you impact.” And for those entering the ICU? “Never lose sight of why we do what we do. The little moments can change someone’s entire day.”

Amanda fosters a strong team culture by staying connected, jumping in to help, and recognizing others’ contributions. Her leadership is a testament to the power of empathy, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to patient care.