A nurse on a mission to make things better

For Samantha Sherman, being a nurse isn’t just a job. It’s personal.

“I was that child who turned into a mini doctor whenever my parents were sick,” recalled Sherman. “I’d play the role of caregiver, not knowing it was foreshadowing my future in nursing.”

Sherman grew up in Lake County, went to Mount Dora Christian Academy, and watched her mom juggle nursing school while raising a family. This left a profound impact on Sherman’s desire to help people.

“I saw how hard she worked,” she said. “It showed me nursing is about showing up for people when they need you most.”

Now a leader at AdventHealth Waterman, Sherman is paying it forward. She teaches, mentors, and – through a new effort called Shared Governance – helps make sure nurses have a voice in the decisions that affect their patients and their work.

Letting nurses lead

Sherman recently stepped into a new role, coordinating the Shared Governance program – a team-based approach that puts decision-making into the hands of the people closest to patient care.

“The best ideas often come from nurses at the bedside,” she said. “We see the day-to-day challenges, and we also see the small changes that could make a big difference.”

The goal? To make sure every nurse feels heard, supported, and part of something bigger.

It’s not just about solving problems. It’s about building trust and creating a better experience – both for patients and for the people caring for them.

“She has such a heart for this work,” said Lisa Bowman, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Waterman. “She inspires the team to speak up, share ideas, and know that what they say matters. That’s how we grow.”

Lighting the way for the next generation

After earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Central Florida, Sherman worked at a Central Florida hospital, mastering her skills in postpartum and neonatal care.

Driven to be closer to home, she transitioned to AdventHealth Waterman, where she balanced her job with further education.

AdventHealth is committed to investing in the growth and development of its team members. Through this, Sherman was able to obtain her master's degree through AdventHealth's Guild program, which sponsors tuition for select undergraduate and master's degrees, providing team members with educational assistance and support for their academic pursuits.

After earning her master’s in nursing education, she spent time teaching at Seminole State College, helping the next generation of nurses find their footing.

“My grandmother was a teacher, and I guess that love for learning runs in the family,” Sherman said. “I love seeing students connect the dots, especially when they realize just how much impact they can have.”

A career that changes lives

Now, Sherman serves as the manager of nursing program development and Shared Governance coordinator at AdventHealth Waterman.

As Nurses Week is celebrated nationwide May 6-12, Sherman hopes more people will consider joining the profession that shaped her life.

“If you’ve got the heart to care and the courage to keep learning, nursing will give you a front-row seat to the moments that matter most,” she said. “It’s hard work, but it allows you to touch lives in ways you never imagined. You walk people through some of their hardest days – and help them find hope.”