Mother, daughter pursue nursing careers through education partnership

Mother, daughter pursue nursing careers through local education partnership

In a hospital hallway in Palm Coast, Kristen Sutton sometimes sees the beginning of her own career reflected in her daughter.

Alexis Sutton, 25, moves between patient rooms as an emergency department technician at AdventHealth Palm Coast while studying nursing at Daytona State College. She plans to continue her training at the same hospital where her mother now serves as chief nursing officer for Flagler and St. Johns counties.

“It takes me back,” Kristen said. “My own journey started at AdventHealth more than 20 years ago as a patient care technician with a nursing school acceptance letter in my hand. People took a chance on me and helped me grow.”

Kristen moved through roles including unit secretary, telemetry technician and registered nurse in a variety of care settings before stepping into leadership.

Now, she is watching her daughter Alexis take similar first steps.

For Kristen, that path represents more than a career ladder. It reflects the kind of environment that helped her build confidence over time.

“You learn skills in school,” Kristen said. “But confidence comes from being there for patients, from seeing things unfold and knowing how to respond.”

That same approach is shaping Alexis as she prepares to enter the field.

With graduation next year, Alexis is looking forward to becoming a nurse.

“I’ve learned how much the small things matter,” Alexis said. “How you talk to someone, how you listen, how you help them feel a little more at ease.”

The Suttons’ experience reflects AdventHealth’s broader efforts to prepare more nurses within the region. Locally, the organization has expanded its partnership with Daytona State College to create a clearer path from the classroom into patient care through tuition support, student scholarships, a nurse residency program for new graduates, and clinical training models where students work alongside experienced nurses. AdventHealth also established an endowed fund at the college to help support future nursing students.

Health systems across the country are working to bring more nurses into the workforce as experienced caregivers retire and patient needs continue to rise. Local leaders say stronger connections between education and hands-on training are becoming increasingly important.

For Alexis, those opportunities have made the transition into patient care feel more real.

“It starts to click when you’re actually here, caring for patients,” she said. “I feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself.”