On Friday, two generations of one family will be among the more than 400 UCF students walking across the stage at Addition Financial Arena to receive a nursing degree. Their achievement will not only celebrate a family milestone but also contribute to strengthening the local nursing talent pipeline amid a critical workforce shortage.
With Mother’s Day nearing, the achievement and memorable moment will be even more special for the family, who calls Apopka, Florida, home.
Stacie pursued the online master’s degree in nurse leadership and management at UCF at the same time that her twin daughters Hannah and Elizabeth were in the bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) program on the Orlando campus.
“It’s everything I want to celebrate as a mom,” says Stacie Scarborough ’13, who recently accepted a position as manager of nursing professional development at AdventHealth Orlando. “Every parent dreams of seeing their children grow into happy and functional adults that have succeeded in flying on their own. They have done this and more.”
“I couldn’t be prouder to see them walk that stage and join them in doing so,” Stacie adds. “Sharing the same path right now is amazing.”
“I never thought that, after being so inspired by my mom’s nursing career, I’d not only graduate from the same nursing program as she did, but also do it right beside her,” Elizabeth Scarborough says. “I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity, and I will cherish this moment forever.”
Elizabeth’s twin sister, Hannah, shares the same pride and gratitude, making the family’s dual-generation graduation a truly unforgettable moment.
“I feel it’s made our UCF legacy much more impactful,” Hannah says. “It’s one thing to go to same school as your parents, but it’s another to experience that school with them.”
Supporting One Another
Since the family calls Central Florida home, all three have lived together while pursuing their degrees.
“Imagine three stressed-out students in nursing school living together. We all owe my husband, and their dad, a debt of gratitude,” Stacie says with a laugh.
“We also had a lot of great opportunities to share each other’s worries while building each other up and supporting one another,” Stacie says. “It is an experience that I will never forget and consider it to be an amazing gift.”
In addition to their clinicals and classes, both Hannah and Elizabeth who are Bright Futures scholars have worked as nurse techs while in their final year of the traditional BSN program.
“I am thankful for this position as it taught me a lot about patient care,” Elizabeth says. “I learned how important it is to take the time to make patients feel truly seen and heard, while also tending to their most basic needs.”
For Elizabeth, her favorite part of the program is the “things the rest of the world does not always get a chance to see,” she says.
“For instance, on the very first day of my OB (obstetrics) clinical rotation, I was able to assist in a live birth,” Elizabeth says. “Watching a baby come into the world, and seeing the parents’ instant love and affection for that little baby, was such a moving and emotional experience that I could never forget.”
“Throughout these past two years my mom has been a major support system and encouragement, while my twin sister has been my best friend and favorite study partner,” Elizabeth says.
It is those memories, both with her family and friends in the cohort, that Hannah says she will cherish the most from her time at UCF.
“Nursing school has become more of a wonderfully unique experience to me than simply a career path,” Hannah says.
Moms, and Nurses, Inspire
Hannah’s and Elizabeth’s decision to pursue nursing was inspired by their mom and fellow Knight nurse.
“Watching my mom go through nursing school when I was very young was very impactful for me,” Elizabeth says. “I remember hearing all of her nursing stories, how the job could be fun, challenging and meaningful at the same time, and it sounded like such a rewarding career to step into.”
Stacie began her nursing career at Florida Hospital (now AdventHealth) as a nurse resident in the orthopedic institute on the Orlando campus. She then became a nurse educator on the Apopka campus and part of the opening team as it transitioned to a new building.
She next joined the system team as a simulation facilitator for two years. While in this role, she says she longed to be back in the clinical environment, which led her to become an educator supporting the float pool team on the Orlando campus, where she was the assistant nurse manager of professional development for the cardiac progressive care unit. With her graduate degree, Stacie is able to make another transition in her career.
“Watching my mom balance her nursing career with a family was the main point of inspiration for me,” Hannah adds. “With nursing, she was able to be available for either weekdays or weekends, allowing our family plenty of opportunities to make fun memories as well as just do normal life together.”
Finding Opportunity at UCF
The family’s legacy at UCF began two generations before them. Stacie’s grandmother, Mary Kline, graduated from UCF with a business degree when Stacie was a new mom in her 20s.
That was the beginning of a legacy. Stacie followed in her footsteps and went back to school at UCF at age 35 and a mom to four children.
“I truly understood what a blessing it was to have this opportunity,” she says. “I was very proud of being able to finally complete my education, provide for some of our financial needs and doing so at my hometown university.”
The four are not the only UCF graduates in the family. Stacie’s eldest daughter, Jesse, Hannah’s and Elizabeth’s sister, also is an alumna. She graduated from UCF’s College of Education in 2015 and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at UCF.
“They each spoke highly of the culture and environment at UCF,” says Elizabeth. “It made me want to be a part of the UCF community too.”
Hannah also chose UCF for the family legacy.
“It’s local, affordable, and accessible with many academic options. However, the fact that my family had gone before me was a primary reason for me to go,” says Hannah.
These newest UCF graduates, and three Knight nurses, will no doubt continue to shine bright and show their Central Florida community the strength of Black & Gold.
After graduation, Elizabeths plan to continue to follow in her mom’s footsteps and apply to AdventHealth. Hannah will continue working as a nurse tech until she accepts a nursing position in the area.
“UCF represents opportunity, elevation, pride and family to me,” Stacie says. “I am just so grateful for a hometown university that made so many dreams possible for me and my family. It is truly an honor to be a Knight alumnus and to welcome my two baby girls (sorry, Hannah and Ellie, you will always be my babies) into this club.”
