Heather Kelley (’26) is graduating with her master’s degree in nursing, supported by her professors, faith and family.
Shortly after Heather Kelley began the Master of Science in Nursing program in March 2023, her son Kaleb—4 years old at the time—was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The question quickly became unavoidable: How could she manage life’s challenges while pursuing a demanding academic program?
“God answered my prayer,” Kelley said. “It hit me kind of out of nowhere. If I quit now, what am I showing my 4-year-old son?”
She knew, deep down, that this was a defining moment—not only for her, but for him.
“It was literally life or death for him, so I stuck with it, and now I’m glad I did,” Kelley said.
Facing unexpected challenges
This was not the only challenge her family faced. Her 15-year-old, Kameron, began experiencing mental health issues and attempted suicide. Her husband was also diagnosed with skin cancer, and Kelley herself discovered she was carrying a breast cancer gene.
Through it all, she stayed in close communication with her professors. “They were just like, oh my gosh, what else could you be going through?” she said. She continued forward with God’s grace, meeting each challenge as it came. Still, there were decisions she had to make.
“I can’t hear the word cancer in this house again right now, so I elected to undergo a double mastectomy and experienced complications. What was supposed to be two pretty easy surgeries turned into four,” Kelley said.
Looking back on this time, Kelley says she can finally breathe. It was a difficult season, one that tested her in new ways, but she never felt alone. Her professors remained in touch. “I felt very supported at Concordia throughout this whole experience,” Kelley said.
Jennifer Nicpon, DNP, FNP-BC, DCNP, APNP, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, said, “Despite facing significant challenges, Kelley remained steadfast in her dedication and focus, never wavering from her calling to become an advanced practice nurse. Guided by her faith and commitment to serving others, she continually listened for God’s direction. She is both knowledgeable and compassionate, and her future patients will be truly blessed to have her on their care team. Her strength is an inspiration to those around her.”
As a caregiver
Even in the midst of her own challenges, Kelley remained grounded in her faith and her commitment to others.
As a mother of four, she is no stranger to caring for others, especially during difficult times. She has also been a registered nurse since graduating with her RN in 2017, followed by her BSN in 2020. Kelley believes in lifelong learning. She was originally premed when she met her husband.
With her husband in the military, however, she chose a slightly different educational path. She knew it would be difficult to attend medical school where he was stationed or secure a nearby residency, short of joining the military. So she chose to go for her RN and then become a nurse practitioner, which was kind of the plan all along. “It’s just taken me a while to get there.”
Kelley’s passion for caregiving stems from an experience she had in high school when her grandpa was sick with lung cancer.
With a variety of problems occurring because of the cancer, he needed around-the-clock care. “As a family, we took shifts,” Kelley said. She was only 17 at the time. “I would stay the night at the hospital and go to school the next day. I fell in love with caring for him.”
Kelley saw how the nurses treated him like family. “It was pretty inspiring, and I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life.”
God’s gifts
From earning her master’s degree with the encouragement of her professors to seeing improvements in her family’s health and the care she received at home, the gifts kept coming.
“My husband, my children, my in-laws and my parents have been extremely supportive,” Kelley said. “I think God just kind of took care of it from all angles.”
Kelley experienced God’s grace in both large and small ways.
“My in-laws and my parents watched our family falling apart from afar, and they felt kind of helpless, but they showed up for us every day. They were texting and checking in on us,” she said. “Their support meant everything to me. I’m very blessed, and I’m very loved.”
Today, Kelley is grateful that her sons are doing better and her husband is healthy.
“I am forever grateful that God guided me each day, turning a difficult situation into a lesson that shaped my perspective as a future provider,” she said. “It reminded me of the importance of compassion, individualized care and showing up for others during life’s most difficult moments, while never forgetting the family behind the patient.”
At a glance
- Who has made the biggest impact on your college journey? My husband and children, through their endless support
- What does graduation mean to you in one word or phrase? Rewarded perseverance!
- If your life had a theme song right now, what would it be? “Fight Song” (Rachel Platten)
- What’s your go-to comfort food when you need a pick-me-up? Broccoli and cheese soup
- If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend getaway, where would you go? A cozy cabin in Alaska under the Northern Lights
- What’s something small that never fails to make you laugh or smile? My kid’s laughter
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories highlighting a few Concordia’s uncommon graduates. Faculty and staff submit candidates for consideration. Stories are posted in the days leading up to or after commencement. View more uncommon graduates here.
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