In Her DNA
Angie Hacker teaches nursing not only by the book but by example
BY ROBERT HALCOMB | Staff Writer
Angie Hacker has been an ER nurse for 15 years while also being an adjunct instructor for the University of the Cumberlands .
Her journey to become a nurse was practically one of a destiny : her entire family , dating back to her Navy Combat Medic grandfather , worked in the medical field .
Angie Hacker ’ s pedigree of medicine , along with hearing countless stories about her grandfather ’ s missions in Vietnam , inspired her to one day pursue a job in the medical field as well .
Her mother , a longtime medical assistant , had long dreamed of becoming a nurse but could not spare the resources to do so .
Despite this , Hacker ’ s mother never relinquished her dream , and when Angie found herself unsure of what degree to pursue in college , her mother Sandra Brown suggested they both apply to nursing school . And that is what they did . Every morning , Hacker and her mother would drive from Manchester and Corbin respectively , meet in London , and then drive to neighboring Pulaski County to attend nursing classes at Somerset Community College .
The mother-daughter tandem studied together , trained together and graduated together .
Though both had completed the same
Angie Hacker standing outside of Saint Joseph London where she works as an ER nurse . | PHOTO BY ROBERT HALCOMB
program , Hacker often felt timid during her time as new nurse .
She said , “ I would be standing in the corner with my arms crossed , hoping someone else would take charge .”
Her mom , already experienced in the medical field , would often be the one to
“
ER nurses are a different breed . We are messy . We throw trash in the floor during an emergency . We throw gloves at the trash in a hurry . But , we also throw ourselves into the moment people need us the most ...”
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