Mother-daughter duo Casey Cline and Andrea Johnson reached a shared milestone in Spring 2025 — both earning MSNs in health care leadership and nursing education, respectively. Their journey reflects a powerful bond and shared passion for nursing and lifelong learning.
What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?
Casey: Nursing runs in my family. Both my mom and grandmother were nurses for many years. I have always taken care of people, so it seemed like a good fit. Once I began clinicals in 2013 as a BSN student, I knew that nursing was the place for me.
Andrea: I am a proud fourth-generation nurse, but the profession wasn’t my first choice. At 21 years old, I simply needed a job, and mom encouraged me to work in a local nursing home. Each day, I witnessed the skilled, compassionate care that restores dignity and comfort. The experience convinced me that nursing was where I truly belonged.
What encouraged you to attend the same college at the same time?
Casey: We are born Gamecocks. I have always wanted a degree from here. I want to change the future for nurses, and that means leadership. The online nursing program has a great reputation, so I knew their health care leadership track would help me reach my goal.
Andrea: The university has always felt like home. The college's No. 1 ranking for online MSN programs, multiple years running, made the decision easy. Enrolling together meant built-in accountability partners, double the school spirit and one unforgettable family milestone.
Did being in the MSN program together offer any unexpected lessons?
Casey: It was nice to be able to share this experience with Andrea. We had the same breaks, got to know the college schedule, and discussed the program together. On FaceTime, we talked about the curriculum and difficult assignments or group projects. I was also able to share some textbooks with her, which was a savings.
Andrea: Working on a group project while living in different states reminded us how much clear communication matters. Comparing assignments, trading resources, and simply talking things through gave us both a better understanding of each other's specialties and showed how collaboration can bridge both distance and disciplines.
What message would you share with other families considering going back to school together?
Casey: I think the experience is less stressful when you have someone to share it with, especially for non-traditional students. You can commiserate on tough classes or weeks, but also celebrate the good weeks, semester ends and then graduation. The support you provide for each other is unmatched by any other experience. It's been a lot of fun.
Andrea: Do it – together! The journey is demanding, but a shared experience turns stress into teamwork and triumphs into family victories. Even 950 miles apart, we leaned on each other for pep talks, quick reality checks, and the occasional proofreading session.
What does it mean to you to graduate together?
Casey: Andrea is my firstborn. It is amazing for me to reach our dreams together, even many years later. I am so proud of the person she has become, and I am just honored to be part of this experience. We have always been close, but this has bonded us in a different way.
Andrea: Walking across the stage side by side brought four generations of nursing in our family into one unforgettable moment. My lifelong cheerleader was in the same cap and gown, proving that growth has no age limit and family legacies can evolve together. It’s a story we will be sharing and, hopefully, inspiring others with for years to come.