Abby Messina ’25 has shaped her journey at St. Çï¿ûÊÓƵ through resilience, a passion for service, and a deep commitment to helping others - qualities that ultimately led her to the Presentation Sisters Department of Nursing.
Messina initially planned to study physical therapy, but family inspiration and personal experience set her on a different path.
"My grandma was a nurse," she said. "And then summer of 2022, my dad got diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, and I became his caregiver for the two months he was able to live. Those two months totally made me realize that nursing is exactly what I want to do."
The experience gave her a firsthand understanding of being a caregiver and helped her see nursing as more than just a career. It became a mission.
"I do really like taking care of people," she said. "Being a caregiver for my close family member really made me realize the impact I can have on others."
That mission grew even more personal when her mother was also diagnosed with cancer. The contrast between caring for her father, who did not undergo treatment, and supporting her mother through ongoing cancer care gave Messina a wider lens on the realities of nursing.
"I’ve had the difference," she said. "My dad did not get treatment, but my mom’s been undergoing treatment. I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from both ends. I’ve learned how to care for the patient and the family and just be empathetic."
She said these experiences also taught her the importance of caring not just for the patient, but for those around them.
"You need to understand that you will be dealing with caregivers. I was somebody that was totally going through caregiver role strain. I had no help," Messina said. "As a nurse, I’ll be more aware of caregivers themselves."
Messina’s family experiences ultimately influenced her decision to accept a position in oncology after graduation.
"I chose it because I've watched so many people give back to my family with it, and I know how important it is to have good nurses who care," she said. "I also feel like I have a different connection with patients with cancer. But I never compare our stories. That’s something I’ve really learned, to show empathy without crossing that line."
During her clinical and preceptorship experiences, including time in the medical ICU at the University of Iowa, Messina built confidence in her nursing skills.
"I felt like I wasn’t able to do a lot at the beginning of my preceptorship," Messina said. "But there was a moment where I was able to take the workload of three or four patients. That made me feel like, ‘Oh, I'm confident, I got this.’"
Outside of nursing, Messina’s involvement on campus extended far beyond athletics. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she first came to St. Ambrose to play collegiate soccer, but found a second sport, lacrosse.
"I came to visit, and I fell in love with the campus and the For being an NAIA school, I was impressed with the resources we have, like the and the ," Messina said.
She also founded the Sisterhood of the Bees, a women’s support organization that focuses on service, support and empowerment.
Organizing events like formal dances and cancer walks gave Messina and her fellow members opportunities to give back to the campus and the community.
"I think it was really fun to see a lot of people just having a blast," she said, reflecting on the group’s first formal event. "It was the first time I feel like Ambrose had something like that."
Managing academics, athletics and leadership roles required serious organization, a skill Messina credits for her success.
"I stay very organized," she said. "I have a spreadsheet of all my assignments. I like to get three or four weeks ahead of my assignments, and then I can just focus on studying."
Even with a packed schedule, she prioritized balance.
"There's times where you just have to sit down, breathe, go to the gym," she said. "It’s very important for you not to just eat, breathe, sleep nursing."
Throughout her time at St. Ambrose, Messina said, she was supported by professors who became mentors and friends. Through her journey on campus, she found a strong community structure that allowed her to grow and thrive.
"They really care about you," she said. "If it wasn't for Ambrose, I don't think I would still be here. With everything that I've gone through, the people and the environment made all the difference."
As she prepares to graduate and begin her nursing career, Messina carries forward not just clinical skills, but also the resilience and heart that were strengthened during her time at St. Ambrose.
Visit the nursing page to explore how St. Çï¿ûÊÓƵ can prepare you for a meaningful career in compassionate care.
