From ER nurse to family nurse practitioner: Jessica Devine’s journey comes full circle

For nearly 15 years, Jessica Devine has been a steady, familiar face in the Daviess Community Hospital Emergency Department — the kind of nurse who moves confidently through the chaos, offering both skill and calm when patients and families need it most.

Now, she’s stepping into a new chapter of her career.

This summer, Jessica officially earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Chamberlain University and passed her board certification with the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, earning her credentials as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) — a goal she’s been working toward for more than a decade.

“It’s been a dream in the making,” Jessica said, her voice warm with both relief and pride. “I’ve wanted to become a nurse practitioner since I was a teenager. Life took me on a few detours, but I wouldn’t trade the path I took. Every experience along the way made me a better nurse — and now, I think, a better provider.”

A calling that started at home

Jessica’s journey into nursing started long before college. She grew up watching two of her aunts — both nurses — care for others with patience, compassion, and strength. But it was her Aunt Jill, in particular, who sparked her passion.

“She was my inspiration,” Jessica recalled. “As a kid, I wanted to be just like her. I saw how she made people feel safe, even when they were scared. That stuck with me.”

In high school, Jessica joined the Twin Rivers Health Science program, which introduced her to the world of healthcare and allowed her to shadow professionals at Grand Avenue Pediatrics. One of those professionals — a nurse practitioner — made a lasting impression.

“I remember thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” Jessica said. “I wanted to be that person who could take time with patients, listen to their stories, and make decisions that really impact their care.”

After graduating high school, Jessica pursued her nursing degree, starting at Vincennes University, where she earned both her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing. In December 2010, she joined Daviess Community Hospital as a nursing assistant.

Growing roots in emergency care

From her very first shifts on the medical-surgical floor, Jessica knew she had found her place in healthcare. But it wasn’t long before the fast pace and unpredictability of the Emergency Department called her name.

“I transferred to the ER in 2012, and that’s where I’ve been ever since,” she said. “The ER is challenging — no two days are ever the same — but it’s also where you see the immediate difference you can make in someone’s life.”

Over the years, Jessica grew her expertise, becoming a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) and earning certifications as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for both adult and pediatric patients (SANE-A and SANE-P). She also served in relief leadership roles, including house supervisor, all while raising a family and balancing work with continuing education.

A family effort

Earning her master’s degree while working full-time in emergency medicine — and raising two young daughters — was no easy feat. Jessica credits her success to her support system at home.

“I could not have done this without my husband, Derrick,” she said. “He really stepped up — helping with our girls, cooking, cleaning, and holding everything together when I was buried in schoolwork. He made sure our daughters never felt like Mom wasn’t there, even when I was studying late or gone for clinicals.”

Derrick, the Chief of Police for the Washington Police Department, shares his wife’s commitment to service and community. Together, they’ve built a life centered on helping others — whether that means responding to a call for help or simply being a friendly face in their hometown.

Their daughters, Aubrey (7) and Addison (4), are growing up surrounded by that example.

“They’ve been my biggest cheerleaders,” Jessica said with a smile. “They don’t fully understand what Mom does, but they’re proud — and they’re the reason I worked so hard.”

Finding purpose in perseverance

Looking back, Jessica said the timing of her return to school couldn’t have been more perfect.

“When I first thought about becoming a nurse practitioner, I was young and eager,” she said. “But postponing it gave me the chance to grow — as a nurse, as a leader, and as a mom. The years I spent at the bedside, the patients I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned — all of it prepared me for this moment.”

Now, as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Daviess Community Hospital’s Emergency Department, Jessica brings both her clinical knowledge and her lived experience to every patient encounter.

“I know what it’s like to be scared or overwhelmed,” she said. “My job is to listen, reassure, and provide the best care possible — whether someone’s here for a broken bone or something life-threatening.”

Community first, always

For Jessica, staying at Daviess Community Hospital was never a question.

“This hospital raised me,” she said. “It’s where I learned what it means to care for people. The team here is like family — we support each other, and that’s why our patients feel it too.”

When she’s not at work, Jessica loves spending time with her family, reading, or heading to the beach — her favorite place to recharge.

And while the title on her name badge may have changed, the heart behind it has not.

“I became a nurse because I love helping people,” she said. “That’s still what drives me every single day.”