AUCON from abroad: Abby Wirthlin's journey to Family Nurse Practitioner
Abby Wirthlin’s journey to become a Family Nurse Practitioner began in an unexpected place: Okinawa, Japan. Her story is a testament to grit, the flexibility of Auburn’s Master of Science in Nursing program and the College of Nursing faculty who invest in their students’ success. For many nurses balancing demanding schedules, professional responsibilities and family life, graduate school can feel out of reach. Wirthlin’s experience proves that even significant obstacles can be overcome with the right support. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, Wirthlin began her career as a registered nurse and found her niche caring for cancer patients, eventually becoming an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN).
“Oncology nursing taught me the importance of compassionate care, patient advocacy, and building meaningful relationships with patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments,” she said. Although she initially expected to continue in oncology as a nurse practitioner, a transition into family medicine in 2021 changed her path. Working alongside nurse practitioners and seeing the impact of preventive care inspired her to pursue the Family Nurse Practitioner role. Finding the right graduate program, however, was not straightforward. Auburn quickly rose to the top of her list because of its reputation and national standing (U.S. News & World Report ranked the MSN-FNP program No. 6 nationally in 2026). More importantly, Wirthlin said Auburn’s graduate nursing faculty assured her they would work with her circumstances as a nontraditional student living overseas. After speaking with the admissions team, she said, “I submitted my application and began what would become one of the most rewarding educational experiences of my career.” Wirthlin started the program while stationed in Okinawa with her military family, managing coursework across a daunting 13-hour time difference. By day, she worked in primary care at the naval hospital and cared for her family. By night, she studied. Throughout the program, she navigated time zones, travel disruptions and the challenges of securing clinical placements from abroad. Her experience in Okinawa also shaped her approach to patient care. Working within a different healthcare culture gave her a greater appreciation for how cultural perspectives influence medical decision-making and strengthened her commitment to cultural competency. When Wirthlin’s family later relocated to rural Oregon, new challenges emerged as she prepared for clinical rotations. Oregon’s requirements for out-of-state students complicated clinical placement opportunities, while cross-country travel to Alabama for exams was frequently disrupted by delays and cancellations. Rachael Sweeney, AUCON’s MSN-FNP Program Coordinator, became a key advocate throughout the process. Sweeney obtained Oregon RN and NP licenses, traveled across the country for site visits and even cold-called clinics when placement options became limited. Her persistence helped ensure Wirthlin completed all required clinical hours. Wirthlin said those efforts reflected Auburn’s commitment to making the program accessible and supporting students wherever they are. While her core nursing values remain unchanged, Wirthlin said Auburn’s academic rigor and clinical training prepared her for advanced practice. “Beyond the knowledge and skills I gained, the program challenged me to become more resilient, adaptable, and independent,” she said. “Balancing coursework, clinical rotations, family responsibilities, international relocation, and extensive travel required perseverance and strong time-management skills.” She said the program prepared her to manage complex clinical situations and navigate the realities of primary care practice. What distinguished Auburn, however, was its culture of support. “Auburn's faculty truly care about their students, and their willingness to help was one of the most valuable aspects of my educational experience.” Wirthlin said she was never made to feel inadequate when seeking help. Instead, she felt encouraged, respected and supported by faculty who were deeply invested in student success. An unexpected clinical placement with the county health department connected Wirthlin with her mentor and ultimately led to her first position as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Mosaic Community Health. Today, she and another new-graduate colleague are helping pilot a fellowship program for practitioners entering rural and community health.
Providing comprehensive healthcare to underserved rural patients is demanding work, but it is also deeply rewarding. Wirthlin is proud of the impact she makes each day, and her journey demonstrates that nontraditional students do not have to choose between their personal responsibilities and a high-quality education. Reflecting on her experience in the MSN-FNP program, Wirthlin said, “Time and again, faculty and staff demonstrated a commitment to helping students succeed, regardless of the obstacles they faced. As someone completing a graduate degree while living overseas and later navigating the challenges of clinical placements and cross-country travel, that support made all the difference.”
** A note about the author: Emma Benson is a 2020 AUCON graduate, who previously worked as a nurse and has transitioned to a career writing about healthcare-related topics. Her experience as a nurse provides her a unique perspective as a writer, and we are grateful to have her contribute her talents to AUCON.
Comments