Generations of Nurses: A Mother-Daughter Duo Shares Their Story (Podcast)

For some families, nursing is more than a career — it’s a calling passed from one generation to the next. At Cleveland Clinic, that legacy comes to life in the story of Executive Vice President and Chief Caregiver Officer Kelly Hancock, DNP, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, and her daughter, Amanda Hancock, RN, who are forging their own paths in a shared profession.

"Amanda and I both cherish our family life and truly enjoy being with one another," Kelly says. "But our experience at Cleveland Clinic and shared love for the organization, for patient care, and for our profession has brought us even closer together."

In this special Mother's Day episode of Nurse Essentials, the mother-daughter duo highlights how nursing can adapt across generations while staying rooted in compassion. They also explain how their mutual commitment to patient care continues to strengthen their personal bond.

Click the podcast player above to listen to the episode now, or read on for a short, edited excerpt. Check out more Nurse Essentials episodes at my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/nurse-essentials or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast excerpt

Podcast host Carol Pehotsky, DNP, RN, NEA-BC: How do you think your perspectives on patient care differ across your two generations of practice?

Kelly: I don't know if the perceptions actually are different. I'm a firm believer that people are drawn to nursing because they believe they can make a difference in other people's lives. I’ve said this time and time again, but I can't think of a more noble profession. It's such an honor. I think [nurses] of all generations believe that and [understand] the impact they can have individually…and as members of a multidisciplinary team.

Pehotsky: Can you describe a challenging time in your career that required you to lean on one another for support?

Kelly: As a nurse leader — as a good steward of this organization — the COVID-19 pandemic was hard, especially when there were so many unknowns. I remember coming home every day and having conversations with my family…with Amanda…about feeling scared and vulnerable. I relied on Amanda to give me confidence: You can do it!

Amanda: Yes, we got to experience the pandemic together, which strengthened our relationship — and ultimately, our love for nursing. It was very difficult…everyone saw how hard COVID was on the nursing profession…but [my mom and I] could really relate to one another. I had to do my nursing school sim labs online. My mom would watch over my shoulder and help me study with flashcards. We spent a lot of time together during that period, so I’d say nursing school was a shared experience.