Faith in Practice: Cathryn Williams Prepares Future Nurses to Care with Compassion
October 27,2026 | 3 min read
One of Florida College’s newest degree offerings, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, prepares students to care for patients, families, and communities across a variety of healthcare settings. Through a combination of rigorous academics, hands-on experience and a faith-based learning environment, the program equips future nurses with the skills and compassion needed to serve others. Cathryn Williams is one of the dedicated faculty members helping fulfill that mission, bringing years of nursing experience and a personal connection to Florida College into the classroom.
Williams attended Florida College before continuing her education at the University of Colorado Boulder and eventually earning her nursing degree from Emory University. She spent much of her early career caring for adult cardiology patients before stepping away from nursing for several years to raise her three sons.
As her children grew older, Williams gradually returned to the profession and eventually pursued a master’s degree in nursing education at Kennesaw State University. While preparing for the transition into teaching, she connected with Florida College’s nursing faculty and joined the department in 2025.
Now in her second year with the program, Williams points to two qualities that make FC’s nursing education distinctive: rigorous academic preparation grounded in a biblical worldview and a close-knit learning environment where faculty can invest personally in students.
The program emphasizes both classroom learning and practical experience, combining instruction, simulation and clinical training to develop the knowledge, judgment and skills needed to enter the nursing profession. According to Williams, students complete approximately 90 clinical hours each semester, with some semesters requiring even more. These experiences allow them to apply classroom concepts in real healthcare settings while gaining confidence in their abilities.
Beyond developing clinical skills, the program encourages students to consider how their faith influences the care they provide. Biblical principles are woven throughout daily instruction, emphasizing the importance of treating every patient with dignity, compassion and respect. For Williams, one principle stands at the heart of that approach.
“I want to teach students that everyone is made in the image of God, that everyone has inherent dignity, and that Christian service means putting others’ needs first,” Williams said.
Williams believes this perspective is especially important when caring for patients who may be sick, frightened, vulnerable or difficult to serve. She sees nursing as an opportunity to demonstrate Christlike compassion by recognizing the value of every individual and responding to their needs with patience and care.
That same spirit of compassion extends to the relationships between faculty and students. FC’s close-knit environment allows instructors to get to know students personally, guide them through the challenges of nursing school and share in their accomplishments long after graduation.
“We really get to know our students on such a personal level,” Williams said. “That means we get to celebrate their successes once they graduate, get their license, and start their jobs.”
For Williams, those relationships are an important part of what makes the program meaningful. She hopes graduates carry with them not only the knowledge and skills they have developed, but also the spiritual foundation and personal encouragement they received throughout their education.
“I hope that they remember the spiritual focus that we put on all aspects of this program,” she said. “I hope that they remember how much their faculty cares about them.”
As the nursing program continues to grow and graduates begin their careers, Williams remains committed to preparing the next generation of nurses for professional success while inspiring them to serve others with Christlike love, compassion and humility.
To learn more about our nursing program, click here.