Where are they now? Nursing alumna sparks imagination with children’s books

Augusta University College of Nursing alumna Natalie Horseman is both a leader in the nursing profession and a passionate storyteller, writing children’s books in her free time.

A double Jag, Horseman earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2006 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2011, both from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Between earning her degrees at AU, she worked in the operating room at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia with her mother, Barbara Adkins.

A close mentor

With over 50 years in nursing, Adkins is an exceptional role model, and she has provided Horseman and others with encouragement, guidance and inspiration throughout her years in the profession.

“Her example taught me the importance of choosing a career that offers dependability, growth, opportunity and something you can be genuinely proud of,” Horseman said. “Mentorship is essential in any profession, but in nursing, it’s truly invaluable. I’ve had the privilege of learning from many incredible mentors throughout my nursing career, but having my mom as one of them has been especially meaningful.”

Like any career in a demanding field, nursing can bring a steady stream of complex challenges and emotional fatigue. Horseman credits having her mother serve as a mentor who understood her on such a deep level with making a lasting difference in both her professional and personal journeys.

“I am proud to have followed in my mother’s footsteps. When I shared about a challenging moment, she always listened patiently and reassured me of why I chose this path,” Horseman said. “Those moments reminded me how powerful it is to feel truly supported by someone who understands both the work and the heart behind it.”

Channeling her creativity

Outside her professional work, Horseman continues to foster her love for education, mentoring and storytelling through authoring children’s books, drawing inspiration from childhood memories of visiting the library and reading with her family.

Horseman’s Goat on the Go children’s book series features her real-life goat, Scout. Ever the escape artist, his sense of mischief and curiosity inspired the adventures featured in the stories. The first book, Scout’s Muddy Day, was released in November 2024. Her second book, Scout’s Delicious Day, was released in April 2025. More books are set to be released this fall, with themes centered around social-emotional lessons, friendship and curiosity.

“I knew I wanted to write stories filled with curiosity, adventure, exploration and meaningful lessons,” she said. “My goal is to create books that are perfect for story times shared between children and their loved ones, books that spark imagination and build lasting memories.”

Horseman’s talent for writing extends beyond children’s literature, as she has also contributed chapters to several anthology series that celebrate women’s strength and resilience.

“Each chapter shares personal stories along with guidance and tools to support readers. The projects have been deeply cathartic, and I hope they inspire other women,” Horseman said. “Ultimately, I hope to create a meaningful body of work through books, guides and conversations that support families through various aspects of their journeys and inspire heartfelt connections.

“I’ve been surprised by the amount of joy and peace I’ve found in the creative process, and I know that I want to keep writing,” she continued. “In addition to children’s books, I am working on guides and resources for single parents who are dating and for families who are beginning the process of blending with children. In the next year, I hope to launch a digital resource hub for bonus parents and single-parent families.”

A career of helping others

After completing graduate school, Horseman moved to Orlando to work under the leadership of Barbara Meeks, the former vice president of Pediatric Services at CHOG. Together, they helped launch Nemours Children’s Hospital, a freestanding pediatric facility that began serving patients in 2012.

Horseman credits Meeks’ incredible leadership and mentorship for helping to shape her professional practice.

At Nemours, Horseman served as a perioperative educator and later a clinical nurse manager for Operative Services and Sterile Processing. During her tenure, Horseman received awards for her work in education and was named Nurse of the Year for Central Florida.

Her passion for helping children developed long before her nursing career, leading to her earning her undergraduate degree in Child and Family Development.

“During my undergrad years, I worked in a variety of settings, including a shelter for teens, a youth detention center, a preschool and a family counseling center,” Horseman said. “These experiences deepened my desire to advocate for children.”

Caring for children felt natural to Horseman, and, when she transitioned into nursing, she knew that pediatrics would be her focus. As a student and new graduate, she had the unique opportunity to work in the pediatric operating room, which she continued to do through most of her career.

“The majority of my professional journey has been dedicated to pediatrics, serving in clinical, educational and leadership roles,” she said. “Whether at the bedside or supporting teams behind the scenes, the chance to make a difference in the lives of children and families has always been at the heart of my work.”

After moving to Chapel Hill in the following years, Horseman worked at UNC Health as a clinical management engineer focused on quality and safety in perioperative services. She transitioned to Duke University, where she now serves as associate clinical director with the Duke Heart Network.

“In nursing, there are always opportunities to continue growing and learning,” Horseman said. “My career has taken me into a newer clinical area, and it’s been rewarding to broaden my expertise with exciting challenges.”