Bianca Iglesias, a graduate of Matanzas High School in 2014, has built her nursing career in the same community where she grew up. Inspired by the care her grandfather received during his final days, Iglesias decided to become a nurse practitioner.
“I watched my grandfather go through a tough diagnosis,” Iglesias said. “Even in his last days, I saw so much love and compassion from the people who cared for him. I realized I wanted to be that person for someone else.”
Iglesias began working at AdventHealth Palm Coast in 2016. She obtained her Registered Nurse (RN) certification in 2018 and later became an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), both with support from AdventHealth’s tuition assistance program.
She emphasized that this support was not just financial. Leaders and experienced clinicians provided guidance throughout her education and work shifts.
“It definitely helps coming from a smaller hospital. Those connections, you just can’t find them in larger facilities,” Iglesias said. “Without those relationships, I don’t know if I’d be so far into my career where I am now.”
Her transition from nursing to advanced practice was made easier by mentorship on the job.
“A lot of the clinicians were willing to take me under their wing and teach me,” she said. “Even on the floor now, when I ask questions, they’re always willing to help and guide. It makes all the difference.”
There is growing demand for nurse practitioners and physician assistants nationwide as health systems seek to expand access to care. This need is particularly significant in Florida due to rapid population growth and more physicians retiring.
Health systems such as AdventHealth are addressing these challenges by investing in educational pathways, team-based care models, and tuition assistance programs that help nurses advance their careers while staying local.
Iglesias is one of many staff members who have pursued further education through AdventHealth’s tuition program, which aims to build a skilled workforce and improve access to care in Flagler and Volusia counties.
In East Florida Division of AdventHealth, strategies include tuition support, mentorships, and collaborations with local schools to retain talent within communities.
With over 11,000 employees—including more than 200 advanced practice providers across 18 specialties—AdventHealth is among the largest employers in the region. The organization’s approach provides opportunities for residents like Iglesias to develop long-term careers in healthcare.
“Bianca’s dedication to learning and serving our community truly reflects the heart of AdventHealth,” Kristen Sutton, chief nursing officer for AdventHealth’s Flagler and St. Johns market said. “Her story shows the impact of investing in our people and helping them grow right here at home, where their compassion and connection make the greatest difference.”
For Iglesias, connection remains central—to patients, colleagues, and her hometown—and she credits ongoing education and encouragement as key supports throughout her journey.
“When I think about my career, I think about the people,” she said. “That’s what keeps me learning and showing up every day.”
AdventHealth Orlando is based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1908 with Terry Shaw as its current president, it features a pediatric ward and serves as a training hospital.
