Abigail Schafer x’27

Biography

“I chose the UW–Madison School of Nursing because I wanted to attend a school that felt like home while still challenging me to grow into the nurse I want to become,” says Abigail Schafer, who is from Oconomowoc. “I could feel how much people cared about the university and the nursing profession, and I knew I wanted to be part of that community.”

She hopes to begin her career in either emergency or intensive care nursing, where she can combine critical thinking, teamwork, and compassionate patient care.

Abigail’s favorite nursing school memory comes from a pain management simulation exercise that challenged her to troubleshoot a stubborn patient-controlled analgesia pump, reinforcing the importance of problem-solving and asking for help when needed. “At the time, I was frustrated and unsure of what I was missing, but it ended up being one of the most valuable learning experiences I have had in nursing school,” she says.

Abigail’s advice for aspiring nurses is to stay connected to the reasons they chose the profession, especially during demanding moments.

Outside of class, Abigail is an enthusiastic fan of “Jump Around” and has participated in a mission trip to Haiti.