Madison Florian poses for a photo as she sits at her desk. Florian, a former Archer student, has returned to be the school nurse. “This is where I spent seven years of my life,” Florian said. “I’m very happy to be back.” (Photo by Lila Stotland)

In 2009, Madison Florian walked through Archer’s doors for the first time as an incoming seventh grade student. This year, she returned to campus in a new role: the nurse.

“Being back makes me remember the great times I had here,” Florian said. “All the friends and teachers I met along the way helped shape who I am today.”

After graduating from Archer, Florian attended the University of Arizona, where she studied Women Gender Studies and Anthropology. She said it took time to feel confident pursuing nursing.

“I always knew I would pursue a career that involved caring for people,” Florian said. “I have always had an interest in medicine, and when I was a senior in high school, I thought about going to nursing school but wasn’t completely confident in that decision.” 

Florian attended Archer from grades seven through 12, where she formed lasting relationships with teachers who helped shape her academic and personal growth. Science Department Chair Hanna Robertson was Florian’s grade level dean for four years and was also her first science teacher at Archer.

“She’s curious, kind, warm, and it did not surprise me that she came back to be a nurse at Archer,” Robertson said.  “I think her personality traits are absolutely perfect for her job because she loves to take care of people and always wants to make them happy.”

After graduating college, Florian worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Oakview Skilled Nursing while she attended nursing school, and graduated in 2023. Florian obtained her license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and started as a nurse in a surgical office. She later returned to Oakview Skilled Nursing as a nurse, and worked there for one year before applying to Archer. She saw the position at Archer as a unique opportunity to combine her professional experience with her personal connection to the school.

“I saw the position and was immediately excited by the idea,” Florian said. “So I decided to try it out, and right off the bat, I felt like it was a perfect fit for me.”

Transitioning from working with senior patients to middle and high school students was both noticeably different and meaningful, Florian said.

“With the elderly, I was honored to be a part of their journey at the end of their life,” Florian said. “It was a privilege to listen to their stories, ranging from childhood to marriage, careers and travels. In working with much younger people, it is truly inspiring to see the next generation of young women just starting their exciting lives.”

Florian said that Archer established a full-time nursing position only within the last few years in order to expand the school’s health services to better support students’ needs.

“The whole development of having a health office at all and having someone in a position to provide health services support on campus for students with allergies or day-to-day needs is really important,” Florian said, “whether that’s emotional or sometimes physical.”

Her peers recognized Florian’s compassion and empathy long before she entered the medical field. Camila Gazcon (’15), a close friend she met at Archer, said their experience on the middle school swim team brought them closer.

“I think Florian is extremely caring, funny and compassionate,” Gazcon said. “She has a very rare sense of empathy toward others, and she’s also very warm and very intelligent. I think that her personality traits are perfect for her job.”

Florian said that the Archer community played a key role in helping her recognize and develop her long-term goals in nursing because she went to school in such a caring atmosphere.

“I think I’ve always had a passion for caring for people and a passion for medicine in general,” Florian said, “and Archer definitely helped facilitate that.”

Robertson said that after returning to Archer just a few months ago, the community is already experiencing the wonderful impact Florian is making.

“She’s always been a curious, kind, warm girl, and I think those characteristics are perfect for her job and making a positive impact on Archer.”

For Florian, returning to Archer allowed her to combine her love of health care with a role in a community that helped shape her.

“This is where I spent seven years of my life,” Florian said. “I’m very happy to be back.”

January 29 2026. This feature was updated to more accurately reflect Florian’s nursing experience after college