Hollin Macklin’s nursing journey began earlier than most. When Take Your Child to Work Day came around, she would accompany her mother to the hospital where she worked as a nurse, leaving Macklin with a lasting impression.

“Watching her provide care and compassion to her patients while balancing the demands of being a single mother was incredibly inspiring,” said Macklin, who now is a registered nurse. “She demonstrated resilience, dedication and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. It planted a seed for my passion for nursing.”

Originally from Ohio, Macklin would go on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014. She joined The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth in January 2024 as clinic nurse manager at HSC Health, the university’s clinical health enterprise. In addition, she is enrolled in the HSC College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing Innovation program.

When speaking about what inspired her to pursue her career in nursing, she attributed that motivation to her love of caring for people and the steady career path nursing provided.

“I started my family kind of early in life,” Macklin said. “I knew that I wanted to be able to be dependent and self-sufficient with a great career. I wanted to provide my child with the life she deserved while showing her the value of hard work and pursuing a career that is both fulfilling and meaningful. My mother’s example and my personal journey have deeply shaped my commitment to this profession.”

New beginnings in Texas

After school, she briefly worked at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, in the orthopedic med surge unit. However, she would pivot to home health and transition to Maxim Healthcare Services in Houston.

Quickly adapting to Houston’s humid weather and southern hospitality, Macklin treated Maxim’s predominant patient population: pediatric G-tube/vent patients. The experience motivated her to expand her career into multiple leadership roles, including that of a clinic nurse manager, where she supervised clinical supervisors who oversaw all the nurses in patient homes. A substantial part of her job was building processes and programs, identifying quality metrics and assisting in a required state audit.

Macklin’s primary focus was on ensuring regulatory compliance and quality care delivery, as well collaborating with leadership to align clinical operations with business objectives and payer requirements.

“I also traveled a lot to other offices to provide training and support, assisting with various clinical challenges they encountered,” Macklin said. “However, over time, I felt ready for a new challenge and a change in direction. That’s when I discovered HSC.”

New surroundings at HSC

At HSC, she oversees the clinical aspect of five separate clinics, where her passion for nursing continues. Macklin manages staff across the Center for Older Adults, as well as specialty clinics such as gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology and osteopathic manipulative medicine.

The environment at HSC Health does present some unique challenges unlike what she experienced at Maxim. However, the role offers a chance to contribute directly to process optimization and strategic resource allocation, aligning with her strengths in evidence-based clinical management.

“I have a passion for problem solving,” Macklin said. “I enjoy tackling complex challenges and finding innovative, efficient solutions that others may not have considered. It’s incredibly rewarding to see those solutions make a meaningful impact.”

Her curiosity also continues to grow and has motivated her to continue her education.

“I’m particularly interested in various aspects of nursing, including research,” Macklin said. “I had considered pursuing my master’s degree multiple times, but it wasn’t until I stepped into my current role that I recognized the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Her reason for selecting the new Master of Science in Nursing Innovation program is personal for Macklin. She also is interested in eventually enrolling in HSC’s MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.

“I’ve had recent experiences with family that have profoundly deepened my understanding and passion for this area of health care,” Macklin said. “These experiences have highlighted the critical need for compassionate, skilled mental health practitioners and solidified my commitment to making a meaningful impact in this field. By pursuing the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program, I aim to contribute to improving mental health care access and outcomes, drawing from both my professional expertise and personal connection to this vital aspect of health care.”

Her motivation for continuing to learn comes from her love of learning but also from her family. Macklin’s family consists of her 16-year-old daughter, Desiree; her husband, Mike; and two 100-pound Cane Corsos named Balou and Cane, who have all adapted well to life in Texas.

While her daughter has not fully committed to a field for her upcoming collegiate studies, Desiree does lean toward health care, nursing included.

“Nursing offered me the opportunity to be self-reliant, make a positive impact and instill in my child the importance of following your passion and purpose,” Macklin said. “What better way to motivate my daughter in her journey than to be a role model to her. She’s been watching.”

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