Inspiring: Mother who lost son graduates nursing school

“Healing doesn't mean forgetting, and success doesn't mean you didn't struggle"

(OSGOOD, Ind.) – Osgood native Amber (Wilson) Bruser understands how life can change in a split second. 

She has experienced immense grief and sadness, but also understands that tragedy doesn't have to define who you are or stop you from finding success. 

In 2023, she decided to go back to college and pursue a nursing degree from Beckfield College.  

“I have always enjoyed helping others. I never felt as fulfilled in a job as I did many years ago when I was a CNA,” Amber said. 

Her schooling was in addition to working part-time and being a mother of three boys. 

She was preparing for clinicals and exams when her world came to a sudden stop on Tuesday, November 26. 

Her son, 19-year-old Landen Comer, lost his life in a traffic collision in Osgood. 

The same accident claimed the life of Landen’s co-worker, 24-year-old Nate Vogelsang. 

Landen’s funeral was held on a Sunday and despite immense hurt and sadness, Amber was at school the following day.

She took part in the last clinical of the quarter and also had proctored testing. Just days after losing her son, Amber scored high enough on the proctored tests to be exempt from final exams in both of her classes. 

“I honestly don't know how I pushed through, but I do know the support that I had was a huge part of it,” Amber said. 

The 2003 Jac-Cen-Del graduate felt support from not only her family and friends, but from the entire community. 

“There were childhood friends and classmates who reached out to me, and also Landen's friends did as well. It meant a lot to have that support from everyone,” she said.

Another level of support came from people she had never met, but who had faced similar tragedies. 

“There were mothers who had lost children who reached out to me shortly after Landen's passing. Those women were my beacons of light,” Bruser said.

Amber refused to let grief hold her back from reaching her goal of becoming a nurse.

She not only continued attending classes but thrived in the process.

She was named the BCANS (Beckfield College Association of Nursing Students) President which is a student advocate for the entire student body of all nursing programs.

Amber was also named to the Nursing Honors Society and earned the Nursing Leader Through Persistence Award through her nursing program.

“Finding success after tragedy isn’t about pretending the pain never happened. While feeling broken and consumed by grief or hurt or loss, growth is still possible."

“Healing doesn't mean forgetting, and success doesn't mean you didn't struggle. It means that you kept going when all odds were stacked against you,” she added. 

With her family by her side, Amber graduated from nursing school earlier this month and also earned her NLCEX prior to graduation.

She will be working as a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth on a med-surg unit and plans to further her education next year. 

One aspect of healthcare that she has always had a passion for is mental health. She hopes to focus on that along with grief support. 

“I'm also currently working on something to benefit our area and look forward to announcing it in the near future,” Amber said. 

Amber hopes sharing her experiences will help someone else who is going through a difficult time or struggling with the loss of a loved one. 

“Most importantly, I want people to see that light can reside beside darkness, and that you are stronger than you think,” she said. 

How You Can Honor Landen Comer

Landen was a volunteer firefighter with the Holton Fire Department and had dreams of becoming a career firefighter. 

“I couldn't think of a better way to honor him than to join your local fire department. Especially, if it's a volunteer department,” Amber said. 

Any volunteer fire department in Southeast Indiana would gladly welcome those interested in learning more or joining. Even if you have no experience, there is training provided.  

Stop by your local fire department and ask how to get involved if you have an interest in the field.

“Landen had a very big heart and would drop anything to help someone else,” Amber added.