'Bachelor' contestant Rachel Nance's love with Joey is a 'slow burn'
- Rachel Nance is one of the final four women competing on season 28 of "The Bachelor."
- She lives in Hawaii and works as a nurse in the ICU.
Rachel Nance and Joey Graziadei's romance developed in reverse on "The Bachelor," starting with a fake wedding toast and first dance in week two and working backward to forming a meaningful connection over time.
On the show, Rachel described herself to Joey as a "slow burn" because she's hesitant to open up too much based on experiences in her past relationships. Now, she's one of the final four women that Joey has selected for the upcoming hometown dates.
As the competition gets down to the wire, here's a closer look at Rachel's life beyond the reality TV show.
She's a 27-year-old ICU nurse from Hawaii
Rachel turned 27 days after the season 28 premiere of "The Bachelor."
She graduated from the University of Maine at Fort Kent with a bachelor of science in nursing in 2020. She was also a member of the volleyball team. Prior to that, Rachel attended Cal State Fullerton.
Rachel opened up to Joey about the challenges of her career and difficulty finding a partner who's understanding of the demands of her job after going on their first one-on-one date in Spain.
In an Instagram post shared after the episode aired, Rachel explained that nursing isn't her "entire identity," but it is a significant part of who she is.
"It has allowed me to see humanity in a different light. Gain a new perspective on life and what to be grateful for," she said.
She loves traveling and exploring the outdoors
A quick glance at Rachel's Instagram profile indicates that she has an affinity for nature and outdoor activities. She's gone on road trips, visited Mount Rushmore, and completed a Spartan race.
"I hope whoever I marry loves to travel as much as me," Rachel captioned a photo of the sky that was taken from the window of an airplane and posted in 2020.
She's a big fan of the TV show 'Friends'
Her Instagram profile is filled with references to "Friends," from Chandler Bing's bubble bath to Ross Geller's holiday armadillo and the fountain from the opening credits.
"Rachel Nance on paper, Rachel Green at heart," she captioned a photo shared on Instagram in September.
She views her parents' relationship as the epitome of true love
Rachel gave her parents a shout-out on her Instagram, thanking them "for displaying the true meaning of love."
"If I can find a love half as pure as my parents I will consider myself blessed," she captioned a post about them. "My dad is the true definition of a man and my mom is a perfect partner for him. They are the best example of what all humans deserve. A raw and selfless form of love."