Her role as the flawed but good Babe Carey earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2005 and recognition as being half of one of the show's most popular soap opera pairings.

However, it was not until she was discovered by renowned acting coach Jean Fowler, who encouraged her move to New York City, that she began to turn her talent into a professional career.

While in Los Angeles, California, Havins met and studied closely under the legendary acting coach Brian Reise.

"The on-screen chemistry she shares with Emmy-winning co-star Jacob Young is simply sizzling and truly magnetizing," stated soap opera site Soapcentral.

[9] While still on contract with All My Children, Havins appeared in films Joe Killionaire,[3] the 2004 horror-comedy by writer-director Sean Morton, Tracy Michele Tabb's 26-minute 2005 romantic comedy First Kiss,[3] Travis Betz's 2006 horror Joshua,[3] and Ash Christian's original off-beat 2006 comedy feature Fat Girls.

[3] On stage, Havins received credit in a production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie,[3] where she portrayed Laura, the painfully shy girl who has a troubled relationship with her aging mother.

She also portrayed the lead role of 12-year-old tomboy Frankie Addams, in the stage version of Carson McCullers' 1946 novel The Member of the Wedding.

[3] On September 4, 2007, it was confirmed by Soap Opera Digest that Havins would be leaving All My Children and that actress Amanda Baker would be taking over the role.

[19] After husband Bruening left All My Children, Havins exited as well shortly after and the couple moved to Los Angeles.