What about teaching energizes you?

Teaching, like nursing, provides an opportunity for ongoing learning. I love that a personal excitement for learning, combined with a caring nature and a desire to connect with others, can – through teaching – influence steps toward continual improvement (for self and others).

How has your background and education experience shaped you as a teacher?

My first staff nurse position (in organ transplant) is where I truly began learning – incorporating foundational knowledge/theory with clinical skills by working alongside experienced nurses who modeled the value of intuition and critical thinking. Transition to other clinical realms also hinged on mentoring relationships that helped to facilitate learning, build confidence and motivate me toward further study.

Who are your role models or mentors? How have they influenced you/your life/your faith/ your approach to teaching and/or nursing?

I have been blessed with role models who inspire me to love unconditionally, to pray persistently, to strive for continual improvement as opposed to perfection, to remain curious, to invest in others and to press into the hard things - always looking for blessings within the challenges.