Previous experience/background?

Emergency Department, Neuro-Trauma, and Nursing Leadership 

What inspired you to become a nurse educator? 

My inspiration for becoming a nurse educator stems from the wonderful examples of my past nursing professors. They prepared me well for being a Registered Nurse therefore I found passion in paying it forward as an educator. 

How do you incorporate real-world experiences into your teaching? 

I base each educational lesson on practice-ready examples by specifically focusing on assessment skills and early identification of sick vs. not sick. I have a repertoire of "stories" that I pull from to paint a picture of real patient scenarios. I have found this to be an engaging way to set the stage for what nursing will be like for future students. 

Can you share a memorable teaching moment that significantly impacted your students? 

The most memorable moment for me as a nurse educator was during a simulation debriefing. A student thanked me for providing her with the skills to put her knowledge into practice during a code-blue scenario. When a practice-ready mindset is used to teach students, I have found that students find the confidence to use the skills they have learned. 

In your opinion, what qualities make a successful nurse, and how do you instill these qualities in your students? 

A successful nurse needs to be science-driven with the ability to find the art in nursing. During my first interaction with students, we discuss if nursing is an art or a science. In fact, it is both. I teach students that nursing is a high-fidelity career that requires a sense of humanity and empathy. 

What makes you the most excited about UNI’s new Nursing program? 

I am most excited about the UNI Nursing Program because I am dedicated to this community and to nursing as a whole.  I am passionate about the success of each future nurse. Nursing is a gift, an opportunity to change a life. Being part of the UNI BSN program is an honor. 

Anything else you'd like to share? 

I also hope to educate on the importance of self-care and nursing mental health. Nursing is not just a career, it is a lifestyle. Long hours, holidays, weekends, and nights. The reward is greater than the sacrifice but self-care is a requirement for success.