“People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel” – Maya Angelou
This powerful quote by Maya Angelou has deeply influenced my teaching philosophy, especially within Acute Care Nursing Programs. My own journey was shaped by incredible teachers and mentors who went beyond textbooks and lectures. They invested in me, understood my learning style, and provided honest feedback that propelled my growth, both personally and professionally. What truly set them apart was their ability to make me feel valued and that my contributions mattered. This feeling is what ignited my passion for education and drives my commitment to fostering the same environment for aspiring nurses in acute care settings.
Working with students in acute care nursing programs has become an absolute privilege. Guiding them to grasp complex concepts, master critical skills, and ultimately become confident and competent practitioners is incredibly rewarding. It’s about paying forward the investment made in me, contributing to a community of healthcare professionals dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. This relationship is also mutually beneficial. Through teaching, I continuously learn, refine my own skills, and gain new perspectives, often directly from my students within the dynamic field of acute care.
My clinical experience deeply informs my approach to teaching within these programs. My background includes diverse roles within the acute care spectrum:
- Nurse Practitioner in Hematology Oncology (Inpatient & Outpatient): Huntsman Cancer Hospital (2021 – Present) and Kindly MD (2023 – Present). This experience provides real-world insights into the complexities of acute and chronic conditions in oncology, directly relevant to advanced acute care nursing practice.
- Clinical Nurse, Medical Oncology Inpatient: Huntsman Cancer Hospital (2014 – 2021). Years spent at the bedside in a leading cancer center honed my skills in managing acutely ill patients and understanding the nuances of inpatient acute care.
- Travel Nursing, Acute Care Oncology: Intermountain Health Care (2020 – 2021). This experience broadened my perspective on acute care delivery across different healthcare systems and reinforced adaptability in fast-paced environments.
- Oncology Infusion Nurse (Outpatient): Huntsman Cancer Hospital (2016 – 2017). Understanding the continuum of cancer care, including acute episodes in the outpatient setting, is crucial for comprehensive acute care knowledge.
- Clinical Nurse, Urgent Care and KidsCare: Intermountain Health Care (2014 – 2015). These roles provided foundational experience in assessing and managing a wide range of acute illnesses across diverse populations.
- Medical Assistant, Family Medicine and Urgent Care/KidsCare: Intermountain Health Care (2008 – 2014). Early experiences in healthcare settings laid the groundwork for my nursing career and understanding of patient flow and acute care needs.
- CNA, Legacy Assisted Living Facility: (2006 – 2008). Providing basic care in assisted living instilled fundamental patient care principles and empathy.
Currently, I contribute to the education of future acute care nurse practitioners through courses such as:
- NURS 7471- Adult Gerontology Chronic, Acute and Critical Care I (Spring)
- NURS 7643- AGACNP Practicum III (Spring)
- NURS 7703- DNP Scholarly Project III (Spring)
- NURS 7641- AGACNP Practicum I (Summer)
- NURS 7644- AGACNP Practicum IV (Summer)
- NURS 6340- Hospital Medicine (Summer)
- NURS 7701- DNP Scholarly Project I (Summer)
- NURS 7642- AGACNP Practicum II (Fall)
- NURS 7702- DNP Scholarly Project II (Fall)
These courses are designed to equip students with the advanced knowledge and clinical skills necessary to excel in acute care settings. My passion for teaching, combined with extensive clinical experience, allows me to bring real-world scenarios and practical insights into the classroom, enriching the learning experience for students in acute care nursing programs and preparing them to become compassionate and highly skilled advanced practice nurses.
