As I sit down to reflect on my journey from a dedicated NICU nurse to my new role as Dean of Nursing, I am reminded of the pivotal roles that resiliency and determination played in shaping my path. The road was not always smooth, but it was the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to challenges, and persevere through adversity that ultimately propelled me forward.

My journey began like many others in the nursing profession, fueled by a passion for healthcare and a desire to make a difference in the lives of infants and children. I embarked on this journey with enthusiasm, eager to learn and grow in a field that holds such immense importance in our society.

Over the past 26 years as an RN, I have navigated through ups, downs, and sometimes, dizzying turns. My biggest incubus has always been self-doubt and feeling that I am “not enough”. This was especially true when I couldn’t change an infant’s prognosis while holding grieving parents in my arms. There have been moments when I faced criticism in my role as a growing leader and instances where the path ahead seemed unclear; yet, in each of these moments, I found the strength to keep moving forward, allowing both my moral compass and determination to climb high mountains when oxygen felt low.

One of the most significant turning points in my career came when I was presented with the opportunity to step into a leadership role as the Dean of a nursing school. It was a moment filled with both excitement and trepidation, as I grappled with the enormity of the responsibility that lay before me. I knew that leading an institution of higher education would require a unique set of skills and capabilities, but I was determined to rise to the occasion.

In my role as Dean, I quickly realized that resiliency would be more important than ever before. Leading a nursing school in today's ever-changing healthcare landscape is not without its challenges. From navigating the full design of the school to budget considerations, education codes, and state regulations, there have been countless elements to learn and apply on a daily basis.

What have I learned from it all? Resiliency shines brightest. It is the ability to adapt to new circumstances, to remain steadfast in the face of uncertainty or self-doubt. Above all, my desire to inspire others to do the same is what defines me as a leader. As Dean, I have strived to embody these qualities each and every day, leading by example and fostering a culture of resiliency within our institution.

I have sought to instill this same sense of resiliency in the next generation of nursing leaders. As educators, it is our responsibility to prepare our students not only with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers but also with the inner strength and resilience to weather the storms that lie ahead. In doing so, we empower them to overcome the inevitable challenges they will face in their careers, to persevere in the pursuit of their goals, and to emerge stronger and more capable on the other side.

My only hope is that my story speaks to someone who might be watching my journey unfold, and I will close with my personally written philosophy:

“Aiming to be the light which sheds optimism, excellence, and structure with compassion and empathy that motivate growth in all paths of life.”