I wouldn't change a thing!

One aspect I love about the profession of nursing is the tremendous opportunity it offers to pursue various career paths. My students often ask how I ended up in academia and, if I could do things over again, would I have done something different. My answer is always the same: “No, I would not have changed a thing. I believe we are called to fulfill a purpose on this planet, and nursing has allowed me to make good on the commitment I made to my grandmother to be a force of healing in the world.”

Like many of you, I have worked in a variety of areas, but feel a profound sense of gratitude working in academia. As academicians, we are charged with the great responsibility of shaping future nurses—clinicians, scientists, educators—for a profession endowed with a plethora of opportunities. Whether in the hospital, community, or academic setting, our common bond is that we are nurses. All of us contribute in unique ways to ensure that we have a competent workforce for an ever-changing landscape. I do not know where my students will end up, but one thing for sure: By becoming members of the most trusted profession on this planet, they will use their talents and compassion to improve the lives of many.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.