A science teacher in high school told me that faith and science cannot co-exist. Challenged by this notion, I attended Wheaton to help me grapple with how my faith and academic interests could align. The College provided me with a solid foundation for both nursing school and my career in nursing. The mix of courses in health science and liberal arts prepared me academically, spiritually and emotionally for three critical pieces of my career: the challenge of caring for patients and families in crisis; working with an interdisciplinary team to promote health; and providing leadership in a complex environment. Wheaton College taught me to think critically: to ask hard questions and to dig deep in seeking to understand. As an RA at Wheaton, I also learned the many key elements of serving in a caring and nurturing environment. And I honed my leadership, relationship and communication skills; all skills that I have used throughout my career. The rigor of Wheaton's courses served me well as I continued my education through a BSN, MSN, and Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).
I've enjoyed many roles in nursing: as clinician, administrator, and educator for professional development. My experience at Wheaton provided me with critical groundwork in understanding how to integrate my faith into all aspects of life. And this very much included my work. I have used my nursing skills in formal and informal roles to seek to bring healing and wholeness. Beyond my formal nursing roles, this has led to opportunities like establishing a volunteer wellness clinic for low income seniors in Chicago and introducing some Chicago Public School children to nursing as a career. I have found that maintaining perspective and staying focused on why I entered the profession have been important for me in helping to both maintain hope and lead others in the turbulence of health care. Wheaton laid that foundation for me.