A Lifetime of Learning

A journey from low self-esteem to the confidence to be a clinical mentor to new nurses

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week one nurse tells her story of perseverance and never giving up her nursing dream until she found her love for teaching in nursing education. We also talk about the CDC's end to the Hantavirus response, the US military's rush to vaccinate troops, as well as the USDA's plan to combat a screwworm outbreak in Texas.

But first....

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Nurse Spotlight: Tina Jackson, DNP, RN

What I do for work

I currently work as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Commonwealth University. I teach nursing students in both the classroom and clinical setting, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to become successful nurses. I primarily teach Adult Health Nursing and work closely with students as they transition from learning concepts in the classroom to caring for patients in real-world healthcare settings. I truly believe God has called me to this profession and placed me in a position where I can positively impact the lives of future nurses.

How I got here

My journey to becoming a nursing educator was not easy, and it certainly was not a straight path. In the fall of 1982, I enrolled in LPN school. Being away from home was difficult for me, and I struggled with low self-esteem. Unfortunately, I failed in the program at that time, but rather than giving up, I decided to become an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteered with a local fire company. That experience helped build my confidence and gave me the courage to try nursing school again.

In 1991, I graduated from a local community college with my LPN diploma and began working in a rural hospital. I spent one year in orthopedics before transferring to a cardiac step-down unit. From there I continued my education and pursued my RN license before beginning work at a new hospital that provided an excellent nurse residency program. I continued working full-time while earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later my Master of Science in Nursing. While working full-time as a nurse, I also taught clinical rotations part-time. It was during those experiences that I realized teaching was where God was leading me.

Headlines in Healthcare

CDC Ends Officially Hantavirus Response

The CDC has officially ended its response to the Hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship after a 42-day monitoring period concluded with no new U.S. cases. Eighteen U.S. citizens were safely returned home, and no cases spread within the United States following the outbreak, which claimed three lives aboard the ship, The Hill reports.

US Military Racing to Vaccinate New Recruits

The US military is racing to vaccinate new recruits after a two-month pause on mandatory flu shots lead to an outbreak in at a Texas Air Force base sickening more than 160 people. The rush comes in order to combat the outbreak and also because the vaccines will soon expire at the end of June and new doses will not be available for months. According to The Guardian, these recruits are at particular risk because they live in very crowded conditions and are pushed to high stress with little sleep. People in their late teens or early 20s, like these recruits, are also particularly susceptible to the flu because they have not yet encountered many variants of influenza in life.

USDA Opens Sterile Fly Plant to Fight Screwworm Cases

The USDA opened a sterile fly plant, a 22,000-square-foot facility, in southern Mexico to combat the New World screwworm cases growing in Texas. They've reported two additional cases in Texas, bringing the U.S. total to 27. According to USA, sterile screwworms are released in and around infested areas to increase the likelihood that wild flies will mate with them. This method helped eradicate screwworm from the U.S. in 1966 and eliminate a small outbreak in the Florida Keys in 2017.

More on Tina

A day in my life

A typical day in my life includes preparing lectures, teaching in the classroom, supervising students in clinical settings, grading assignments, advising students, and attending meetings. Some people might find it exhausting, but I find it rewarding. Because I struggled with self-esteem and self-confidence throughout my own educational journey, I am especially passionate about supporting students who face similar challenges. I often share my story to remind them that setbacks do not define their future and that with faith, determination, and hard work, they can accomplish their goals.

My self-care routine

When it comes to self-care, my greatest joy is spending time with my family. My children are grown and have families of their own. I am blessed with several grandchildren, including a new granddaughter who was born this June. Spending time with my grandchildren brings me happiness and helps me recharge. I also enjoy yard work and keeping my home in order. These simple activities help me relax and appreciate the many blessings God has given me. Looking back, I sometimes wish I had reached this point in my career earlier, but I know God had His own timeline for my life. Every challenge, setback, and success helped shape the person and educator I am today. These lessons I now share with my students every day, hoping to inspire them to pursue their dreams no matter how difficult the path may seem.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

An image of author Katie Scoggins is pictured.

Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)

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