What advice would you give your younger self?
Never be afraid to take a calculated risk.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy.
The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1993. FNINR’s mission is to strengthen and magnify the impact of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) in the advancement of nursing science.
To celebrate our anniversary, FNINR would like to honor the individuals who have helped shape the organization through donations, volunteering, and support over the past 30 years, including our current and past presidents (listed below); without all these individuals we wouldn’t be where we are today.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It's never going to be easy but a career in nursing is so worth it.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere with the ocean or mountains.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be the person that you want to be regardless of the circumstances.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere I can completely unplug.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would offer the Zen precept, “Leap and the net will appear.” Courage is a necessity to create a life of meaning.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. It’s a wonderful mix of spectacular beaches, nature, and many venues where our beloved golden retriever family member is also welcome!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Make as many good friends as possible, they are worth their weight in gold.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Canandaigua Lake - or anywhere with swimmable fresh water.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Think about planning options for your career path as a first half then a second half.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Italy
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't worry about what you can't control.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
The Caribbean
What advice would you give your younger self?
First, relationships are everything! Time spent developing and nurturing relationships is never wasted, and those will be the people who support and celebrate with you when things are good, and who lift you up (and even piece you back together if needed) when things are hard. I could never have been successful in my work (or my life) without so many amazing family members, friends, and colleagues. Second, never underestimate the difference you can make in someone's life by doing even the smallest of things... ones that make a person feel seen, heard, valued, and that you genuinely care about them.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Southwest Harbor, Maine, is my favorite place. The scenery is stunning, the people warm and welcoming, and the lobster incomparable. It is where I go to rest, relax, reset and restore my soul before returning to the demanding work we do as nurses.
As the new year begins gaining momentum, Mayo Clinic’s Department of Nursing, Division of Nursing Research is taking a moment to reflect on the research goals and accomplishments made in 2022. Hear directly from a handful of our Nurse Scientists and Post-Doctoral Research Scholars on what they’ve been working on, and what that means for our patients.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Follow your passion, seek first to understand, and balance action with patience.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Hawaii! I had the great fortune to live in Hawaii for 22 years and love returning to the islands to visit friends and my favorite places.
January 9, 2023 – Lexington, KY – The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) are pleased to announce the selection of their sixth cohort of Ambassadors. This unique advocacy program began in 2014 and has grown to include over 30 Ambassadors. The 2023 selection includes 12 nurse scientists to join the ranks of others currently filling this role.
Ambassadors are selected from a national pool of applicants based on their abilities to advance public, health professional, and policy-maker awareness of the critical research agenda advanced by the National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR).
Be brave and challenge yourself, don't settle for status quo.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
One of my favorite vacation spots is Kauai because it has the most beautiful mountains and ocean scenery.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Enjoy the journey and experience no matter the difficulties you encounter on your road to success. The difficult moments are character-building, so embrace them.
Hang on because it is going to be an unpredictable and exciting ride!
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Any alpine lake with great views and fresh air. I love the national parks.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Early on in your career, create a balance between work and taking care of your health and your relationships. Make this your long-term habit. Realize that there are relatively few opportunities that are a "once in a lifetime" and even if you have to say "no" to something, it doesn't mean that another similar, or same, opportunity won't become available in your future. You do not have to say "YES" to everything right away and overwhelm your life. Lastly, remember the passion behind the start of your research and scholarship - it might be a patient, some challenge you or a loved one faced, or something that tugged at your heartstrings. Keep that front and center when times get tough and the work is dragging - remember WHY you chose this path and this focus!
Above: Nurse researcher Siobhan McMahon practices a balance-challenging exercise (heel-toe walking) with participants in the Ready Steady study.
Behavior change doesn’t happen in the hospital or in the clinic. It happens in people’s lives, in their homes, neighborhoods and communities.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient, all good things take time.
Columbia Nursing has long been at the forefront of innovative, interdisciplinary research
on the disparities in health faced by racial and sexual minorities and underrepresented groups,
and how to reduce these inequities.
In 2021, the school launched three centers demonstrating its commitment to social justice and high-quality health care for all, as well as to prepare the next generation of nurse-scientists to continue this mission: the Center for Research on People of Color (CRPC), the Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research (CSGMHR), and the Center for Healthcare Delivery Research and Innovations (CHDRI).
