MEET THE AUTHOR

I never planned to become a clinical instructor. Like many nurses, I began my career focused on patient care — the long shifts, the unpredictable days, the quiet moments at the bedside that stay with you long after you go home. For years, that was enough. But somewhere along the way, I realized that what I loved most wasn’t just caring for patients; it was helping new nurses learn how to care for them too.

My path into teaching unfolded slowly, almost accidentally. A student would ask, “How did you know that?” A new nurse would whisper, “I’m afraid I’ll miss something.” A patient would thank me not only for my care, but for the way I guided the student standing beside me. Those small moments revealed a calling I hadn’t expected — to teach the thinking behind the nursing.

Before I ever stepped into a classroom, I spent many years in the nursing profession and a decade as a paramedic. I earned my ASN in 2010 at the age of fifty‑two, followed by my BSN in 2012 and my MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management in 2013. I began teaching in 2015, first in the classroom with Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Nursing Lab I, then later in Certified Medical Assisting programs and American Heart Association courses. When I moved to Florida in 2017, I shifted fully into clinical education, teaching for Rasmussen University and most recently Jersey College.

Over the years, I’ve taught in med‑surg units, emergency rooms, operating rooms, simulation labs, and clinical sites filled with the unpredictable rhythm of real patient care. I’ve walked beside students as they navigated their first assessments, their first difficult conversations, their first moments of doubt and discovery. I’ve watched them freeze in fear, light up with understanding, and grow into nurses who can see the whole picture. Those experiences shaped me as much as they shaped them.

Colleagues often describe me as calm in chaos. Students tell me I’m the one who helped them finally “think like a nurse.” I describe myself simply as someone who loves watching learners grow — someone who believes deeply in the transformative power of teaching.

Teaching the Nurse’s Mind: Clinical Judgment in Action is the book I wish I had when I first stepped into the role. It’s a reflection of the lessons, the people, and the moments that shaped me, and a companion for every instructor who wants to teach not just tasks, but the heart and mind of nursing. Clinical instruction isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about showing up for students with curiosity, patience, and a commitment to their growth. It’s about teaching the thinking that defines safe, compassionate practice.