SANDRA MEGERDICHIAN
MSN , RN , Professor of Nursing at the Community College of Rhode Island ; served as semester two lead teacher from spring 2011 to spring 2021
HOW DID YOU GET INTO NURSING ? Growing up , I was touched by how caring the nurses were when providing care to my grandparents . I had originally planned to become a teacher , but I felt a stronger calling to provide care and compassion to those in need . I enrolled in Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing as I wanted to learn in a place where professionals from around the world came together to improve health care . After completing my degrees and working for twenty years as a critical care nurse , it was time to pursue a career in nursing education to help others enter the world of compassionate patient care that I have loved . When I accepted a teaching position in the nursing program at the Community College of Rhode Island , it fulfilled both my teaching and nursing passions , which I am very grateful for .
IN AN nurse OF THE YEAr
ACADEMIC SETTING
WHAT ’ S THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR ROLE ? Providing support to my students and mentoring them to “ grow , understand and embrace patient care .” At the start of the semester , some students are initially hesitant to enter the patient ’ s room . As the semester continues , they develop new skills , more confidence and excitement at the learning opportunities they have with each client experience . By the end , they can work together using critical thinking strategies and provide more comprehensive patient care . You develop a bond with the students as they become proud and empowered to successfully move on to the next semester . | | CONTINUED ON PAGE 74 >>
64 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2021