Dean's Interview: Insights from Future Nurses
Michael Relf, Dean of Duke University School of Nursing, talks with two pre-licensure students about what drew them to nursing, their vision for the future, and advice for future students.
Michael Relf, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, Mary T. Champagne Distinguished Professor of Nursing and Dean of the Duke University School of Nursing, met with pre-licensure students Caitlin McClear and Vernon Stepney, Jr., to get insights from the next generation of nurses as they pursue their nursing education at Duke. Watch the video (full transcript available on Vimeo) or check out highlights below.
Dr. Relf began by recognizing that McClear and Stepney are part of the inaugural cohort of Duke’s Master of Nursing (MN) program, which is designed to provide a pathway for people without an undergraduate nursing degree to become registered nurses (RNs). Since students in this program have obtained degrees—and sometimes built careers—outside of nursing, Dr. Relf asked McClear and Stepney what led them to change course and pursue a nursing degree.
McClear shared that she had been conducting molecular biology research on viruses but realized she missed the “human connection.” She decided to pursue nursing to “marry [her] love for science and [her] love for people.”
Stepney, whose prior degree was in health science with a concentration in management, similarly found himself wanting to engage in direct patient care. Dr. Relf replied that these students’ interests in the basic sciences and public health will benefit the field of nursing and will be brought to bear on “patient, family, and community care every single day.”
The students shared that one of the unexpected aspects of nursing school was learning just how many opportunities exist for nurses and how versatile the profession is.
“Nurses are the largest cadre of healthcare professionals in the United States and every country of the world,” said Dean Relf. “And here at Duke, we’re trying to help you understand that behind every person is a family, and behind every family is a community.”
Dean Relf asked the students for their thoughts on social determinants of health and health equity in nursing, stating that “where you’re born, where you live, where you grow, where you work, where you go to school—those social determinants of health actually influence your health trajectory and your health outcomes."
"As nurses, we spend the most time with the patient,” said McClear. “And for that reason, I think nurses are uniquely equipped to be advocates for different populations because you are in such close contact with people from all walks of life.”
“Growing up in Baltimore and seeing so many people either not having access to healthcare or quality healthcare, or having that access but not taking advantage of it, is a huge part of why I am where I am today,” said Stepney. “I want to be on the front lines encouraging people to take their healthcare seriously ... to not be embarrassed for whatever reason and to take full advantage of our healthcare system.”
Dean Relf then asked McClear and Stepney what advice they might give to new and prospective students.
“My biggest piece of advice would be to leave imposter syndrome at the door,” said McClear. “It can be easy to wonder, ‘Do I belong here?’ But I think the moment that you accept, ‘Yes, I do belong here. Yes, I did earn my spot here,’ it just opens up a whole world for what you can do at Duke.”
“My advice would be to be ready to collaborate and to learn from your classmates as much as you’re learning from professors,” said Stepney,” said Stepney. “One thing I really love about our cohort is how diverse we are. ... We are learning so much from one another just in class, having conversations, learning how to be more compassionate, learning how to be more understanding.”