Her Story
About Linda
I've been in nursing higher education for about 30 years, and it's truly been a calling for me. Currently, I'm an adjunct professor at Jacksonville University Kerwig School of Nursing, which I call my retirement job, though I can do it from either Houston or Jacksonville since I live between both cities these days. In my role, I chair DNP projects, which are evidence-based projects similar to dissertations where I guide doctoral students through pulling evidence and applying it to real-world projects. I also hold tutor sessions for undergraduates and have been able to raise their grade point average significantly. My military service was a defining part of my career. I served as the Deputy Commander of Nursing for the 345th Cache in Iraq, where we constructed a simulation lab for Iraqi nurses and held operating room and emergency room professional courses for them. It took a lot of effort and work, and while the sim lab is probably long gone, it was incredibly meaningful. During COVID, I partnered with the emergency manager at the University of North Florida to open a COVID clinic where students could be tested, and we converted an entire dorm to house and care for students who tested positive. We were there 12 hours a day, working with cafeteria services to ensure they were fed and safe, while police covered the other 12 hours and called us if needed. This allowed students to return to campus and gave parents peace of mind knowing we had their backs. I also worked for the Surgeon General and know how to address Congress, having done so on her behalf. I'm passionate about global nursing and disaster response, volunteering with the American Red Cross to respond to disasters, which is one of my favorite things to do alongside my work in nursing education.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Linda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents. My parents always believed in God and country, and that's what I base my principles on. They gave me the foundation and support that allowed me to pursue my goals and stay true to my values throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I started out with a diploma in nursing, a three-year diploma where I worked in the hospital with on-job training. My parents told me, 'You can do whatever you want.' At that point, I set my goal to get a PhD. There were some stumbling blocks along the way, but I never lost sight of that goal of being a nurse scientist. That advice from my parents to believe I could do whatever I wanted gave me the determination to keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles I faced.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
They must be resilient, they must be able to be proud of their profession, and they must really understand that nursing is not a job, it's a calling. So if you're called, you can do it. If you're just entering it as a job, it's gonna be a long road. You have to feel that calling deep inside you to truly succeed and find fulfillment in this profession.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, the biggest challenge is that they have said that nursing is not a profession. They've taken the title of professional away from us, and that is the biggest bunch of hooey I've ever seen in my whole life. They're doing it because it has to do with how much money we can get for scholarships, but if we're not professional, then I don't know what to say. I totally, totally disagree. The one thing we as nurses have to figure out is how to stand up for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Some people think men are gonna save us. We need male nurses, but we don't need them to save us. We need them to band together, and we need to be able to speak for ourselves, which we don't always do. I worked for the Surgeon General, so I know how to address Congress because I had to address Congress for her, and they're a pain in the butt. They're clueless about nursing, not about business, but about nursing. So we really have to educate the public and our legislators and our business people about what we do and why it's important.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is one of the most important values to me. The Army taught me to leave no soldier behind, and that applies to my whole world now. If I see someone that's failing or that needs help, you do not leave them behind. You help them and bring them along with you. This principle guides everything I do, both professionally and personally.
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