Healthlinks Charleston Jan/Feb 2019

96 | www.CharlestonPhysicians.com | www.HealthLinksCharleston.com STEPHANIE ARMSTRONG, PH.D., RN, CNS Dr. Stephanie Armstrong was always fasci- nated with the physiology of the human body. “The human body is so intricate yet is able to function so perfectly,” she said. It was her desire to learn more about the anatomy and physiology of the human body, coupled with her passion for helping others, that got her interested in nursing. Her specialty area is women and infant health. “I enjoy being able to help families as they experience the physical and psychological changes that coincide with pregnancy and birth,” she said. Currently, as an instructor in the college of nursing at MUSC, she teaches women’s health, but, in the past few years, she has been study- ing and working with human trafficking victims. She teaches her students how to spot these victims and how to take special care of them. “Working to educate health care professionals on how to recognize and respond to this vulnerable population has become one of my top priorities,” she explained. According to Dr. Armstrong, nursing is much more than a career choice. “You will impact the lives of others,” she said. “That makes nursing an exceptionally rewarding profession.” DONNA REINBECK, PH.D., OCN, NEA-BC As an assistant professor at MUSC in the Department of Nursing, Dr. Donna Reinbeck has the opportunity to practice her two pas- sions – nursing and teaching. Growing up, Dr. Reinbeck’s mother was a nurse, and her grandmother was a teach- er. She said she loved both professions and knew she wanted to be one or the other. What sealed the deal for her on becoming a nurse was when her mother became very ill when Dr. Reinbeck was young. “The nurses who cared for her during this time had an impact on me and my family. I will never forget the care and generosity they demonstrated toward my mother. This, and remembering how I al- ways admired the camaraderie that existed among her nursing col- leagues, acted as an inspiration for me to become a nurse,” she said. When she completed her Ph.D. degree, after many years of work- ing as a nurse in a hospital setting, she said that she immediately went to teaching and has never looked back. Her advice to aspiring nurses? “Never stop learning. Be flexible and open to new specialties. There are endless opportunities in the nursing profession.” KATHY VAN RAVENSTEIN PH.D., APRN, FNP-BC Dr. Kathy Van Ravenstein admitted that she loves so many different specialties in nursing but that her favorite has been working with adults and older individuals with multiple chronic health conditions. Now as an assistant professor in the MSN/ DNP program at MUSC, Dr. Van Ravenstein teaches potential nurses and nurse practitioners about the career that she is so passionate about. Her nurse practitioner background began when she saw some of the other nurse practitioners interacting with physicians when she worked as a nurse in the ICU. Her teaching background began after she became a nurse practitioner and started teaching clinicals at the undergraduate nursing school level. “After doing that, I knew that I always wanted to teach to have the opportunity to share my knowledge with future nurses and nurse practitioners,” she said. She concluded, “I have been fortunate to be able to enjoy all the different facets of nursing, including teaching, caring for patients and conducting research. I find that in nursing, there is never a dull moment, and there is always an opportunity to explore something new and continue to grow and learn.” T H E P U L S E O N CHARLESTON NURSES We have partnered with the MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE OF NURSING to highlight some of the Lowcountry’s top nurses. HealthLinks Charleston wants to recognize nurses as the backbone of our medical community and thank them for all their efforts! AMY GULLEDGE, MSN/ED, RN, CNE Amy Gulledge said she has found her passion with teaching future nurses. “While I loved caring for patients at the bedside, my passion for academics began to grow as I continued my own educa- tion,” she said. “I witnessed what an im- pact academic nurse educators can have on one's nursing practice and future, and I wanted to be part of it.” Her clinical experience was in med-surg, cardiac, orthopedic, trauma and case management. She is currently a college of nursing instructor at MUSC, and she is in her second year of the accelerated Ph.D. program. “I started the Ph.D. program so I could make a difference in health care through research that aims to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities,” she said. “I am especially interest- ed in the effects of social isolation in those with chronic respiratory disease.” Her advice to aspiring nurses? “Nursing is such a diverse field with so much opportunity. Find the specialty you love and never stop learning and growing,” she concluded.