112 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com T H E P U L S E O N CHARLESTON NURSES RIKA WIN KEMP WINS PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP In February, the Foundation for Academic Nursing announced that Rika Win Kemp, a DNP student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, earned the prestigious Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship, an honor that is funded by Liaison International. Liaison International initiated the program in honor of Dr. Trautman, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s president and chief executive officer, to provide financial support and mentorship to outstanding graduate nursing students who aspire to leadership roles. As a scholarship recipient, Win Kemp will attend the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Conference in Washington, D.C., in mid-August and learn from Dr. Trautman. “I feel a lot of gratitude in being selected for this scholarship,” Win Kemp said. “There were many qualified candidates, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to learn and share my experiences with others.” Win Kemp’s background is in labor and delivery, postpartum and women’s surgical nursing, and she is committed to providing holistic and integrative psychiatric care. Prior to attending nursing school at Emory University, she studied international health and Spanish at Clemson University and continues to immerse herself in community health settings. As a refugee herself, Win Kemp found her skill in caring and advocating for underserved and underrepresented populations. “My experience as a refugee in this country was challenging, but it has helped me see the world from a different lens,” Win Kemp said. “I would not trade any of the obstacles that I have overcome because it shaped and molded my character. I use this experience as motivation to help others become their own champions and find peace in challenging times.” Win Kemp’s favorite memories as a nurse center around laughter with her patients and her colleagues. “We help patients through some of their most vulnerable moments, but it is a joy to create some brightness even in the most difficult times,” Win Kemp said. Win Kemp finds inspiration in watching nurse leaders encourage and uplift future generations. “There are so many opportunities in this profession,” she explained. “It is incredible to see nurses thriving in different environments.” Win Kemp offered this advice to nurses and nurse educators: “Meaningful change may take time, but every effort is worthwhile in pursuing your goals.” The Foundation for Academic Nursing is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Liaison International is AACN’s partner in NursingCAS, a service that lets applicants to use a single online application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs at participating schools. Source: aacnnursing.org. KATHRYN KINYON DNP, CPNP, AHN-BC As a holistic nurse, Dr. Kathryn Kinyon views the world as a place of interconnectedness. “Often one views nursing as a task-driven profession, but nursing is not just about doing. Nursing is a way of being – being mindfully present for patients and families,” said Dr. Kinyon. “It is taking a world view of a patient to assess the many challenges they face along with their health challenge.” Dr. Kinyon is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing Accelerated BSN program. She received her associate degree in nursing in 1976 from Lasell College and a BA in business administration from Florida State University in 1981. In 1990, Dr. Kinyon received her MSN from the University of Florida. Her thesis involved the study of codeine-exposed newborns and their ability to achieve a quiet-alert state. In 2010, Dr. Kinyon received her doctor in nursing practice from the University of Florida, completing a study comparing perception of illness between parents and children with cystic fibrosis. She has been a certified holistic nurse since 1998. “Caring for children who have a chronic condition has opened my eyes to the many challenges they face,” said Dr. Kinyon. “Most children with cystic fibrosis need to take prescription replacement pancreatic enzymes with each meal to absorb the food nutriments.” School-age children needed to go to the front office to get their medications each time they wanted to eat, Dr. Kinyon added. As a nurse practitioner in Florida, she wrote and instigated the passage of a law which allowed children with cystic fibrosis to self-administer their replacement pancreatic enzymes while at school. “Advocating for patients and families is a huge part of nursing,” she said. To date, as an educator, the pandemic has proved to be one of Dr. Kinyon’s toughest challenges. “How do you take a face-to-face class for 100 students and quickly flip to an online environment? How can you create a sense of community and maintain student engagement?” she asked. “Flipping to an online environment pushed me to find interactive games and activities to keep the students engaged.” Mentoring nurses and nursing students to be the best they can be will always inspire Dr. Kinyon. “I am honored to help them establish a firm path as they work toward their career goals,” she said. Dr. Kinyon offers three pieces of advice to her mentees: take care of yourself; find joy in each and every day; and remember to be present for yourself, your family, students and patients. HealthLinks CHARLESTON has partnered with the MUSC College of Nursing to highlight some of the Lowcountry's top nurses. Expand your career! nursing.musc.edu
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