Professor and Chair of Nursing
Named the 2018 Nurse of Distinction in Education by The Buffalo News and the Professional Nurses Association of Western New York, Dr. Cheryl Nosek has greatly influenced the lives of new generations of nurses over her past three decades in education and 40-plus years in the profession.
What sparked your interest in nursing?
When I was trying to decide on a career, nursing was on my list of options. My interest in the profession was really sparked when I read the Cherry Ames nursing fictional book series. It may not have been the best way to decide a career, but it turned out well for me, and I’ve never regretted my choice.
What do you like most about teaching students at Daemen?
With Daemen’s small class size, I can truly engage students in critical thinking and clinical reasoning, which are crucial skills for nurses. Nurses need to be able to make quick, accurate, and clinical decisions to prioritize patient needs so they can provide the best care.
Why are clinical experiences and other learning opportunities important for students entering the nursing profession?
Florence Nightingale stressed that nursing is both an art and a science, and hands-on clinical experiences are important for students to develop these skills. The science of nursing includes the technical skills nurses need to provide effective, physical care to their patients. Students also need to learn the art of developing a caring relationship with their patients and to communicate effectively with them to address all of their concerns while engaging them in their own care.
What advice do you have for your students?
First, students should engage in lifelong learning so they can provide the most up-to-date care for their patients. Second, there are endless opportunities in nursing and students should try a number of options until they find the one that fits best. Lastly, nurses should care for their patients the way they would want to be cared for if they were a patient. The best compliment I can give a nurse is that I would want them to care for me or my family.
Why did you decide to specialize in mental health nursing?
I credit my mental health nursing instructor in my initial nursing program for my decision to specialize in mental health nursing. She helped me to understand the psychodynamics of mental health disorders and the difference I could make in patients’ lives.
How has the nursing profession changed?
The nursing profession is continually changing. Our ongoing nursing research helps us to determine best practice and to update the way we do things to provide the best possible patient care. As patient advocates, nurses need to stay current with changes in our health care system so they can help patients access the care they need.
