Year of the Nurse and Midwife: Meet Dr. Diane Monsivais
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020 as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife”. To mark this special occasion, the UTEP School of Nursing is highlighting some of our outstanding faculty members on our website. Their commitment to helping our students succeed serves as an inspiration for future generations of Miner nurses.
Faculty Profile: Diane Monsivais, Ph.D., CNE, ANEF
Position: Associate Dean Graduate Education
Why did you become an educator?
In 1998, I was offered the chance to teach part-time, and I was curious about the role (but I was also terrified at the thought). And, more noble reasons aside, at the time I needed a “mom-friendly” schedule that allowed me to take my children to school and then pick them up.
After my first semester, I knew I wanted to keep teaching. Being able to share my clinical expertise with students who were eager to learn, and then watching them become beginning practitioners, was incredibly rewarding. I realized, though, that I could have been much better prepared for my instructor role. Much later in my career when I became director of the Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing Education program, I was committed to incorporating a more solid foundation for new instructors. In addition to the excellent learning experiences students have during the didactic portion of the program, they now also have a chance to participate in simulated teaching scenarios and a two- day Clinical Faculty Academy. The Academy is also open to faculty from other Schools of Nursing who bring their own expertise, enriching the experience for our Nursing Education students.
What do you love most about teaching at the School of Nursing?
There are many reasons to love teaching here! Being able to interact on a daily basis with incredibly interesting and talented people is certainly high on the list. At the SoN, our commitment to student success so that our students can improve healthcare in our region (and beyond) gives the faculty a shared sense of important purpose in what we do. We as faculty also generously support each other, so each of us in turn is able to support student success - it’s a dynamic combination.
What advice would you give?
Graduate school opens doors you never even knew were there! But before you start a program, investigate what it will mean for you and how it will move you toward your long-term goals. Talk to, and observe those in the role you are thinking of pursuing, so you’ll know it’s a good match for you.