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Baltimore Professor Participated In The Evolution Of Nursing Education

Vicky P. Kent, PhD, RN, CNE, Clinical Associate Professor, is the Coordinator of this Associate to Masters program at Towson University. Dr. Kent initially earned a diploma from the Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana. She then received her B.S. in nursing from the William Carey University School of Nursing in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and her M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Dr. Kent was named Outstanding Nurse Educator in Maryland in 2006 by the Maryland Nurses Association.

BAL-Nursing
(Photo Courtesy of Vicky P. Kent, PhD, RN, CNE)

What inspired you to enter nursing?

"When I was young, I really liked helping people. I learned I could have a positive impact on people's lives by giving good advice."

How does your educational background relate to your current role?

"Everything I have studied has led up to this moment. I realized in high school that if I wanted to continue to take care of people as a career, I needed a formal education to do that."

"I always related the most to the nurse as the first responder: someone who needs the ability to assess a problem right away, who must educate the patient and his family, who has more responsibilities than I can possibly enumerate here! What a great career!"

How has your education helped to further your career and contributed to your success?

"Looking at my education, you can see how nursing has changed and evolved in the last 40 years. I began with a traditional diploma in nursing. It was hands-on, difficult, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

"After that, I realized I found joy working in the community; then came a B.S. and masters in Nursing with a focus in community health and health policy; then a PhD with a focus in health and public policy to teach at the university level."

What is some advice you can offer others looking to become nurse educators?

"Professor Joseph Campbell advised his students to follow their bliss, and I cannot do better. If you care about the world, take a moment to recognize how you can lead a happy life and contribute in some positive way in the world, and then do it."

Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years.
Primary interests include metaphysics and energy healing in which she has several certifications. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times. Sue lives in Baltimore.

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