Moments of Pride: Stephan Riddle (B.S.‘10/N)
In celebration of Nurses Week 2020 and as part of our Moments of Pride series, VCU School of Nursing is highlighting what alumni enjoy about nursing and how their education has prepared them for their career, especially in situations like the current pandemic.
Meet Stephan Riddle, a traditional B.S. program graduate, who works as the director of nursing professional development in the quaternary acute care unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
A. I absolutely love that my role as a professional nurse empowers me to make palpable and lasting change in the health of our global community. Nurses are an essential stakeholder of any interdisciplinary operation, and our knowledge, skills and attitudes enable us to actively participate in clinical practice, advanced clinical practice, the legislative process, and healthcare administration. Nurses touch countless lives.
Q. How has your VCU School of Nursing education prepared you for your work as a nurse, particularly in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic?
A. VCU provided me with the necessary clinical knowledge and skill of critical thinking to innovatively meet challenges in modern healthcare delivery (I.e. COVID-19).
Q. Can you share any words of encouragement or advice to current and future nurses?
A. Despite these uncertain times, we have been gifted with the vital knowledge and clinical skills necessary to surmount any crisis. We were built for times such as these. Don’t forget to care for each other with the same intensity that we care for our patients. THANK YOU for answering the call to be a nurse! Together, we will serve our communities and restore health and wellness. Stay kind, stay well!
Categories Alumni and Friends