The missing element

Out of 800 applicants, Jitana Benton-Lee was one of 30 selected to participate in a digital innovation boot camp, a collaboration between the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Apple. The proposal? A visionary app to track nursing students' core competencies, moving away from archaic paper methods to a dynamic, digital solution.

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Allison Young’s diverse background in East Asian studies, the role she played translating Japanese news bulletins after the 2011 tsunami, and her doctoral study in thanatology unexpectedly converged when she discovered an article online about a gardener in Otsuchi, Japan, and an old British phone booth.

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Higinio Fernández-Sánchez's story begins in Tyler, Texas, where he migrated with his family from Mexico at a young age. Determined to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse despite being undocumented, Higinio made the difficult decision to return to Mexico, only to face a 10-year ban from re-entering the U.S. after being denied a study permit. His time there turned out to be a blessing in disguise though, as he embraced his culture, became fluent in Spanish, and discovered a passion for research.

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In this bonus episode of A Nurse First, Sigma president Sandra C. Garmon Bibb shares her incredible career journey and the many firsts she has experienced along the way. From making tremendous decisions to facing challenges head-on, Sandra's story is one of inspiration.

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Sigma's new president Sandra C. Garmon Bibb always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Finding out at a young age that her name meant "helper of mankind" solidified the decision for her. Little did she know then though how full circle it would all come as she put pen to paper to develop Sigma’s 2023-2025 organizational call to action.

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Katie Foster believes authenticity in healthcare goes beyond personal identity; it is about embodying professionalism, empathy, and dedication to patient well-being. When she reconnected with a patient who didn't recognize her after her transition, Katie was fervently hopeful that her belief would manifest in reality.

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Facing challenges and limited funding, Jerry John Nutor's determination and passion for improving healthcare led him to create the Africa Interdisciplinary Health Conference—a platform for healthcare professionals to come together, share ideas, and address the complex health problems facing his continent. 

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In nursing, it's not just about being clinically smart, but also emotionally intelligent. The COVID-19 pandemic robbed countless nursing students of their clinical experience—and as an NCLEX tutor, Laura Habighorst has seen the impact on her students’ test scores. With the human element being the difference in exceptional patient care, she’s reworked her tutoring plans to add in the valuable lessons she’s learned both as a nurse and as a patient to help combat this missing piece.

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To address the mental health crisis head-on, Greg Jones opened the first mental health peer respite center in the Pacific Northwest. His theory is this: If as nurses we have the opportunity to make a difference, we are obliged to because nursing is not just a profession. It’s a calling to advocate for those in need and be a beacon of healing and justice. 

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Anthony Silva dropped out of high school to help his mother pay bills and worked various jobs, including being a medical assistant, before finding a mentor in Dr. Richard de Asla, a foot and ankle surgeon. He offered Anthony a full-time job—and changed his life. Driven by his mentor's encouragement, Anthony became the first registered orthopedic technician in his healthcare system and is now training and inspiring others to do the same.

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