May 2016
Diana
Drake
,
DNP, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BP
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Minneapolis
,
MN
United States
Dr. Drake helped me realize my ability to be a leader by identifying my specific strengths and talents and providing guidance on how to harness these talents in a way to successfully affect change.
I have known Dr. Drake for over two years and have interacted with her extensively in her capacity as my DNP faculty advisor, the Specialty Coordinator for my WHNP DNP Program, and as one of my clinical preceptors. However, the value of what Dr. Drake has taught me goes beyond any of these formal roles. As I prepare to graduate next month, I cannot help but reflect on the incredible personal and professional transformation that has occurred under the mentorship of Dr. Drake.
I entered the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Minnesota three years ago with the singular and narrow-minded goal of obtaining a degree to work as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in a clinical setting. As my advisor, Dr. Drake met with me regularly, encouraged me to set and achieve goals, and challenged me to step out of the comfort zone of my own expectations. She opened my eyes to the endless possibilities available through this career beyond that of the clinician role and facilitated opportunities for academic, leadership, and service development within the context of an APRN role. Dr. Drake inspires by practicing what she preaches through modeling these multi-faceted roles in her own life and career.
Dr. Drake has supported me to explore various interests within my specialty of women’s health. Research involving the health and safety of underserved and high-risk women was an unexpected and surprising passion that arose from this. She helped me develop my applications and supported my candidacy for two research assistant appointments during my time at the University of Minnesota, which involved the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and care of victims of sex trafficking.
Additionally, Dr. Drake helped me realize my ability to be a leader by identifying my specific strengths and talents and providing guidance on how to harness these talents in a way to successfully affect change. With her assistance and support along the way, I went on to have several leadership roles within the University of Minnesota (Women’s Health Specialty Student Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Health Fair) and with large health societies at the state and international level (Minnesota Nurse Practitioners Conference Planning Committee Member, North American Menopause Society Pfizer Student Reporter Scholarship Winner).
When an extremely difficult personal crisis arose midway through the program and I was unsure if would be able to continue on track with my graduate studies, Dr. Drake once again demonstrated her steadfast commitment to helping me achieve my goals. Her wise and trusted counsel helped give meaning to this experience and motivated me to stay the course to graduate with my cohort. Inspiring resilience in the face of adversity is perhaps one of the greatest gifts she has taught me. Her mentoring capabilities reach far beyond the academic setting and her compassion for her students is evident.
Dr. Drake’s mentorship has profoundly impacted me on both a professional and personal level, and her guidance has empowered me to have a career that I never dreamed was possible.
I entered the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Minnesota three years ago with the singular and narrow-minded goal of obtaining a degree to work as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in a clinical setting. As my advisor, Dr. Drake met with me regularly, encouraged me to set and achieve goals, and challenged me to step out of the comfort zone of my own expectations. She opened my eyes to the endless possibilities available through this career beyond that of the clinician role and facilitated opportunities for academic, leadership, and service development within the context of an APRN role. Dr. Drake inspires by practicing what she preaches through modeling these multi-faceted roles in her own life and career.
Dr. Drake has supported me to explore various interests within my specialty of women’s health. Research involving the health and safety of underserved and high-risk women was an unexpected and surprising passion that arose from this. She helped me develop my applications and supported my candidacy for two research assistant appointments during my time at the University of Minnesota, which involved the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and care of victims of sex trafficking.
Additionally, Dr. Drake helped me realize my ability to be a leader by identifying my specific strengths and talents and providing guidance on how to harness these talents in a way to successfully affect change. With her assistance and support along the way, I went on to have several leadership roles within the University of Minnesota (Women’s Health Specialty Student Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Health Fair) and with large health societies at the state and international level (Minnesota Nurse Practitioners Conference Planning Committee Member, North American Menopause Society Pfizer Student Reporter Scholarship Winner).
When an extremely difficult personal crisis arose midway through the program and I was unsure if would be able to continue on track with my graduate studies, Dr. Drake once again demonstrated her steadfast commitment to helping me achieve my goals. Her wise and trusted counsel helped give meaning to this experience and motivated me to stay the course to graduate with my cohort. Inspiring resilience in the face of adversity is perhaps one of the greatest gifts she has taught me. Her mentoring capabilities reach far beyond the academic setting and her compassion for her students is evident.
Dr. Drake’s mentorship has profoundly impacted me on both a professional and personal level, and her guidance has empowered me to have a career that I never dreamed was possible.