Professor Spagnoli is a giftedly competent and engaging educator. She exemplifies the true compassion and understanding too often neglected in our field. So few seem to want to dive into the complicated world of psychiatric nursing, and yet, Professor Spagnoli offers not only a what but a WHY when considering the field. Our 131 class covers a lot of sensitive topics, and having Professor Spagnoli at the helm allowed all of us to feel safe enough to venture into our past, our emotions and thought patterns, and relate them back to our content to be better nurses.

When I had to miss a clinical for a family matter, which felt like the end of the world, she perfectly balanced her role of being understanding while also making expectations and procedures clear. She even helped our clinical group feel more deeply connected with our lunch-break conversations. I remember when she nearly teared up during a lecture, and seeing that allowed me the space to no longer dissociate from all the emotion that I have packed in, the “why I want to be a nurse” that I often shut off in the name of productivity. It was the most genuine and humanizing experience I’ve had here outside of patient interactions.

She took the time to tell me that I did well after my first day of psych rotation, and most recently when a family member of mine overdosed she was the first (and only) person to reply and ask what I needed. I hope she remains with PCON for the students yet to come.