All the nursing professors at Gardner-Webb University are exemplary. The nursing professors are excellent, kind and caring and all deserve their praises to shouted. I am truly blessed and honored to have completed my Masters and soon my DNP at GWU.
Dr. Yvonne Smith is a shining example of a professional nursing role model and stands out as exceptional. She is one of the most caring and dedicated professors in my academic career. I have had the pleasure of having Dr. Smith for two semesters in the DNP Leadership program. Both semesters have been a fantastic learning experience as she makes the courses meaningful as well as enjoyable. Dr. Smith continues to amaze all of us. I have never seen anyone answer an email so quickly and be so consistently available to her students. Her grading practices are fair and equitable to all and she meets her deadlines by providing timely feedback so we know what to expect going forward. She provides excellent feedback and yes, you can certainly tell she reads each assignment thoroughly. Dr. Smith goes over and beyond for all her students. She genuinely cares for each student on a personal basis and desires for each of us to excel academically and professionally. She takes time to answer all questions, makes videos to post online to assure we understand assignments, sends email updates weekly, offers Zoom meetings, for not only the students under her DNP project chair guidance but for the entire class. Her desire is that we are all successful, have all our questions answered (very timely) and our fears alleviated. This provides a learning environment where the student can be successful.
During the COVID-19 crisis, she has extended herself, even more, offering times just to check in and talk if needed. She is genuine, caring, very flexible, and places the needs of her students first. She has been very encouraging, inspirational, prayerful, and loving to all. When this semester started, some of my fellow colleagues were burdened, anxious, and needed to process feelings. Dr. Smith was once again available. She was extremely professional, supportive, listened attentively, validated feelings, and helped alleviate fears. She was the kind, gentle, professional voice for the students and once again made a huge difference. Dr. Smith has laughed with us, shed tears with us, understood and listened to us, and most importantly prayed with us and for us. There are no words to truly give this professor the praise she deserves (although she would say she does not deserve any praise-she is also humble).
Put simply, Dr. Smith is amazing! She upholds every attribute that is expected of a Gardner-Webb professor and is a wonderful example of a nurse and a beautiful, godly woman. I have learned so much from Dr. Smith and will graduate with a strong knowledge base from her wonderful instruction, but more than that, Dr. Smith has been a personal example of what a nursing professor should be. You can certainly tell Dr. Smith loves her job as a nurse and professor. She has shared her knowledge of nursing, as well as professional moments with us, which were extremely motivational and encouraging. Her enthusiasm for the love and art of nursing is genuine. As students, we are able to grow professionally through her instruction, but also from her personal attributes.
As I move on in my career, I hope to pursue a career in academia. My prayer will be to embrace many of the personal attributes of Dr. Yvonne Smith and walk in the footsteps of such a phenomenal woman. Thank you, Dr. Smith, for making a difference in my life and my fellow colleagues' lives. I will never forget you; you have definitely made a mark on my life and in my heart! Blessings always.