As we celebrate National Nurses Week, we’re putting the spotlight on our amazing nursing educators, who have devoted their lives to shaping the nurses of tomorrow. After serving as a nursing professor at Good Samaritan College of Nursing in Cincinnati for several years, Michelle Roa is making an impact on many levels as Dean of Nursing for Fortis College’s Cincinnati campus.
Roa earned her RN-BSN from the University of Cincinnati, then attended Xavier University and graduated with her MSN in healthcare administration. In 2013, she graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing and nursing education, receiving highest honors.
While Roa loved working as a registered nurse, she eventually decided to make the move from clinical to academia. “I love nursing at the bedside but wanted to do more,” she said. “I started teaching nursing students which was the best of both worlds, teaching students and being with patients.”
Roa loves learning new aspects of educating nursing students. She also enjoys and finds great satisfaction from being a mentor to faculty and students, helping encourage their success and delivering a quality education.
“I love seeing the ah-ha moments when they really understand something,” she said. “I love breaking the information down, so they understand and having fun activities to pull the information together.”
When she meets new nurses, Roa loves to give this this advice: “Don’t give up. It is hard work but so rewarding to see the joy on a patient’s face when you are helping them or provide compassionate care to those who are in greatest need. It is beautiful.”
National Nurses Week is celebrated May 6th through May 12th, culminating on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Nightingale is recognized as the founder of modern nursing.
If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of others like Roa is doing, consider becoming a nurse. Fortis can help you get started by providing a quality education. Click here for more information on our nursing program or call us today at (855) 436-7847 and speak to one of our admissions representatives.