The one nursing experience I'll never forget:  I was driving to a nearby town to interview for a teaching position at the local college, dressed in a new suit and full of anxiety.  I was an ICU and Emergency Department nurse at that time in my career.  While driving, I noticed a big cloud of dust ahead in the median and then saw a twisted pile of metal with debris all over the highway.  I quickly pulled over to see how I could help when I encountered two young girls who had been thrown from the vehicle.  After a quick assessment, I determined they had compound fractures in arms and some lacerations, but were alert and oriented with a stable pulse and respiration.  Next, I moved on to their mother who was struggling to rise.  I got to her and convinced her to lie down and let me assess her.  The light in her eyes was like the light in a picture tube of an old TV -- that was turned off.  It was literally fading until she went into full arrest.  There was only one other person at the scene by then.  I asked her to go to the girls while I helped their mom for whom I immediately began CPR.  I continued CPR without the benefit of suction and all the other technology I was used to as an experienced ICU nurse.  After several minutes, the police and an ambulance arrived and the EMT and I continued CPR until it was obvious we had lost the battle.  The next day I went to visit the two little girls in their hospital room and they smiled through tears in their eyes and said, "We remember you --you were the angel who helped our mama before she went to heaven."  My heart broke -- both from sorrow and a sense of joy.

The biggest motivator in my life is:  The desire to do my best and to be a good example for my family.

In the next 10 years, I see the profession of nursing moving toward:  More autonomy as a profession.  I see nursing professionals taking even more responsibility for clinical practice than we do today.

My leisure time is usually spent:  Reading and/or traveling with my husband, and spending time with my grandchildren.

The trait I most admire in others is:  Integrity and passion for life!