7 minute read
Nurse Of The Quarter Dr. Annette M. Guy
By April Rowe, RN
AFTER WORKING FOR OVER 20 YEARS in business management, Dr. Annette M. Guy, DNP, MSN-NE, RN, from Asheville, North Carolina, made a midlife career change that led her down a path she never expected to take. From certified nursing assistant (CNA) to college dean, author, and business owner – Annette proves the sky’s the limit for anyone looking to change things up and advance their career.
As a child, Annette was inspired by her grandmother, who was a nurse. She would proudly put on her Nana’s nursing cap while tending to the needs of her ‘patients’…her baby dolls. Annette has always loved caring for others, so it’s no surprise that her career in business management wasn’t quite as fulfilling as she hoped it would be.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR A CAREER CHANGE
Annette decided to test the waters of the nursing world in her forties and became a CNA. She quickly realized that becoming a nurse was her new goal in life. After graduating from nursing school, Annette worked in the intensive care unit (ICU) and did some travel nursing. “I absolutely loved being a bedside nurse and caring for patients, and I always enjoyed teaching students and new nurses,” recalled Annette.
Annette is passionate about creating a kind and supportive nursing culture. Her experience in nursing school witnessing classmates being bullied by instructors and how she was also a victim of bullying as a new grad fostered her devotion to changing the nursing culture. “We should never eat our young. Nursing students and new nurses should feel safe to ask questions and approach other nurses,” Annette emphasized.
CHOOSING HIGHER EDUCATION
“I loved being a preceptor and was always eager to have a student with me,” said Annette. Because she was so thorough and enthusiastic with the nursing students, one of the nursing school clinical instructors asked her if she had ever considered being a clinical adjunct. Annette decided to try it out and absolutely loved it!
Before she knew it, Annette was on her way to getting a master’s degree in nursing education. While completing her higher education, she worked as a clinical instructor at a community college. Although she was gaining a wealth of experience in her position, the program itself was struggling, and the culture was not quite what Annette expected it would be. Many of the instructors, including the director, left their positions.
After all the pitfalls and struggles at the community college, Annette decided that teaching may not be her true path. She planned to finish the semester and then quit her teaching position. “I was heartbroken, and the students begged me to stay,” she said. It was difficult for her, but Annette wrote her resignation letter and planned to return to bedside nursing.
HOW NURSE BLAKE CHANGED EVERYTHING
In December 2019, Annette received a call informing her that she had been nominated by many of her students and peers for the 2019 Nurse Blake Awards as Professor of the Year. A few weeks later, the votes were cast, and Annette won! She recalled the moment she found out:
“I will never forget that day. On January 6th, I got a phone call from Nurse Blake. He said that I had been named the Professor of the Year and that my students had written some of the most amazing letters saying that I’ve changed the culture of nursing education and made such a huge impression on them. Blake’s phone call and winning that award changed the direction of my career. Right then, I decided not to give up on my students and being an educator. I actually had my resignation [letter] on my desk and was ready to hand it in that day!”
NEW OPPORTUNITIES AROSE
After winning the award, Annette got a call from another college interested in hiring her. The college had been struggling with its National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates. Annette had previous experience writing NCLEX questions as she had contributed to Loretta Manning’s book, “NCLEX-RN 101: How to Pass!”
Annette accepted the new position as Director of Nursing Development and Assessment and helped turn the college around. “I worked very hard, and for the first time, the college had five graduating classes in a row with a 100% NCLEX pass rate,” declared Annette. She went on to graduate in May 2023 with her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Educational Leadership. Annette is now the Dean of Nursing at Spartanburg Community College in South Carolina. She has already achieved many goals in the short months she has been in the position, and we can only expect wonderful things to come for the college.
Annette’s core value for nursing education is to create a culture that strives to support and understand students and new nurses. “I don’t ever want to be disconnected from my students. I love doing events with them, like ‘Donuts with the Dean,’ to get their input on what they’d like to see the program be. My purpose is to help the students and change the culture of nursing. We should never eat our young.”
One of her students said it best when they nominated her for Professor of the Year: “With the resignation of all other nursing professors and the director, Professor Guy was the last one standing at our school. She refused to leave our second-year class and withstood the pressure of so many obstacles. She missed out on a lot of time with her family and stood tall in front of our class, alone, every lecture, every exam, and answered every single email every day. She is a warrior and a perfect example of what a nurse should be in the face of adversity.”
EDUCATOR, AUTHOR, AND ENTREPRENEUR
Annette has two other business ventures in the works. She is publishing a book for nursing educators that discusses nursing culture and how to encourage students and build positive and supportive relationships with them. “If we can change the culture of nursing education, eventually we will change the culture of nursing practice,” she said.
Annette and her friend, a family nurse practitioner, plan to open a new clinical spa, Studio J, near the end of September in Waynesville, NC. They will provide hydration therapy, botox, laser hair removal, CoolSculpting, and more. Annette loves working in education but longs for face-to-face patient care and looks forward to this new opportunity. “I will get to take care of people in my community, which is something I really miss.”
Annette’s selection as Nurse of the Quarter comes as no surprise. Her passion for education and changing the culture of nursing is evident in all the great successes she has accomplished and the goals she continues to work towards. Not one to settle, Annette followed her dream, became a nurse in her forties, and didn’t stop there. Now with the prestigious title of DNP behind her name, she is the dean of nursing, an author, and an entrepreneur. She is truly an inspiration for nurses, students, and all the educators leading the next generation of extraordinary caregivers.
