Régine Placide Reaves
- Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Health Studies
- Master in Public Health from Florida A&M University
- Master of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University
- Doctoral Candidate at Florida Atlantic University
- Registered Nurse
Tell us about your path to becoming a professor.
I always knew that public health was my favorite nursing specialty. I eventually landed my dream job in public health nursing and worked as a pediatric case manager for children with special needs.
Shortly after that, I was promoted to nursing management. That role gave me the opportunity to lead, coach, and educate. Working with nurses in this capacity sparked my interest in teaching.
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is based on what I have learned as a nurse and as a leader. I pass on those standards, by which I have practiced, to my students. The concepts of integrity, caring, compassion, and service are what my teachings consist of.
How does your teaching style differ from others?
Students are usually well versed in the acute (illness) side of caring for patients. My public health nursing approach focuses on the complete opposite: illness prevention and health promotion. Because of this shift in perspective, I find that students learn best when real-world experiences are brought into the classroom setting. Many of my lectures incorporate current events and my experiences as a pediatric nurse case manager. This technique is a fun and effective way to keep students engaged.
The best part of teaching is having a student say they are considering public health nursing as a career after they graduate.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about going into this field of study?
I am a firm believer that teaching is not only a way to earn a living—it is a passion. Teaching should bring forth the opportunity for growth and a chance to inspire others. Anyone thinking about nursing as a career should have this same belief. It takes a special type of person to be a registered nurse; it requires innate caring, patience, and motivation to always perform at your best. With that said, I hope to inspire each of my students to have this same passion and drive.
