Name
Western Governors University
D024 Professional Presence and Influence
Prof. Name
Date
My name is Kayla LaBrie, and I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Husson University in 2012. Advancing my education has been a long-standing professional goal, particularly as I continue to grow both personally and professionally within the nursing field. With my children becoming more independent, this stage of life presents an ideal opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree. Continuing my education at this time allows me to strengthen my leadership capabilities, expand my professional influence, and prepare for future roles in nursing education before further family expansion. This decision reflects a deliberate commitment to lifelong learning and career advancement.
I currently maintain several professional nursing roles that collectively contribute to my leadership development and clinical expertise. My primary position is a full-time Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) charge nurse and preceptor at a critical access hospital in Maine. In this role, I am responsible for coordinating staff assignments, supporting bedside nurses, prioritizing patient care needs, and ensuring safe and efficient unit operations. Visibility and active engagement are essential components of my charge nurse role, as effective leadership directly impacts patient outcomes and staff morale.
In addition to my full-time role, I work per diem as a nurse in a long-term care facility, serve as a clinical instructor for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students at the local high school, and provide nursing care as a corrections nurse at the county jail. These diverse roles have strengthened my adaptability, communication skills, and understanding of varied patient populations and healthcare environments.
My leadership style is best described as calm, supportive, and example-driven. I prioritize maintaining a positive attitude and composed demeanor, even during high-stress or rapidly changing clinical situations. Leading by example is a foundational principle of my practice, as I consistently demonstrate professionalism, clinical competence, empathy, and compassion in patient care and staff interactions. This approach fosters trust, mutual respect, and collaboration among nursing team members. By creating a supportive and psychologically safe work environment, I encourage open communication and promote team cohesion, which ultimately enhances patient care quality.
I am actively involved in my hospital’s formal nurse mentorship program, which pairs newly hired nurses with experienced nurse mentors for a one-year period. This structured program is designed to support professional growth, confidence development, and retention of novice nurses. The mentorship framework includes weekly communication through email or text, monthly in-person meetings lasting approximately one hour, and a celebratory dinner at the conclusion of the year to recognize participant contributions. Since its implementation four years ago, the program has consistently received positive feedback, highlighting its effectiveness in easing the transition of new nurses into clinical practice and reinforcing a culture of support and learning.
My primary objective in pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing Education is to broaden my teaching scope beyond high school CNA instruction and transition into collegiate-level nursing education. Teaching has become an increasingly meaningful aspect of my professional identity, and I am passionate about preparing future nurses for safe, competent practice. Although my primary employment is within a critical access hospital, education and professional development are strongly emphasized. Newly hired nurses complete a minimum of three months of individualized one-on-one Med-Surg training, and those transitioning to the Emergency Department receive an additional nine months of tailored orientation. These experiences have reinforced my desire to contribute to academic nursing education and curriculum development at the university level.
I am fortunate to work alongside a robust professional network of nurses with advanced education, including many Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)-prepared colleagues. Several of these individuals are graduates of Western Governors University (WGU), providing valuable insight into graduate-level nursing education and academic expectations. Additionally, many of my colleagues—both MSN- and BSN-prepared—are active members of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Engagement in this professional community offers mentorship, advocacy resources, and continued encouragement as I progress through my graduate studies.
Pursuing a Master’s degree represents an exciting and meaningful next step in my nursing career. I am eager to expand my knowledge, refine my leadership skills, and collaborate with peers and faculty throughout this academic journey. I look forward to contributing to scholarly discussions, enhancing my professional presence, and supporting others as they pursue their own educational and career goals.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Husson University (2012) |
| Primary Role | Full-time Med-Surg charge nurse and preceptor at a critical access hospital |
| Additional Roles | Per diem nursing home nurse; CNA clinical instructor; corrections nurse |
| Leadership Style | Calm, positive, example-based leadership emphasizing compassion and clinical excellence |
| Mentorship Involvement | One-year nurse mentorship program with weekly communication and monthly meetings |
| Training Focus | Three months individualized Med-Surg orientation; additional nine months for Emergency Department transition |
| Graduate Education Goal | Advance into university-level nursing education |
| Professional Network | MSN- and BSN-prepared colleagues; American Nurses Association members |
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). About ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/
Husson University. (n.d.). Nursing programs. https://www.husson.edu/academics/nursing/
Western Governors University. (n.d.). Nursing degrees. https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-degrees.html
