Our guest on today’s show is not only a passionate nurse practitioner but also the first African American president of the Alabama State Nurses Association. Dr. Lindsey Harris feels that this is a role wherein she can make a very meaningful impact; out of the approximate three million nurses in the USA, only around 279,000 of them are black, and Lindsey hopes to inspire many more people of color to join the nursing profession. Helping others is what makes Lindsey feel fulfilled, but she knows that in order to look after others she also needs to look after herself, as do all other healthcare heroes. Lindsey sees nursing as a holistic art, is unafraid of a challenge and is endowed with the special skill of being able to bring people and organizations together. In this episode we discuss all of the above, as well what Lindsey’s job entails, her recommendations for continuous learning, the value of networking, tips for communicating with management, and the philosophy that she lives by. Be sure not to miss out on this one! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Lindsey would choose healing as her superpower. 
• Lindsey’s passion for helping others and how she came to be a nurse. 
• What Lindsey’s job at the UAB School of Nursing entails. 
• Challenges are a common occurrence in Lindsey’s line of work, but getting through them is extremely rewarding. 
• Lindsey works in a cutting-edge learning environment but regardless of where you work as a nurse there are many ways to continuously learn. 
• How God, her parents, and professional organizations have been so helpful to Lindsey on her professional journey. 
• The pride Lindsey feels in her role as the first African American president of the Alabama State Nurses Association. 
• How mentors of color can help to increase the currently small percentage of nurses of color in the United States.
• The importance of building relationships in order to move forward in your career. 
• Goals of the Alabama State Nurses Association and the measures they are putting in place to reach these.
• The philosophy which Lindsey lives by: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 
• Tips for working and communicating with management.
• You never know what other people are going through, so always be kind. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

LinkedIn

University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Nursing 

Alabama State Nurses Association

Birmingham Black Nurses Association 

Philippine Nurses Association of America

National Association of Hispanic Nurses

Samford University

Daily Nurse Article

Alabama News Center Article

Scrubs Magazine Article

Hot Jobs - Alabama

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation