At five years old, Dr. Xavier had an experience which set her on a path to become a doctor of psychiatric nursing. In today’s episode, Dr. Xavier shares her journey from a rural fishing town in India, to a first-generation high school graduate, to assistant professor and research lead at the UNC  School of Nursing. Prior to the research position she now holds, Dr. Xavier worked as a clinical practitioner, and she explains how this experience informs the work that she does today. Dr. Xavier strongly believes in an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare, having an open mind, and giving people the benefit of the doubt. She shares her hopes for the future of mental healthcare as a whole, and the nursing research realm in particular. Her never-give-up attitude, her drive to continuously absorb knowledge, and her passion for the reduction of suffering, make for an inspirational conversation which you don’t want to miss! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The heartwarming superpower that Dr. Xavier would choose.
• Dr. Xavier shares the experience she had when she was five years old which sparked her interest in mental illness. 
• What Dr. Xavier’s current role at the UNC School of Nursing entails. 
• Why an interdisciplinary approach to care is so important. 
• How Dr. Xavier’s past clinical experience is helpful to the research work she is doing now. 
• Having an open mind and giving people the benefit of the doubt is key to being a psychiatric nurse.
• What Dr. Xavier loves about the work that she does. 
• Challenges that arise due to the interdisciplinary nature of Dr. Xavier’s team. 
• Advice from Dr. Xavier that will be beneficial for anyone looking for funding. 
• The best ways to learn more about a career in the academic nursing field. 
• How Dr. Xavier keeps up to date with advancements in psychiatric nursing. 
• A prestigious award that Dr. Xavier has received, and how she feels about it. 
• Do not give up! 
• Learning how to ask the right questions is the most important learning Dr. Xavier has had during her career in research. 
• Changes that Dr. Xavier would like to see occur in the American healthcare system. 
• The lack of recognition that is rife in the realm of nursing research.
• Final inspirational words of encouragement to all CareHeroes.  

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Rose Mary Xavier - UNC  

UNC School of Nursing

LinkedIn

X-lab

University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Duke University

Arizona State University

University of Kerala

NIH/NINR Summer Genetics Institute