Selinza’s Journey from Volunteer to Concorde VN Instructor

For more than four decades, Selinza Mitchell has been a steadfast presence in the nursing field, her journey marked by a deep commitment to patient care and a passion for education.

From her early days as a dedicated volunteer to her current role as an inspiring VN (vocational nurse) instructor at our Concorde campus in Grand Prairie, TX, Selinza’s career is a testament to the power of compassion.

Her story is not just a timeline of professional achievements, but a narrative woven with threads of dedication, diverse experiences, and a heartfelt desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
 

Early Influences and Career Beginnings

Selinza's journey into nursing began at the age of 14. Too young for a formal job, she found her calling as a volunteer at a large hospital with more than 500 beds.

Volunteering every day she wasn’t in school, Selinza dedicated ten years to the hospital.  During this time, she went beyond traditional volunteer tasks, assisting nurses with vital signs, changing beds, and helping patients with mobility. These experiences ignited a sense of purpose within her, as she felt the fulfillment of making a difference in patients' lives.

“There is something very important to me about being needed,” Selinza reflects.

She recalled the simple yet impactful tasks like delivering flowers and mail to patients, and the profound joy it brought to those she served. These early experiences solidified her aspiration to pursue a career in nursing, and by the time she graduated high school, Selinza already had sights set on her path.
 

An Expansive Career

Selinza's nursing career showcases diversity and depth. After graduating nursing school in 1982, she gained experience at John Peter Smith Hospital and Baylor Hospital.

Throughout her career, Selinza embraced a wide range of roles within the nursing profession. Her experience includes oncology, medical surgical nursing, managing a chemical dependency clinic, and a decade in home health.

She has also worked for a medical equipment company and two major pharmaceutical corporations. Selinza feels fortunate for the variety of opportunities in her career, and credits her success to her work ethic and dedication, stating,

“Get your education, put yourself out there every day, and be the best you can be!”
 

From Bedside to Blackboard

Selinza initially declined when she was presented with an opportunity to teach at a school of nursing. However, after observing new nurses, she decided to accept the challenge.

She saw some viewed nursing simply as a job. Yet, her career journey embodies nursing’s true nature: a calling to care. This realization fueled her decision to teach and help future nurses understand the profound impact they'd have on their patients.

“Every time you walk into somebody's life, you're walking into their intimate space and you're about to make a difference,” she says. “When people are on that side of the bed rail, they're going through it. They're scared, they're worried. They're nervous. They don't know what the outcome is going to be. They don't know what the diagnosis is going to be.”

Selinza believes that educating future nurses requires a different approach than direct patient care. “You have to learn to be an educator. You need to learn how to motivate people, because in the same way I learned how to navigate a patient, I needed to learn how to navigate the person who's going to be taking care of the patient,” Selinza states.

She also emphasizes the importance of soft skills in nursing, alongside technical expertise. Selinza shares, “Every day is an opportunity for growth. Every day is an opportunity to make a different kind of impact. And how you show up makes all that possible.”
 

Soft Skills Matter in Nursing

While technical proficiency is required for providing quality care as a nurse, the ability to connect with patients on a human level is equally important. Developing these soft skills can contribute to providing comprehensive and compassionate care:

• Empathy: Recognizing and responding to a patient's emotional state, showing compassion, and validating their experiences
• Active listening: Fully concentrating, understanding, responding and remembering what is being said
• Communication: This encompasses both verbal and written communication, as well as nonverbal cues
• Collaboration: Working effectively with other members of the healthcare team, including doctors, medical assistants and medical office professionals
• Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving patient care issues, often in time-sensitive situations
• Time management: The ability to organize and prioritize tasks efficiently, especially in a fast-paced environment

“We make sure our nursing students are prepared with hands-on healthcare career training, but we also focus on how they communicate and work with their team. Those skills are just as important,” says Selinza.
 

A Rewarding Memory

Throughout her teaching career, Selinza has had many memorable experiences. She recalls a time when someone called out to her in the hallway during a doctor’s appointment for her mom.

The individual asked, “Remember me?” It turned out to be a former student who had earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). 
The former student told Selinza, “You were my VN teacher. I was so prepared when I got ready to go to RN school, because of the way I learned in the VN program.”

This recognition from a former student, now with a DNP, was a humbling and fulfilling moment for Selinza. These encounters reinforce the impact of her teaching and the lasting connections she forms with her students.
 

The Enduring Impact of Pursuing Your Passion

Selinza’s story is more than a career retrospective; it's a powerful reminder of the lasting impact one person can have on an entire profession. From her early days as a volunteer, seeking responsibility and a sense of purpose, to her current role shaping future nurses, Selinza's journey exemplifies the true spirit of nursing. Her dedication, her emphasis on the importance of genuine care, and her ability to adapt and grow throughout her career serve as an inspiration to us all.

Picturing yourself in a career where you can make a difference like Selinza? Consider taking the next step by exploring our nursing programs at Concorde, where you'll learn from experienced faculty who not only possess expert knowledge but also teach with heart. Contact our admissions team or schedule a tour to learn more and begin your journey.