ANPD is excited to announce our newest team member. Meet Rebecca Brown, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, RNC-LRN, who joined the nursing professional development (NPD) team as the second education program manager. Below, get to know her background, some fun facts, and what she’s looking forward to at ANPD.

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What drew you to NPD, and what has been your journey toward this specialty?

I sort of fell into nursing professional development after I earned my MSN in nursing leadership. I was looking for a place where I could grow professionally, and the first interesting opportunity that came along was as a unit-based educator for the inpatient maternal/newborn unit I had been working in. From there I fell in love with education and continued my professional growth by moving into a centralized clinical education department for the same hospital. I worked as an NPD practitioner and then an NPD specialist during the 11 years I spent in the NPD specialty. During this time I also earned my DNP in educational leadership.

Can you summarize your new role at ANPD? How are you excited to make an impact?

The role of NPD education program manager is very broad and has responsibilities around developing and leading quality educational activities, products and programs, assisting with managing and planning the 2024 ANPD Aspire Convention and other events, acting as a nurse planner for the ANPD Provider Unit, representing ANPD and our educational development to external organizations, and many more. I am currently most excited to be part of the Aspire Convention planning. For a longer-term impact, I am excited to help develop and support NPD practitioners in their roles working with clinicians and improving health care outcomes.

What is a piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?

Very early in my career, when I was ready to leave the nursing profession due to the unhealthy working environment I started in, one of my nurse mentors told me, “Do what you love.” She reminded me that nursing is a diverse profession that is always growing. My one bad experience is not the full picture of what nursing is, and I can find my passion by just opening my eyes and looking. She also reminded me that I don’t have to settle for something that just doesn’t fit. I am (and you are) worthy of a fulfilling career that builds you up to your full potential.    

How has being an ANPD member shaped and supported you professionally?

I have learned so much from ANPD since becoming a member. At first, I was just interested in having access to the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development and was unaware of everything ANPD has to offer. The webinar topics piqued my interest in things I never considered part of the NPD role but found to be essential to the work. Conventions gave me an opportunity to make connections with others who were doing so much more than I imagined, and I could use many of those ideas and improve what I was doing in my own practice. I truly believe that I would not be where I am now without the resources and support ANPD provides their members.

If you had to pick, which NPD Standard do you appreciate most and why?

I would have to pick Standard 15: Quality of Practice. I feel this standard exemplifies the old saying “anything worth doing is worth doing right.” Quality of practice incorporates many of the other standards—such as respectful and equitable practice, communication, collaboration, and leadership—and helps put it all together.

NPD practitioners love having fun. Can you share a fun learning or teaching experience in the profession?

About a year ago I put together my first escape room for a classroom setting—and soon wondered why I didn’t try it sooner. (Probably because I thought it would be too much work and I didn’t have the time or resources. It was easier than I expected.) With the very first class—and every time the class was held since—learners displayed a level of excitement and engagement I had not seen in years. It was contagious. We could laugh together, and the puzzles brought out some friendly competition to draw in even the quietest learners in the group. This had a strong impact on me, because I was stuck with the same old things for so long. To see it work in bringing learners to life and actually enjoy the dreaded ‘required class’ was very encouraging to me.

What are you most likely to spend time doing over a weekend?

That usually depends on the weather. I live in New Mexico where we have sunshine and clear skies most of the time, so I can hike in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world (in my opinion). If I am looking for a challenge, I will hike up one of the mountains close by—my favorite trail goes up the Sangre de Cristo mountains to Nambe Lake. If I am feeling a little leisurely, I can take a stroll or a bike ride next to the Rio Grande. When the weather is not optimal, I spend time playing with my grandkids or trying new crochet patterns.