Hey there- remember me? 👀
I know, I know…it’s been a minute since I’ve last posted but your girl has been living, working, thriving, and juggling all the things. I just wanted to pop in and give an update on what’s going on behind the scenes. This obviously happens when you’re a working professional and you would assume that just because you completed a PhD that you’d be “done” but honestly things never truly slow down. However, I’ve read Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey, and it’s literally given me pause (check out her blog too).
For the newbies here, I’m a PhD nurse practitioner with 19+ years experience in the nursing field. And I’m here to share my journey, experiences, and career tips as a nurse scientist and nurse practitioner. Even though I’ve been around in nursing for a while, that doesn’t mean that I am still learning and growing.
Professional MilesTONE 🎉: I Published my first article!
Between professional milestones (like publishing my first first-author article – more on that soon!) and personal celebrations, life has been beautifully full. Call my Charleen – writer extraordinaire now LOL!
Speaking on celebrations…
I just came back from an unforgettable bachelorette trip in Miami! Think sun, vibes, matching outfits, and lots of memories were made on this trip! Should I do a blog on this trip? Let me know in the comments – because we had a time. Also, I celebrated my 2-year wedding anniversary! I mean, c’mon, your girl was living! And lastly, I attended a nursing research conference (all within a span of 3 weeks).
So, this was somewhat of why I planned to take a step back, take a breather, and recalibrate. Now that I’m back, I’m feeling re-energized and ready to bring more honest conversations to this blog – about career moves, research wins (and losses), and of course, a little lifestyle (for razzle dazzle) because that’s just who I am.
Picture #2: Sunday Brunch at Nikki Beach
Balancing Life, Work, and the PhD Hustle
Over the past few months, my time has been split between research and clinical work, and navigating life as a nurse scientist. If you’re new here, I am a nurse practitioner with a PhD in Nursing, trying to become a bad-ass nurse scientist. I’ve been in the nursing profession for 19 + years (whewww- cannot believe it’s been 19 years!). I wear lots of hats- academic, clinician, researcher, mentor – and while I love it all, it’s A LOT.
In between manuscript and grant deadlines, mentoring, and making sure I carve out moments for joy, blogging just had to take a step back.
But I never stopped thinking about this space and all the things I want to share.
Lessons Learned During My Time Away
Sometimes, distance gives you clarity. Here’s what I realized:
- You can’t pour from an empty cup. Rest is just as productive as writing and data crunching.
- Blogging is part of the legacy. Especially for women of color in nursing, sharing stories creates space for others to dream bigger.
- There’s power in owning your narrative. A PhD doesn’t have to be intimidating – it can be empowering.
What’s Coming to the Blog
Now that I’m back, I’ve got content in the pipeline that I am excited to share with you. Expect posts that mix real talk with career tips, reflections on academia, and a splash of lifestyle inspiration because yes – you can love research and lip gloss at the same time LOL.
Here’s a sneak peak for what’s coming up:
- 🤔DNP vs. PhD: Which Doctorate is Right for You?
- ⭐️How to Build Your Personal Brand as a Nurse Practitioner
- ⚖️How I Juggle Travel with a Demanding Job
If you’re a here for nurse practitioner career advice, PhD in nursing insights, or simply want to see what a well-rounded NP life looks like, this is the place for you!
Let’s Stay Connected
As I re-enter the blogging space with more intention and joy, I’d love to hear from you. What kind of content are you craving right now? What questions do you have about the PhD journey, clinical life, or navigating your own nursing path?
Drop your comments here – I’d love to chat.
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