Here at Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN), one of our Points of Pride is our faculty and staff’s commitment to the success of our students. We sat down with Instructional Assistant Professor Dr. Teresa K. Novy, BSN ’03, MSN ’09, DNP ’18, to tell us what inspires her and what she loves most about being a faculty for the nursing profession.
The trifecta alumnus of Mennonite College of Nursing also attended Pontiac Vocational Center for her CNA certificate and Heartland Community College for her LPN and RN certificates. With 28 years of nursing experience, Novy specializes in wound and ostomy patient care.
What inspires you?
I feel human strength inspires me. To see what some people have gone through within a hospital setting inspires me to be their coach. I had a mentor who saw potential in my interest in wound care and in teaching. I am inspired by a new generation of students who are passionate about delivering excellent, high-quality patient care.
What is your area of specialization?
I love caring for older people. I am a consulting nurse who specializes in wound and ostomy patient care. My specialty is clinical practice and practice change. I also love seeing novice nursing students coming into the profession.
What do you love most about MCN here at Illinois State?
I am a trifecta alumnus and believe in the mission and values that our college has established. I am proud to now be one of the faculty helping students learn to be the best version of themselves in a very challenging yet rewarding profession. I enjoy collaborative partnerships and the pursuit of creating innovations in health care. I love working with students, helping them find their strengths and opportunities to work on themselves to be their best nurse professionals.
What advice would you give to our MCN students?
Don’t lose yourself. Find a way to do the things that bring you joy in life. I appreciate humor, so I use this a lot with my students and patients. Nursing becomes a lifestyle not just a job. Helping others is rewarding but can be exhausting. Saturate yourself in curiosity and never feel bad about asking for clarification and being a questioning mind. Do your best with every patient interaction, make it meaningful and genuine. All people matter and you matter. Live, laugh, and love. Dr. T.
Interested in becoming a #RedbirdNurse? Learn more about the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University.
