Nursing Grad Trains New Generation

Nursing grad Dr. Robin Parnell, RN (’84) directs the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing courses at Troy University (Montgomery, AL), including classroom and clinical teaching.  What she learned from PCC faculty over twenty years ago, she is now passing on to a new generation of prospective nurses.  “Throughout my nursing career, I have strived to focus on excellence, integrity, organizational skills, and caring just as my instructors taught me,” Robin said. 

After graduating from PCC and starting a family with her husband, Dr. Parnell went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing, becoming assistant professor of nursing at Troy University in 2009.  “God led me to this position to allow me to be active in my nursing career while being available to my children during the summer and holidays.  It has truly been a blessing!” Robin said. 

“PCC’s nursing program focused on excellence, integrity, and organizational skills.  These three qualities are essential to the practice of nursing and to the world of academia. I’m so thankful these qualities were instilled in our minds from the very beginning of the program until graduation.  I appreciate the small classroom setting and the personal, caring attitudes of the instructors.  I wasn’t just ‘a number.’  I was a person they truly cared about, and they had my best interest at heart.”

As Dr. Parnell integrates that philosophy and care into her own teaching, she finds satisfaction watching her students develop academically and professionally to become nurses who make a difference in others’ lives.  “I have had numerous students thank me for treating them with respect and truly caring about them,” Robin said.  “I have noticed that no matter the environment in which you reside or work, people appreciate kindness.”

For over 30 years, PCC has trained nurses who are serving in healthcare or medical missions around the globe. See Nursing major for more information.

Published: 1/19/2012