Diane Byrum asked, "Would you be willing to write an abstract for an NTI learning connection session?" After explaining I had never spoken publicly, she said with a warm smile, "You can accomplish anything you set your mind to." With positive feedback, encouragement, guidance and a little shove here and there, my abstract was submitted and selected.
The big day came and I was very nervous. But as I looked at Diane's face I knew how much she believed in me; focusing on her smile, I made it through still standing. Diane told everyone that week at NTI how proud she was of my accomplishment.
Diane also mentored me in my role as trauma nurse educator. Every day I remind myself of her word to be proactive instead of reactive. One of the biggest lessons she has taught me is to dream big and strive to do the best you can in all you do.
Diane has mentored many nurses in my unit and hospital to obtain their CCRN certification. With only two CCRN nurses in our unit, in the last two years that number has grown to 14, including me. Diane served as a resource for our unit in obtaining the Beacon Award in 2007.
More than a great mentor to me, Diane is my confidant and friend. When I have been discouraged in my position with all the demands between education and patient care, she has listened to my concerns and encouraged me to continue doing my best. I know in my heart that I would not have accomplished what I have in the past few years without Diane as my mentor and friend. I just wish all nurses had the opportunity to have a mentor like mine.
