Finding Nightingale in Pocatello
Pocatello is one of the College’s newest learning locales, headed by Chyleen Tucker.
She works face-to-face with learners in Pocatello and is the College’s representative
in the area. Chyleen’s passion for nursing and education fuse together as she fulfills
the Assistant Professor position at the DDC site in Pocatello.
What is your position at the College and what do you do?
I am an Assistant Professor at the DDC site in Pocatello. I do all the clinicals
and labs here.
What do you love most about your job?
I love interacting with the learns, watching their faces when they accomplish new
tasks, talking them through learning a new concept.
If you could gift one piece of advice to our learners, what would it be?
I would tell them to read their textbooks. I hear learners say they don’t have time,
but it is so important to have the background that the textbooks give them. Maybe
I am old fashioned, but reading those texts is what saved me when I got my RN license.
I also firmly believe that most people don’t feel they can learn and achieve. I remember
when I finally earned my RN license, how empowered I felt. I think if learners really
want to they can do what it takes. It is a matter of setting priorities and getting
it done. I was an LPN and learned to be an RN through distance learning. There was
no internet at the time. I know it is hard. I also know it can be done.
Do you also wish to pursue an online degree program? Find out more about our flexibile online RN-to-BSN bridge program.
As a nurse, do you have a specialty field that you work in? And why did you choose
that field?
I worked for about 23 years in home health. Before that I had spent time in labor
and delivery, orthopedics, and in the operating room. I became a certified wound,
ostomy and continence nurse (learn about the WOC certification) about 17 years ago and I love it. It is a little known unloved part of nursing.
I really enjoy helping people that really need help and don’t know where else to turn.
Share with us one of your more bizarre nursing stories from your career.
I have taken care of patients with some horrific, large wounds in dirty homes with
dogs sitting beside me.
When you are not being an amazing instructor, you probably are . . . (fill in the
blank)
hiking, walking, reading, and spending time with my husband, kids and grand kids.
Side note: I also love to travel and play the piano.
Why did you want to become a nurse?
I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a child. I love science, helping people,
and I like to be needed. It is a great fit for me.
If you weren’t a nurse, what would you do?
I would be an accountant or a hospital administrator.