One of the Original Three: Meet Karen Sincerbeaux

Karen Sincerbeaux has been with Nightingale College since its opening and can officially take the title as one of the original three instructors to be hired. Her immense background in nursing shines as she works one on one with our learners. Her passion for nursing bloomed as her love of serving others grew.

How long have you worked at Nightingale College?
I started April 11, 2011. I am one of the first original three instructors to be hired.

What is your current position with the College and what is your favorite part about your role?
I am an Assistant Professor and work as a lab/clinical instructor. I work a lot with first and second semester learners. My favorite part of my role is meeting new learners from all walks of life, connecting from the heart, and helping them to fulfill their dream to make a difference in this world.

What is your highest degree and where did you attend school?
I have a Masters in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. I graduated in April, 2015.

Why did you decide to become a nursing instructor?
I am very passionate about people and the importance of relationships. I wanted to make the biggest impact on the next generation of nurses and being an educator allows me to accomplish this. How we model nursing as educators is so incredibly influential to the kind of nurses we create at Nightingale.

Reflecting back, what was one of the more challenging situations either while you were in nursing school or during your nursing career? How did you overcome it?
This is a very personal story but if it impacts your heart then it was worth sharing. My father died when I was in my third year of nursing school. Needless to say it was a struggle. Soon after I was given a dying patient to care for at clinical and I fell apart. I was then told by one of my nursing instructors that I did not have what it took to be an RN. I overcame this obstacle by becoming an RN with my BSN, became a nurse educator and got my MSN. I love living our core values and demonstrating love and compassion!

Why did you want to become a nurse? And what is your favorite part about being a nurse?
I became a nurse because I love people, helping them to feel better and pay it forward. I believe we need to be prevention oriented in this country with regard to healthcare and we need to teach accountability for our health. My favorite part of nursing is the relationships, supporting people to cope and understand what is going on with their health.

Could you share what your opinion is about continuing education on past an ASN degree and what you believe the benefits are?
Education helps you to grow in ways you cannot even imagine. You look at things from a broader perspective, you grow confidence in all areas of your life, you are in awe at something that you accomplished that maybe you never felt you could accomplish! One of the best benefits is that you are an inspiration to others!

Who is your hero?
Jesus- he has and continues to do an incredible work in me.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
There are so many- getting my Master’s degree was a huge one!

What did you want to be when you were a child?
A veterinarian!

Share a hobby that you love to do.
Singing and songwriting.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Beware of your personal space! This woman knows how to HUG and she’ll do it!!!

Where is your ideal vacation?
Someplace warm and on the beach!

Share anything else you would like people to know.
I adore my family ( husband Rob and three children- Jesse, Genevieve and Joshua) and friends . I am honored to work with many amazing people at Nightingale. I adore my Baptist church, True Vine, where I am a Deaconess. I lost my beloved cats Rama and Gabriel this summer so if I speak about them you will understand my sadness. I am blessed to teach at Nightingale and I am honored to know each and every one of you!