Faculty Feature: Pamela Rodriguez

Becoming a nurse was not part of Pamela Rodriguez’s original game plan.

She obtained her engineering degree from West Virginia University and worked as an engineer in the coal mines for seven years. The profession was a difficult one as a woman, but she forged her own path.

After her time with the mines, Dr. Rodriguez decided to stay at home to raise her four children. But once her children grew up, she felt she needed a new purpose. Rodriguez had cared for her brother who had a disability, and she saw how his nurses worked with him and the compassion they showed him. After his passing, she decided to become a nurse.

“I called my local community college to enroll in their nursing program, but they told me I had to retake biology because what I learned was outdated. I did not want to, so I hung up the phone,” said Rodriguez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, lecturer for the School of Nursing.

“My daughter said to me, ‘You want to be a nurse, but one class is standing in your way.’ So, she drove me to the local community college and signed me up for the biology class.”

After passing the class, Rodriguez was accepted into the nursing program and completed her degree — ironically at the same time as her daughter was starting nursing school.

Rodriguez went on to become an oncology nurse and received oncology certification and medical-surgical certification.

“I am a problem solver by nature, so I then decided to become a nurse practitioner in internal medicine,” Rodriguez said. “I loved working as a nurse practitioner, but as my parents were aging, I decided to work part time as a nurse practitioner and part time teaching at the School of Nursing to have a more flexible schedule.”

Rodriguez teaches clinical courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

“I really enjoy teaching and seeing the students’ compassion,” Rodriguez said. “You can’t really teach empathy and compassion, but you can unlock it. The School of Nursing offers students opportunities to unlock it and activate their own empathy. I always tell my students to find their heart for something.

“What I enjoy most about teaching in the School of Nursing is having students with a goal in mind and seeing what each of them brings to the table. We all have unique gifts and talents based on our life experiences and it is neat to see their heart and what they are passionate about.”

Dr. Rodriguez said she loves being a nurse because of the people and knowing she has the ability to help her patients in some way.

“If you are interested in caring for others, then nursing school is a great opportunity. It is never too late. After teaching in the School of Nursing for almost two years, I can say that I have met faculty and staff who are passionate about their job, and we all want to see students succeed. We see the student as a whole person, and we help them to be the best they can be.

“I really enjoy my job. I am really passionate about nursing, and I am so happy that my daughter signed me up for that biology class.”