Faculty with Heart: Anne Marie Leveille

In the Year of the Nurse, I want to thank and acknowledge those who have inspired me in my nursing journey. From the admired nursing professor who showed me how to break down difficult topics into simple and easy concepts, to the nurses in Haiti who never hesitated to take me and my enthusiastic nursing students under their wings during clinicals (their challenging working conditions did not hinder their ability to show us what true compassion, caring, and love for each other, our patients, and the profession were), and to the many nursing colleagues who supported and inspired me at different stages of my career.  Although challenging at times, my journey as a nurse has been very rewarding. The received kindness, compassion, and supports are what fuel my torch and keep me going. I would not be able to keep on marching on without those who were able to lend their helping hands throughout this 35-year journey.  

Thus, my resonating cry: let each of us choose someone to mentor. In the Year of the Nurse, let us continue to carry the lamp of Florence Nightingale and let us be the light that we want in another fellow nurse’s life and career. Regardless of where we are in the profession, novice or expert, early, mid, or late career, we all have something we can share, and can always provide support to another fellow nurse in need. While older and more experienced nurses can share their wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience, new and younger nurses can share their newly acquired knowledge, their youth, energy, and proficiency with technology, to name only a few. Most nurses’ success stories include a supportive fellow nurse, an understanding nursing educator that supported and inspired them through their journey. Today more than ever, we need to support and strengthen each other. We excel in taking care of and being compassionate toward our patients. Let’s translate the call and urge for the caring and love for one another that initially attracted us to the profession so that we can continue to strive and grow. 

Peace and love unlimited, 

Dr. Anne Marie Berthe Leveille-Tulce PhD, RN, MS, MPH 

Assistant Professor, CUNY School of Professional Studies