National Nurses Week: The Power of Nurses

National Nurses Week is an annual celebration of the dedication, impact and selflessness of the country’s most trusted profession. This year’s national theme is “The Power of Nurses.” We asked some Texas A&M University College of Nursing students, faculty and staff to reflect on what their chosen profession means to them.

Nathan Mangibin
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student
Austin, Texas

My mission as a soon-to-be nurse has always been to provide high quality, compassionate care; to be an advocate for my patients to address what’s most important to them; and to provide them with resources to empower them to make healthier choices. To the patients I have taken care of and will take care of, I hope they feel heard and cared for in a meaningful way.

The “Power of Nurses” resides in our ability to connect with patients, offering compassion and support in their time of need. Through a holistic approach to medicine, nurses are able to advocate for much more than just physical needs, including mental, social and financial well-being. Through the “Power of Nurses,” I strive to empower patients to improve overall well-being and maintain a higher quality of life.

Paul Thomas Clements, PhD, RN, ANEF, CGS, DF-IAFN, DF-AFN
Clinical Professor

Being a nurse means standing at the intersection of science and humanity, where compassion guides every evidence-based decision I make. My career has been devoted to giving voice to those affected by trauma, loss and violence—particularly the most vulnerable among us, including children, survivors of interpersonal violence and underserved communities. Nursing is not only my profession, but also my life’s platform for education, advocacy and systemic change. It is through forensic nursing that I’ve found my deepest calling: to confront injustice with clinical precision, trauma-informed care and fierce empathy. Ultimately, being a nurse means walking beside those who suffer—not only to heal, but to elevate and empower.

I use the “Power of Nurses” to illuminate the darkest corners of trauma, grief and violence—bringing both clinical skill and human compassion to those who often feel forgotten. Through education, I empower future forensic nurses to lead with empathy and scientific rigor, ensuring they are equipped to serve with integrity and impact. My research and publications elevate critical conversations around interpersonal violence, trauma-informed care and systemic inequities. I engage in national and international advocacy to shape policy and expand access to forensic services, especially for marginalized populations. Ultimately, I wield the power of nursing as a force for justice, healing and transformation—one patient, one nurse, one system at a time.

Bethany Mitchell, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse III, Texas A&M Health Mobile Clinic

Being a nurse is making a commitment to yourself and to those who you serve. A nurse sets a standard of care, empathy, respect and consideration that they hold for themselves, their colleagues and the community. Nurses represent more than themselves; they represent hope and community. The world trusts nurses to be a light in the dark, a comforting word, a determined ally, a skilled communicator. Being a nurse means being worthy of that trust.

The “Power of Nurses” creates opportunities to step into the community, into our patients’ lives and into the collaborative care team and be a catalyst of change. No one else sees what a nurse sees or knows what a nurse knows. The “Power of Nurses” is in our strength and ability to bring together a diverse collection of knowledge and skills unique to our discipline, which allows us to advocate and educate for holistic and exceptional care.

Caylie ‘Cay’ Dunnam
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student
Big Spring, Texas

To me, aspiring to become a nurse means choosing a life rooted in purpose, compassion and connection. It’s about learning to be someone others can rely on during their hardest and most vulnerable moments. Even as a student, I can already feel how much nursing asks of you—your mind, heart and presence—and how much meaning it gives back. At its core, nursing is about humanity: seeing people as whole human beings and treating them all with dignity, respect and care. I’m truly excited to grow into a nurse who supports people physically, emotionally and mentally.

As a nursing student, I’m learning that the “Power of Nurses” lies in combining knowledge, skill and compassion to make a real difference in people’s lives. I try to use that power by staying fully present, slowing down, listening closely and creating a space where people feel safe, seen and heard. Even in my on-campus clinicals, I’ve seen how small moments of connection can be just as important as clinical tasks. Nursing isn’t only about treating a condition; it’s about caring for the whole person behind it. That’s exactly the kind of nursing practice I am working to build.

Lacey Helmke, MSN, RNC-OB
Lecturer

Being a nurse is about making a difference in people’s lives every day. Nurses are committed to serving others with empathy, compassion and respect. Nursing also requires strong teamwork and collaboration, as we rely on each other’s strengths to deliver exceptional care. Lifelong learning is another key element in nursing, and patients depend on our ability grow and adapt to the ever-evolving complexities of healthcare.

I use the “Power of Nursing” to make a difference by educating the next generation of nurses. My goal is to provide teaching and clinical guidance that helps mold students into nursing professionals. In addition to helping students develop clinical competence, I also strive to empower students to become advocates for their patients and communities. By modeling the Aggie Core Values and a passion for the nursing profession, I hope to make a lasting impact in our students.

Brooks Hutton
Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Student
Conroe, Texas

Being a nurse means standing beside others through the worst—sometimes final—moments of their lives. It means meeting people where they are and empowering them to move toward where they hope to be. It’s about offering compassion without judgment and care without hesitation. We show up, day after day, with empathy, knowledge and strength—because being a nurse means truly and deeply caring about people.

The nursing profession is built on teamwork, a theme that unites nurses across industries, specialties and practice settings. The most positive impacts on my patients’ lives happen when I collaborate with fellow nurses to overcome challenges that no one should have to solve alone. Our collaboration drives innovation, promotes patient safety and strengthens both our professional bonds and the quality of care we provide. Working together is the greatest use of our power, and the difference we make is profoundly meaningful—not only to patients and their families, but also to us as nurses.