Varndell joins nursing faculty

This archived article was written by: Casey Warren

USU Eastern’s nursing department continues to build its program with the addition of Becky Varndell. She is an adjunct faculty member and works, “in the classroom, lab, simulation and clinical settings in the community.”
Varndell, “completed a bachelor’s of science in nursing at Grand Canyon University. [She is] currently working on [her] master’s of science in nursing education at Western Governor’s University and hopes to finish that this semester.”
Thinking back to her college experiences, she said, “My favorite memories from college were when I attended school in Florida. There was nothing better than taking a blanket out by the lake and studying with my friends in the sunshine.”
A common question students and faculty at USU Eastern get is, how did you end up at USUE? Varndell responds, “I started three years ago as a clinical instructor. The coordinator at that time was someone I knew and she encouraged me to apply for the position.”
Varndell’s job focuses on her students and their successes. “The best part of my job is helping students succeed. I am willing to put in whatever it takes to help them. That light bulb moment, when someone who has struggled understanding a concept but they finally get it, gives me the greatest joy. The hardest thing for me is when I realize that I am working harder to see someone succeed then they are. Nursing is a difficult profession and requires a lot of study; some students are not ready to make that type of commitment.”
Varndell has a passion that helps her to truly prosper in her career. “I have a passion for mentoring. I have had many [individuals] mentor me throughout my life; be it women helping me be the best woman I could be, to nurses helping me to grow in my profession. If I can impact another’s life the way that they have impacted mine, then I consider myself successful.”
Thinking about a change she would like to see in the world, she said, “I think that the hardest thing for me to see is, people in underprivileged nations that are dying from diseases that a vaccine can prevent. [Also when they are] not receiving the medical care that we take for granted in this country. I cannot go now because I am raising young children, but when they have grown up, I want to go on medical-mission trips to care for those facing these circumstances.”
When she has time, Varndell enjoys her free time. “I wish I had more free time with working full-time at the college, part-time at the hospital and going to school. I look forward to this summer. For now though, I cherish my time off and spend it with my husband and three boys.”
Varndell shares a little piece of inspiration. “A quote that has inspired my nursing career is by Maya Angelou, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ It is easy to get task oriented with all of the demands in nursing, but this reminds me to take the extra time with my patients and their families.”