---
title: "Empowering the Next Generation: A Nursing Educator’s Mission"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/a-nursing-educators-mission/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-01-12
date_modified: 2026-04-10
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 810
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/a-nursing-educators-mission/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Nursing-School-Clinical-Lab.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Nursing
  - Resources
---

# Empowering the Next Generation: A Nursing Educator’s Mission

![Nursing School Clinical Lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Nursing-School-Clinical-Lab.webp)

Many nursing students worry about whether they’ll feel prepared for the
realities of patient care. At Arizona College of Nursing, faculty like Laura
Enright, MSN, RN, iRNPA, bring decades of real-world experience into the
classroom to bridge that gap. 

Enright’s journey to nursing education began with a late start in college and a
clear passion for people-oriented work. Nursing, she discovered, was the perfect
fit. 

“I have not one regret. I love being a nurse,” she says. 

## Building a Career on Passion and Purpose 

For Enright, nursing has always been about two core passions: patient-centered
care and empowering others. Her approach to patient care is guided by a simple,
yet powerful, philosophy. 

![Hands On Nursing Experience at a Nursing Program Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Hands-On-Nursing-Experience-at-a-Nursing-Program-Near-Me.webp?w=1024)

“At the end of the day you just have to look at them, and if this is the person
I loved most in the world, how would I want them to be treated?” she shares. 

Equally important to her is the empowerment of her students. She understands
that working in the healthcare field can be a challenge, and she focuses much of
her time and effort on ways she can
[give new nurses the tools to feel confident](https://arizonacollege.edu/student-services)
. Her goal: to ensure that what her students and future nurses do is not only
safe but also meaningful. 

Enright wants every student to leave her classroom feeling like they can truly
make a difference, not just as a professional, but as a person. 

“I strive to make sure students – and all nurses – feel empowered,” she shares. 

## From Bedside to Educator 

Enright’s extensive clinical background spans from intermediate care to working
at a Level 1 trauma center ICU in Chicago. These experiences provided her with a
deep understanding of high-acuity nursing. However, a unique opportunity came to
her while working in the ICU. It was here that she was asked to become a nurse
educator for a medical equipment company. 

“I learned what perceived education should be, what nurses respond to,” she
says. “I became their lead clinical educator, and […] I found out I really
wanted to teach.” 

This role opened her eyes to the exciting and seemingly never-ending world of
education. She discovered her passion for teaching and knew that she wanted to
expand her skills beyond just one clinical area. 

Then, she found Arizona College of Nursing, which she explains offered the
perfect opportunity to teach across multiple areas, including didactic,
[lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
, and clinical. This “three-pronged” approach is a significant advantage for
AZCN students, giving them the opportunity to learn from an instructor who can
guide them through the full spectrum of their training. 

![Clinical Lab in Nursing Program](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Clinical-Lab-in-Nursing-Program.webp?w=1024)

By seeing the same faculty member in each environment, students experience more
consistency and are able to have a level of mentorship that deepens their
learning at every step. 

Enright loves being in the lab, where she can get hands-on with students and
help them truly understand the material. 

## Celebrating Student Success and Innovation 

![How to Become an ICU Nurse](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/How-to-Become-an-ICU-Nurse.webp?w=1024)

Enright enjoys working at Arizona College of Nursing for many reasons, including
its focus on student success. She is proud of her team for constantly evaluating
and improving the
[curriculum](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/curriculum/) to
ensure students are well-prepared for their careers. 

“It’s always student focused and it’s always about making sure they are ready to
get out of here the best way,” she explains. 

One of her proudest achievements has been the development of a skills boot camp.
This program uses data to identify areas where students are struggling and
provides them with targeted support. It is a testament to the college’s
commitment to creating confident and competent nurses. 

The greatest reward, she says, is seeing students graduate and begin their
careers. 

“It has been awesome lately to hear from our alumni that are… winning like 3
DAISY Awards,” she says. 

The DAISY award is a nationally recognized honor that is given to nurses who
provide exceptional, compassionate care. For Enright, seeing her former students
earn this award is a reminder of their dedication and the impact they will make
in the field. 

For Enright, the “a-ha!” moments in the classroom and the joy of seeing her
students succeed are what keep her motivated. Her journey from the ICU to the
classroom is a powerful reminder that nursing is not just a job, but a calling
to empower and care for others. 

**Categories:** Nursing School