It’s common for a student to feel drawn to nursing because they want to help people. But for Melissa L. Weir, PhD, RN, CNE, CPEN, CEN, Dean of Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing’s campus in Falls Church, Virginia, the journey started in a much less conventional way, with a dare.
It all began back in high school, specifically Clara Barton High School for the Health Professions in Brooklyn, NY. During a summer program focused on dentistry, Dr. Weir and a friend found themselves underwhelmed. The work was interesting but not challenging enough.
Then, they heard about nursing. Everyone said it was hard, so Dr. Weir decided to give it a shot. “It was literally like a dare,” she says. “I think I’m going to do that.”
She went through a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, but her faculty were crystal clear that this was just the first step. They encouraged her to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and pursue leadership.
As Dr. Weir took on new roles and experiences, she discovered that nursing was more than just helping people. It was about leading a team to improve outcomes for individuals, as well as entire communities.
“It stuck and I realized that this was what I was called to do,” she recalls. “It was so challenging, and it’s so stimulating.”
The lifelong learning and room for growth in every phase of one’s journey through their profession kept her hooked.
A Growing Passion for Nursing
As her career in nursing grew, so did her passion. Early on, Dr. Weir was driven to excel in each clinical setting, including pediatrics, where she explains she became “an expert in [her] field”. When she transitioned to emergency nursing, she took every course she could to become the best trauma nurse she could be.
While she had many great clinical experiences over her years as a nurse, a theme of teaching began to emerge.
“I didn’t have [my experiences] just to help the [patient]. Maybe I had those experiences to help teach someone else, to bring in the next generation of nurses,” she explains.
Even while working at the bedside, Dr. Weir was a natural educator, always precepting and mentoring newer nurses.
“Teaching is my oxygen,” she says. It’s the core of who she is, whether she’s in a clinical setting or in leadership. For her, teaching is the best way to contribute to the nursing profession, helping to mold the next generation of nurses.
Becoming a Leader at Arizona College of Nursing
So, how did this passion for teaching lead her to become your Dean? Dr. Weir explains it was a matter of timing and opportunity.
A mutual friend told her about a Dean position opening up, and Dr. Weir, who had recently completed her doctoral education in nursing education, was ready for a new challenge. She was excited to learn about the operational and business side of academia, and the college’s culture and mission were a great fit.
“I knew it was time for me to get into leadership and utilize what I learned, studied, and practiced in school,” she says.
Now as Dean of AZCN’s Falls Church campus, she sets clear goals for herself and for the College. She is focused on teaching the students and helping them reach their own goals for their nursing careers. Weir is confident she can reach her goals for the College, especially with the support of the campus president and a talented team.
Speaking of her team, Weir is most proud of the culture and faculty she’s helping to build. She focuses on developing her faculty members’ skills and passions, sending them to conferences, and encouraging them to share their knowledge. This commitment to professional growth is a huge win, as it leads to high retention and a strong team.
When asked about specific faculty who are making a big impact, Dr. Weir is quick to shout-out to Kevin T. Gore, Sr. Executive Director, Enrollment Services. Dr. Weir shares an amazing story about a new adjunct faculty member who, when they met Kevin, revealed that he was the reason she went to nursing school in the first place. It was a powerful, full-circle moment that highlights the commitment and passion of the entire team.
Though her journey to nursing leadership was fueled by a high school dare, it has turned into a lifelong passion for learning, leading, and, most importantly, teaching.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of April 13, 2026.
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.