TONL Member Spotlight: Tera Skeen

Tera Skeen
Graduate Student
Baylor College of Medicine/University of Houston-Downtown

Certifications
I am working towards receiving the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) and am already an American Heart Association BLS Faculty, Instructor, and Site Coordinator for Baylor Medicine. I also have ACLS, PALS, and am FEMA NIMS and ICS certified.

How has TONL contributed to your career?
Not only do I find the chapter meetings and annual conferences interesting and mentally stimulating, but I am able to discuss today’s nursing challenges with my peers in a manner that positively influences my everyday practice. I also participate on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, which I find extremely fulfilling and helps me feel I am making a lasting impact on the nursing profession.

What is your background in the nursing field?
Emergency/trauma, pediatrics, research, pediatric anesthesia, PACU (adult and pediatric), and now quality.

What are your plans for future growth?
My overall goal is to become director of nursing at a pediatric organization. I would like to impart my passion and drive to help others, to other nurses.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy leading a team to positive change in addition to spearheading new initiatives for the college.

Do you have a personal tidbit to share?
"For fun", I teach the capstone class for nurses pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I also volunteer at the Wildlife Center of Texas, and love feeding baby squirrels!

What is your community involvement/service?
Texas Medical Center (TMC) Hero (nominated by Baylor College of Medicine leadership); Baylor College of Medicine – Quality and Safety Board of Directors Committee; Baylor College of Medicine – Nursing Leadership Council & Clinical Advancement Program Committee; University of Houston – Downtown Health Professions Partner Advisory Committee; University of Houston Downtown – Houston Community College Joint Advisory Committee; Chevron Houston Marathon Finish Line Medical Team; Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo - Gatekeepers & Scholarship Judging Committee; Active volunteer at the Wildlife Center of Texas.