USF Nursing Student, Carly Paterson, featured in Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence website

University of South Florida College of Nursing BS-PhD student, Carly Paterson, MS, was featured in the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence Spotlight in an extensive interview posted online.

Paterson, who is a Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar, was invited to discuss her life, passion for nursing, the Jonas Center, and more. Paterson received the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholar Program Scholarship in 2012. She was awarded a total of $20,000 in funding.

“I have learned a significant amount about networking, and I appreciate the opportunities that the Jonas Center provided for this, both with other scholars and with my state action coalition,” said Paterson during the Q&A session on Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence website. “I now have a permanent awareness of health policy and the vital importance of nursing having a voice in the shaping of our healthcare system and the healthcare policy that impacts our profession.”

As a Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar, Paterson has the opportunity to interact with expert scientists and researchers at the College of Nursing, in other areas of USF Health and at multiple clinical partner facilities. Paterson has regular meetings with her mentor, Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN, Professor and Director of the BS-PhD Program at the USF College of Nursing. She also serves as Research Associate for Dr. Lengacher’s NIH-funded R01 bio-behavioral “MBSR Symptom Cluster Trial.”

Paterson’s research focuses on addressing unmet needs for symptom relief in younger women with breast cancer and bio-behavioral intervention research that can assist younger women with cancer.

Jonas Center, funded by Barbara Jonas Family Fund, is an organization that offers advance scholarships focusing on leadership, innovation, and partnerships across the philanthropic, business, policy, and education sectors.

To read Paterson’s full interview on the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence click here.

For related stories on Paterson visit the USF College of Nursing News Page here.