I am so pleased to feature yet another wonderful nurse on the “SoulShine Series” today. Today’s featured nurse is someone that I look up to and admire. I have been honored to be a witness to her bed-side manner and her gentle, yet highly effective teaching style. I have modeled my nursing practice after hers many times and learned a great deal from her. Dr. Tera Smith Riddick is not only a great nurse and instructor, but an awesome friend as well. Here is more about her in her own words :
Tera Smith Riddick, MSN, PhD., RN, SANE
I began my nursing career upon graduating nursing school in December 2005. I graduated from Meridian Community College with my ADN. Later, I obtained my BSN from the University of Phoenix, Masters in Nursing Education from William Carey University, as well as my PhD from William Carey University in 2015. In May 2017, I will complete my degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from USM. This past summer, I obtained my certification as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Forensic Nurse.) My nursing career started at Forrest General and Hattiesburg Clinic, with specialty experiences ranging from Women’s/Children’s (OB, Pediatrics, Neonatal Nursing,) home care, peri-operative, psych, and wound care. Most recently, for the past five years, I have been a nursing professor (Pearl River Community College and USM,) instructing our future nurses in competent and compassionate nursing care. I recently accepted a new position at USM as the Director of Health Education. This position will allow me to become more involved with not just nursing students, but college students as a whole. My love for health care extends to our future, and educating our children on the impact their social decisions will make on their health in the future. My professional career has led to opportunities allowing me to publish articles in an online E-magazine, Heart2Heart Concept Magazine, and most recently, becoming a Review Analyst for Medtutor.com Publishing.
I belong to several professional organizations including: Mississippi Nurses Association, where I serve as the current 2nd Vice President for District 7, American Nurses Association, Mississippi Association for Nurse Practitioners, Association for Women’s Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing, and Association for Black Nursing Faculty. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In November 2015, I had the pleasure to help organize and charter the first chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated in the state of Mississippi. This is the Hattiesburg chapter, where I serve as secretary.
My community involvement includes, Hope Clinic (formerly known as Pregnancy Choices.) This is by far one of the best community service projects I am involved in. There I have served as a care coordinator. This position allows me to be an advocate for young ladies who are pregnant, and help guide them through tough situations. As many of you may know, I became a mother at the age of 19 while in my first year of college. Therefore, this is near and dear to my heart. Upon my new position at USM, I will continue my involvement with the Hope Clinic as a Board Director. I have been involved with the Step-Up Youth Leadership Initiative for several years, mentoring individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. Also, my hobby as an “extreme couponer” has allowed me to bless so many families in the community.
My most proud accomplishment is being a wife and a mother to my three children. These three heartbeats are my reason for my determination to have better and to do better each day of my life. They are my legacy. A legacy of love, faith, and integrity.
