Week One: Understanding My Why
Sally Dueñas lives in Lansing, Kansas, with her husband and two children. A former Army intelligence officer and proud Navy spouse, she has built a life centered on service, resilience, and leadership. After earning her BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2017, she began her nursing career at a level-one trauma center in Kansas City—a role she found both challenging and deeply rewarding.
Sally has now returned to MNU to pursue her MSN with a specialization in Nursing Education. With her unique background in the military and in nursing, she is passionate about inspiring and preparing the next generation of nurses. Her long-term goal is to serve on the faculty at a school of nursing, where she can help shape future professionals through excellence, compassion, and mentorship.
From Army Intelligence to the Hospital Floor
My journey to nursing has been anything but linear—but that’s what makes it exciting. After high school in 2004, I answered the call to serve my country. At Texas A&M, I joined the Corps of Cadets, where I learned leadership skills in a demanding environment. Over nine years of military training and service, I learned confidence, humility, resilience, and mentorship—skills that would shape everything that followed.
Deployment to Iraq tested every ounce of skill and grit I had. Nearly 360 days in a sun-baked battalion headquarters, I led an intelligence section, analyzed critical data, and mentored my team under high-stakes pressure. The work sharpened my mind, strengthened my leadership, and taught me to think quickly. But I realized: while I could guide teams strategically, I craved a career where my impact would be personal, immediate, and tangible.
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What Drew Me to Nursing
Nursing captivated me because it blends purpose, human connection, and intellectual challenge. I wanted to meet people at their most vulnerable, helping them navigate life-altering moments while applying clinical expertise.
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On the Orthopedics/Neurology/Trauma floor at Research Medical Center, I learned the intensity of hospital life firsthand. One day, I stabilized a patient with a gunshot wound; the next, I comforted a young man grappling with permanent injuries from a car accident. I watched another patient recover from a major spinal cord injury, slowly regaining alertness and mobility after weeks of care.
In the middle of this chaos, I discovered what truly matters: connection, compassion, and decisive action under pressure. Skills I had honed in the Army became invaluable on the floor, and the guidance of mentors—through their feedback, encouragement, and reflection—helped me grow not only as a nurse but as a leader.
In addition, my experience on this floor provided me with advanced clinical expertise and the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. More importantly, it reinforced the value of human connection and compassionate care. Supporting patients and families during their most vulnerable moments strengthened my communication skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to provide holistic care—qualities I continue to carry forward in my nursing practice.
Becoming a Nurse Educator
Nursing allows me to merge science with human connection. It challenges me intellectually while also offering the opportunity to make a real and tangible impact in people’s lives. Today’s healthcare environment is fast-paced, ever-changing, and complex, requiring leaders who can adapt, innovate, and guide teams through uncertainty. Effective leaders must not only navigate chaos themselves but also help others adapt, keeping the focus on growth and potential rather than stagnation (Albert & Pappas, 2025).
Steve Jobs’ TED Talk How to Live Before You Die (2005) shares powerful lessons about purpose and fulfillment. I recently shared one of his quotes with a friend who, like me, was transitioning from Army intelligence into nursing, and we agreed: life is too short to settle. The most rewarding path is one that challenges us, inspires us, and leaves a lasting impact. For me, that path is nursing education. I want to help nursing students reach their goals and teach them to make a tangible difference in healthcare. Becoming a nurse educator allows me to shape the next generation—nurturing excellence, compassion, and resilience.
The Qualities That Define Me
Having moved several times and adapted to many new environments, I’ve learned resilience, flexibility, and the ability to embrace change. These experiences—combined with my roles as a military spouse, mother, and nurse—have taught me the importance of persistence and self-awareness. While I never imagined moving as often as I have, I’ve come to see that life’s detours often lead to the most meaningful growth. I am grateful for where these experiences have brought me, and now I am ready to focus more intentionally on myself by dedicating my energy to advancing my education and pursuing my goals in nursing and leadership.
Leading With Purpose
Simon Sinek’s concept of knowing your “why” resonates deeply with me. He challenges us to consider: Why do we get up in the morning and do what we do? His idea that we think and communicate from the inside out is a powerful reminder of the importance of purpose. For me, understanding my “why” guides my decisions, strengthens my leadership, and inspires those around me—whether at the bedside, in my return to school, or at home with my family (Sinek, 2009).
Porter-O’Grady reminds us that healthcare is a living, evolving system, and in today’s digital age, ownership is essential for progress. When nurses and teams have ownership of their practice, accountability follows naturally because they see themselves as part of the outcome. Leaders who create this culture of ownership—through trust, collaboration, and transparency—empower teams to be resilient, innovative, and ready for the challenges of modern healthcare.Returning to school reflects my commitment to lifelong learning. It challenges me to expand my knowledge, refine my skills, and grow as a leader. This pursuit of growth extends beyond my professional role into my personal life as both a mother and a military spouse, where adaptability, resilience, and intentional action are essential every day. Lifelong learning is also a core expectation of effective leadership, as leaders must continuously adapt to complexity and change in order to guide others with purpose and vision (Albert & Pappas, 2025).Finding Joy Outside Work
Nature is my sanctuary. Hiking through forests, feeling leaves crunch underfoot, and breathing in the crisp, pine-scented air reminds me of the vastness of the world—and that even as a small part of it, I can make a difference. Recently, I spent a week hiking with female veterans, sharing stories, confronting past struggles, and finding healing in the rhythm of the trail. Watching them shed old burdens and embrace the present was transformative. Each step in the wilderness fills me with perspective, gratitude, and energy that I carry back into my professional life.
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Conclusion
My journey may have been winding, but each twist has led me to a career that blends purpose, intellect, and heart. Nursing allows me to lead with empathy, integrity, and resilience while growing continuously, personally and professionally. Understanding my “why” is more than reflection—it’s a compass guiding my path in advanced nursing practice and leadership, helping me make a real difference in the lives of patients, students, and the future of healthcare.
References
Albert, N. M., & Pappas, S. (2025). Quantum leadership: Creating sustainable value in health care (7th ed., pp. 1–96). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Jobs, S. (2005, June). How to live before you die [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die?language=en
Porter-O’Grady, T. (2015, April 16). AONE thought leader: Tim Porter O’Grady [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ytAV0jcIVPc
Sinek, S. (2009, September). How great leaders inspire action [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?referrer=playlist-how_to_make_a_great_presentation&autoplay=true
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