Dinah Walsh
Up Close Reporter
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
nsna@nsna.org

It is with great joy that I take on the role of Up Close Reporter for Imprint magazine. I am a senior in the BSN program at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY and I continue to build my nursing skills upon a solid base of “people” and business skills. To summarize my journey to nursing, I walked in combat boots as a soldier, battled against cancer, fired a surgeon, started two businesses (sold one and still help run the other), gained compassion by suffering my own losses, and learned courage from my mom. I dance through this life with the love of my life, Bill, who helps me daily to reach a little higher.

I encourage NSNA members to take a look around and find that amazing individual who stands out. The Up Close column profiles an individual NSNA member who goes above and beyond. We all know that working through nursing school successfully is, in and of itself, a huge achievement. But do you know someone who’s balancing all that and more? It is someone who volunteers at a shelter after clinicals? Is it an individual who has built or revitalized a chapter from the ground up? What makes this individual special? Please nominate an individual at nsna@nsna.org, Attn: Up Close Reporter, and let me know why this person should be profiled in Imprint. I look forward to speaking to many wonderful people this year. Good luck in 2008-09!