Following one's passion can lead nursing educators and scientists to develop nursing knowledge. Influenced by her and her family's experiences with healthcare, Dr. Shannon Avery-Desmarais, a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and scientist, has developed a theoretical framework with her colleagues to promote minority PhD and DNP student success in nursing education. In addition, she and other colleagues are looking at stigma in nursing students and how nursing education can decrease stigma toward patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). In this column, Dr. Avery-Desmarais shares her influences on nursing knowledge and discusses her early contributions to nursing.
Keywords: LGBTQ health; nurse scientist; opioid use disorder; stigma; theoretical framework.