Rachelle W. Driver
As a young person, I often tagged along with my dad, a dentist, when he would teach classes to dental hygiene students. I was inspired by the fact that he liked his job so much that he wanted to share his knowledge and passion and help others find their own place in the profession. In junior high, I began spending my summers volunteering at one of the local hospitals in my hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. I remember the excitement that I felt as I entered the building each day. My evening conversations were filled with stories of people I had met and things I had seen and learned that day. Later, as I entered and progressed through nursing school, I found that I enjoyed the challenge of working with children and their families. My true passion was revealed when I was placed in the NICU for my Senior Practicum experience. This compassionate and supportive environment was just what I needed. To this day, I continue to be amazed and encouraged by being able to witness the growth and development of tiny premature infants right before my eyes—such mighty souls in the smallest of packages.
I earned a BSN from Belmont School of Nursing in 2000 and went to work at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital gathering experience in various areas of pediatric care including the PICU, NICU, Newborn Nursery, and the holding and recovery room. Following the completion of an accelerated MSN in Nursing Education from Western Kentucky University in 2005, I joined the Belmont faculty as an adjunct clinical instructor while still remaining very active in the care of newborn and premature infants at Summit Medical Center. I became a full-time faculty member in the Fall of 2006.
Currently, I coordinate and teach clinical and lab for the Child and Family Nursing course along with the Senior Practicum component. One of the great things about working with senior-level students is helping them find their nursing passion. I often tell students that it is my hope for them to find an area of practice that moves them to spring out of bed ready to go to work with a smile on their face. When we find what we love, it shows in our actions and benefits our patients and colleagues.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my husband. My other passions are music, flowers, cooking, and our two beloved felines, Chip and Putt.
