In this episode of “Why I Teach,” Dr. Flo Weierbach, a seasoned nurse and professor at East Tennessee State University’s College of Nursing, talks with Provost Kimberly D. McCorkle about her journey from providing direct care to teaching the next generation of nurses. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Weierbach discusses her research on caregiver health, the challenges of rural health care, and the importance of interprofessional education for nurses. She also provides a snapshot of her experience with the Nurse Narratives Initiative.Transcript: Dr. Flo WeierbachSo when I think about what's most important that I want my students to learn is: how to be kind, how to share, how to listen, and how to meet people where they're at.Provost Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkleHi, I'm Kimberly McCorkle, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at East Tennessee State University. From the moment I arrived on this campus, I have been inspired by our faculty, their passion for what they do, their belief in the power of higher education, and the way they are transforming the lives of their students. This podcast is dedicated to them, our incredible faculty at ETSU.Hear their stories as they tell us "Why I Teach."In this episode, we will talk with Doctor Flo Weierbach. Dr. Weierbach is a Registered Nurse and professor at East Tennessee State University's College of Nursing. She has over 40 years of nursing experience in providing direct care to individuals and their families in community settings. She has served as the nurse on multiple interprofessional health care teams and has conducted research focused on caregiver health.Upon completion of her Ph.D., she completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship focusing on rural communities and chronic health conditions of rural residents at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Additionally, she was a Rural Health Fellow from 2012 through 2013 for the National Rural Health Association, a member of the American Nurses Association Public Health Scope and Standards Workgroup, and as the founding president of the Rural Nurse Organization Appalachian Region Tri-State Chapter.Enjoy the show. Dr. Weierbach, welcome to the show.I start my podcast with the same question for every guest. Take me back to your first day of teaching at ETSU as a faculty member, and looking back on that day, what is one piece of advice that you would have given yourself?Dr. Flo WeierbachI think the biggest thing I would say is that I need to relax. When I first entered the building, it was hard to find my office, and I was like, "Where is this?" It’s not what I remembered. And the first day I was in the classroom, I left my jacket in the classroom. So I would say, relax.Provost Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle Yes, always great advice.You've had an extensive career in nursing with over 40 years of experience. What first drew you to the field, and how has that passion for nursing evolved over the years?Dr. Flo WeierbachMy mother was a nurse, and she always wanted me to be a nurse. I didn't want to be a nurse, but I was working in a nursing home, going to the community college for a different degree, and recognized how important it was that I was there. And I knew I could do more as a nurse than as an aide.Over the years, I've evolved to discover and to care for people where they live. When I left the hospital after about eight years, after I got my bachelor's degree, I never looked back. I’ve been in the hospital since then, but very infrequently. So I would say really meeting people where they’re at.Provost Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkleWhat inspired you to transition from direct care to teaching at ETSU College of Nursing?Dr. Flo WeierbachI, like I said before, when I was in the hospital, it was one at a time that I was providing care for. Then I moved into the community setting, and it was a family home. Then I further moved into our community action, and it was the community.What pushed me to