Between the demanding tasks of being a single mother, working full time and pursuing a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree from the college, self-discipline is what separates Cailin McDaniel from the rest.
“Self-discipline kicks in when I lack motivation,” says McDaniel. “I’ve had plenty of moments where I’m like, ‘this is so hard and the demands are so much’ but it’s the discipline that keeps me going. I know where I want to go in my career.”
Though no day is the same, McDaniel plans each week thoroughly to ensure her success. Beginning with her twin boys, who were born during the pandemic, meals are prepared the night prior along with their outfits and day bags which include diapers, formula and other essentials.
By the time the workday is done, dinner, playtime and reading consume the evening hours followed by a routine study session after the twins have been put to bed.
“I try not to study past ten because at that point, I'm not retaining anything and I need to get ready for the next day,” she says.
The role of a remote nurse at Henry Ford Health puts McDaniel front and center for expectant mothers and those seeking women’s health services. Through various mobile applications, patients submit their questions to McDaniel, which she can answer in real-time.
Recent advances in telehealth services, which were triggered by the pandemic, have started to bridge the gap in women’s health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, almost 60 percent of pregnancy-related deaths were found to be preventable. In addition, almost 1.5 million women were estimated to have missed having their mammogram due to the pandemic according to Breast Cancer Now.
Often categorized from high to low priority, McDaniel is able to resolve each question through providing her medical insight or referring patients to other health care settings. She responds to approximately 100 messages per day via her phone or laptop.
McDaniel’s decision to enroll in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program stems back to a troubling time in her youth. At age 13, her father suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which ultimately led to the development of vascular dementia.
She quickly became part of her father’s care team and after he was placed in a long-term care facility, McDaniel learned the ins and outs of elderly care.
“Experiencing him being in nursing homes, the good care, bad care and entire experience drove me to want to be a nurse so I could make positive changes in the field,” she says.
Having obtained her undergraduate degree at the college, McDaniel, a native of Detroit, Mich., was a member of the Achieving Culturally Competent Education and Student Success (ACCESS) Program at the college, which helps motivated students prepare academically by providing financial and educational support.
The solid foundation and support set during her undergraduate years were instrumental in selecting the college as a place to complete her DNP, especially during the unexpected death of her younger brother which came on the heels of finals week.
“That situation left an impression on me as I graduated and it made me want to go back for my DNP,” she says.
Assistant Professor and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program Director Dr. Kara Schrader believes self-discipline is a hallmark of all of her students, including McDaniel.
“Self-discipline is required because there is stuff going on at home,” says Schrader. “Our nurse practitioner students are working in the hospitals and also caring for their families.”
No matter how much is on McDaniel’s plate at once, she’s never searching for an excuse.
“I don't want any extra advantages; I want to come in as a normal student,” she said. “I know what I signed up for and I want to get it done.”
