Shirley Wiggins, PhD, caps 43-year nursing career

Shirley Wiggins, PhD, can’t recall just one story that showed her that she had selected the right profession. It’s the many experiences with children, families, students and colleagues throughout her career that reminded her that she truly was in the right place.

After 43 years, she will retire this month from the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division.

The associate professor said it was her parents who encouraged her to pursue a career that makes a difference.

Because she always enjoyed science as her favorite subject and enjoyed working with people, she chose nursing.

Dr. Wiggins began teaching in 1978 at Kearney State College’s nursing department before the college in 1991 became the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division as part of the University of Nebraska. She had been a practicing pediatric nurse and clinical nurse specialist before that.

After earning her PhD in nursing in 2002, she and her family moved to Lincoln, where she began teaching at the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division.

As a faculty member, she passed on her knowledge to thousands of students, as well as published research on pediatric pain that led to improvements in patients' lives.

"I am proud to have a career in a profession has that allowed me to continue to develop as a nurse, teacher, researcher and to serve," Dr. Wiggins said. "I valued teaching undergraduates and graduate students in a variety of courses, clinical agencies and in research and evidence-based learning experiences.

"Serving on committees and task forces to design and implement a curriculum that focused on students as active participants in their learning allowed faculty to create innovative learning experiences. Developing clinical opportunities in pediatric nursing, mentoring undergraduates and graduate students in my research focus on pediatric pain was rewarding."

She said other highlights include teaching children and families to manage their care and notes from families expressing gratitude for the opportunity to participate in her research.

Though she is retiring from the college, she plans to continue part time in practice as a nurse scientist with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. The rest of the time she plans to spend with family (including her seven grandchildren), renew favorite hobbies, travel and connect with friends.