Elizabeth Minchau

Tell us about your role within the School of Nursing.

I have worked in the Adult Health Department since 2002. I teach NSG 250 - Clinical Nursing Pharmacology, NSG 312 - Adult Health II, NSG 706 - Advanced Pathophysiology, and NSG 412 - Senior Leadership. I am also a nurse practitioner and work for the Emergency Department in the Urgent Care and Student Health locations.

What do you love about being a nurse?

Being a nurse is truly an honor. It allows you to connect with people when they are most in need of support. I love learning about my patients and their families and figuring out how I can best assist them in living healthy and meaningful lives. I am a natural problem solver, so diagnosing and treating medical problems is exciting for me!

What do you love about teaching in the School of Nursing?

I love to instill both curiosity and compassion in students. I really enjoy seeing the “lightbulb go off” when a student finally begins to understand a difficult concept, medication, or disease process. I have a front row seat as students navigate their way to becoming competent, caring and loving healthcare providers. I also really enjoy sharing my professional clinical experiences with my students to help them see just how influential they can be in someone’s life story.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?

They keep me young! When I started working at the School of Nursing, I was just a few years older than my students! Now, that age gap is much wider, but I really do feel like they keep me grounded, open-minded, flexible, intuitive and compassionate. Plus, I really enjoy seeing their enthusiasm for nursing and healthcare – it is contagious!

Why should a prospective nursing student choose the WVU School of Nursing?

We have a very supportive and caring faculty here. I have seen my colleagues cry with students, cheer for students, and do all in their power to support them in their personal and professional pursuits. Our faculty works together beautifully to help meet the needs of our students and maximize their learning opportunities. Our clinical facilities are some of the best in the nation. Morgantown is a great city to live in and you will never meet kinder people than those in West Virginia!