In the news: Nursing’s Terry A. Badger devoted to helping others
Longtime Nursing researcher and professor’s work focuses on reducing health disparities and improving quality of life for cancer survivors and families
Terry A. Badger, PhD, RN, has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and their families and caregivers.
No doubt about it, Terry A. Badger, PhD, RN, is a people person.
“People are endlessly fascinating,” said Badger, director of research initiatives for the University of Arizona College of Nursing.
She grew up in the Phoenix area, surrounded by engineers, but Badger gravitated toward health care. She started out as a psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse on the front lines of helping people and working with veterans and their families.
“I do believe that being a nurse is an honor and a privilege, and we get to share times in people’s lives that other people don’t,” Badger said. “As a nurse, sometimes it’s nice just to allow people to have a conversation with you, and you give them the time. Time and presence are absolutely critical in nursing care.”
As much as she loved interacting with patients, Badger decided to step away from direct care because she realized she could make more of an impact on people’s lives through research.