We are excited to welcome Heather Schueler to our school’s Academy of Health Professions (Nursing) program! With a wealth of experience and a passion for healthcare and nursing, Heather Schueler is set to inspire and educate the next generation of healthcare professionals here at Tech.
Ms. Schueler comes to us from no other than Harford County. She attended North Harford elementary, middle, and high schools and was introduced to the healthcare field after graduation. After graduating from North Harford High, she attended Harford Community College and graduated in the fall of 2003 with an associate’s degree in nursing, then enrolled into Stevenson University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Outside of nursing Ms. Schueler enjoys gardening, horseback riding, and playing softball. She’s full of kindness and is excited to start her first year at Tech.
The best teachers are the ones with experience in their field. Heather Schueler has been in the healthcare field for a total of 25 years. Starting off as a Unit Secretary on the medical floor, she advanced into a student nurse role, becoming more involved in-patient care and having greater opportunities to learn. After she obtained her Registered Nurse Licensure, she remained on the medical floor for another 1 ½ years. She then pursued the Emergency Department (ER) which she has been in since 2005.
When asked about what made her join the healthcare field, Ms. Schueler didn’t have a particular reason: “I don’t have a special story to be honest; I went to work at a hospital which was suggested by a family friend and then became very interested in the field.” In regard to inspirations, curiosity sparked about what inspired her to come to Tech. “I needed a change in my career. As much as I love the Emergency Department, it was time for a change.” She wanted to use her knowledge and experiences to teach and inspire Tech’s nursing students to continue to pursue a potential career in healthcare.
She’s most excited about seeing students learn and engage in new knowledge and experiences. She defines herself as fun, energetic, and motivated. All attributes in which will help her obtain her goal of having students be engaged in the material she teaches. She expressed that, hence being new to teaching at tech, a challenge for her would be learning how to present the material in an engaging way. Despite this challenge there are some rewards, and not just in teaching but in the healthcare field as well. “In nursing, you are focused on healing individuals and ensuring they are safe when they leave you. It is rewarding when you know you made someone feel better or make someone smile.”
Each day is different, and Ms. Schueler is still learning the classroom environment. As a teacher just starting out, some advice she would give to another new teacher arriving at HTHS would be to use the many resources available to help you out and to not be afraid to utilize them or ask for help. “You are not alone. The students are great and make everyday worth it!” she says. While on the topic of students, the programs here at tech may not be easy, but are very rewarding. Specifically, the nursing program here at Tech has a great deal of career paths, experiences, and opportunities. Ms. Schueler wishes to continue to see her students grow and accomplish great things in and outside of the classroom. Some final advice she would give to any student pursuing a career in nursing: “I would tell them not to give up, pursue their dreams, and take every learning opportunity available.”