Illinois 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award Winner Highlight: Roshni Shah
Meet Roshni Shah, a Travel Nurse and Adjunct Professor for DePaul University, as well as the author of the blog page, “FollowTheRoshni.” She has been nominated for the class of 2023 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award. Designed to highlight young nurses that are making a lasting difference in the healthcare industry, this award celebrates those who shape the future of nursing.
Roshni Shah: Pioneering Compassionate Nursing Leadership
Roshni Shah, an extraordinary figure in the nursing profession, embodies the qualities of a true visionary leader in nursing. She shows outstanding examples of innovation, compassion, community engagement, and more. Her journey from academic excellence to hands-on care, community involvement, and global impact exemplifies the essence of compassionate nursing leadership.
A Trailblazer in Academia and Diversity Advocacy
Roshni’s journey began with her undergraduate studies in Health Systems Management and Economics, where she showed a commitment to diversity and leadership from the start. Notably, she received the Outstanding Student Leadership in Diversity and St. Josephine Bhakita Women in Leadership awards, proving her potential to create meaningful change through her nursing career.
Pursuing her passion, Roshni continued her education through the Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice Program, where she emerged as a leader in innovation. Her research on the lived experiences of Indian-American Nurses not only broke new ground but also highlighted her curiosity to explore uncharted territories within nursing. This marked the beginning of her remarkable journey, showcasing her dedication to empowerment and diversity.
Education is a cornerstone of Roshni’s leadership approach. Her role as an adjunct professor at DePaul University enables her to impart critical care knowledge while emphasizing community-based service in health promotion. Her dedication to education seamlessly aligns with her passion for community engagement, resulting in her involvement with Service Space/Awakin Chicago’s meditation circles and grassroots service projects.
Compassionate Care at the Bedside and Beyond
As a Registered Nurse in a level one trauma center’s intensive care unit, Roshni’s impact on patient care goes beyond her clinical expertise. Her health practitioner background adds a unique dimension to her care, emphasizing the importance of physical and emotional well-being. Her response to the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the creation of wellness support programs, displays her unwavering commitment to fellow nurses in their moments of compassion fatigue.
A Journey Through Grief and Healing
Roshni’s personal experiences brought her face-to-face with the complexities of death, dying, and grieving, following the sudden loss of her mother to COVID-19. In response, she created the “Grief Brief” newsletter, offering coaching and guidance through the grieving process. This initiative, combined with her role as a death doula, showcases her exceptional empathy, wisdom, and compassionate approach to care.
Roshni’s writing serves as a testament to her dedication to storytelling and community platforms, while her partnership with The Simple Good program shows her commitment to social-emotional learning and mental health education in Chicago schools. Her seamless integration of global and local initiatives highlights her capacity to drive positive change across diverse platforms.
Global Impact: Bridging Boundaries for Change
Roshni’s influence isn’t confined to local communities; it extends globally through soul sabbaticals in India. These projects have fostered change in slums, farms, hospitals, and yoga schools, often through innovative financial models to empower rural women. Her leadership at Follow the Roshni has also created impactful healthcare programs for South Asian healthcare workers, uniting India and the United States.
Roshini Shah: Guiding the Future of Compassionate Nursing Leadership
Roshni’s journey is a testament to her commitment to compassionate nursing leadership. Her impact transcends conventional boundaries, and her holistic approach to care mirrors the American Nurses Association’s definition of nursing. Roshni’s nomination for the 8th annual 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award is a recognition of her transformative leadership, innovation, and dedication to alleviating suffering and healing. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of nursing professionals to follow in her compassionate and visionary footsteps.
Congratulations to Roshni Shah and DePaul University for this prestigious honor! The Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Award for Emerging Nurse Leaders is proven to open career doors for its recipients. INF is proud to celebrate nurses like Roshni who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
For more information on the INF 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony, click this link.
Illinois Nurses Foundation: Support Education, Advocation, and Recognition for Nurses
The Illinois Nurses Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports nurses through various programs, empowering them, promoting excellence, and advancing the nursing profession while also recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements of young nurses through the INF 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award, highlighting their talent and potential for the field’s growth and evolution. Donate to INF today, and you can help empower nurses and improve healthcare!