45 Minutes with Marivic Torregosa, Ph.D, RN, FNP



Family--in its broadest definition--influences nearly every aspect of a person's health. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) meets the healthcare needs of the individual and family by providing comprehensive primary care through the lifespan. FNPs work independently as well as collaboratively with other primary care clinicians and health care and social service professionals in a variety of settings, such as clinics, schools, homes, workplaces and community-based organizations.


Torregosa
We bring you Marivic B. Torregosa PhD, RN, FNP from Texas who shares to us her professional life, her research engagement and being recognized as a top educator.

Marivic was born and raised in Bohol, Philippines. She obtained her BSN at the University of Bohol in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; her Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus in Family Nursing Practice (FNP) at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi - Texas; and PhD in Nursing  at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

She is currently an assistant professor and coordinator of the FNP program at Texas A&M International University. She is one of the family nurse practitioners at Recto Pediatrics in Laredo, Texas.

This Bohol lady really makes us proud.


Tell us about being a family nurse practitioner and a nurse educator at TAMIU?

While having a clinical practice and teaching job at the same time (not to mention pursue and conduct research) can be very hectic, I see that both are important for faculty teaching in health professions. In my opinion, theory informs practice and vice versa. Being able to share with students my own real life clinical experiences help me become an effective teacher to them. Sometimes students cannot grasp nor understand abstract concepts, but if the faculty can cite real examples (coming from their own experiences), in my experience, this has helped students learn and make connections.

In 2013, you were honored with a teacher of the year award. Tell us about this recognition. What is its impact to your career?

It was an honor to be recognized as Teacher of the Year for the College of Nursing in 2013. This award was shared with a colleague- there were two of us who won it for that year. I think the award recognizes the faculty’s efforts on three categories: teaching, scholarship, and service. Prior to 2013, I completed a PhD in Nursing while practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (part-time) and teaching/mentoring undergraduate nursing students (full-time) at the same time. Also, I presented papers at national conferences and published two papers in peer-reviewed journals. I guess the award was a recognition of my “multi-tasking” efforts. I don’t know if this award has or will have any impact to my career as an academician and clinician. I am on a tenure-track position at a regional university and still conducting the same “multi-tasking efforts”. Only time will tell. As an academician I would rather have an impact to my students’ future and careers. I am hoping that through their education with us (TAMIU) and learning experiences, they will be inspired and encouraged to pursue higher education and become researchers and scientists themselves,  and give back to their communities.


What sort of health/nursing issues do you investigate for your research projects?

My research interests include student success among students from minority populations, child obesity, and self-management of chronic conditions.  The goals of my research activities are geared towards closing the healthcare gap.