Meet Darcy Bobo, Director of Nursing Concorde Memphis

Nurse Stories Are Our Stories

Every nurse has a story about what made them want to become a nurse. This one is about Darcy Bobo, RN, BSN, MSN, and Director of Nursing at the Concorde Memphis campus.

Ms. Bobo's story started in 1987 after she had just graduated high school. Her mother worked in a hospital as a unit clerk and sometimes took Darcy and her siblings with her. There, she would see what the nurses were doing. She would see nurses helping people, running to codes and making a difference. It felt exciting, and she knew this was a career she wanted to pursue. “I wanted to be someone who changed a person’s life in a good way,” shared Ms. Bobo.

To that end, she started working as a Medical Assistant in a doctor’s office. That’s really where she caught the bug and kept honing her skills and earning the next degree. She’s done the full nursing ladder and has earned a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Educator (MSNNE) and is currently working on her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Education.

It’s hard to imagine that a nurse instructor once told her "that nursing probably wasn’t for her. You are too sensitive,” Darcy recalled. It’s experiences like that in the classroom that made her want to become a faculty member. She felt the courses were too regimented and lacked personal connection. She wanted students to feel more encouragement, more support and that they matter. Darcy’s father, who holds two doctorate degrees himself and is the smartest person Darcy knows, gave her some great advice: “If you want it to change, you need to do something to change it. If you are going back to school, focus on something that makes a difference in the long run,” recalls Darcy.

Her first instructor role was with a high school in Calumet City, Illinois, near the Illinois and Indiana border. This school offered an innovative academy program where high school juniors and seniors took nursing classes and graduated as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Workforce development programs like this one excite Darcy. “A lot of my students went on to further their education. I have a student who just opened an OBGYN office in Chicago. I’ve attended their white coat ceremonies and am just amazed at how far they have come,” enthused Darcy.

What attracted her to Concorde? “When I saw the part of Concorde’s mission statement focused on being student-centered, I knew this was the place for me. That is my entire way of approaching everything; the student is my priority,” said Darcy.

With the depth and breadth of experience that Darcy has, we wanted to understand her approach and tips for new nurses dealing with stress. She advocates for work-life balance, time management and asking questions.

“The thing I always tell students and new nurses is that the work-life balance is critical. Work your shifts and leave it there. You have to be able to take the time to decompress. Good time management and organizational skills reduce stress. If you are working in a chaotic manner, stress increases. Staying calm and professional decreases the stress. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The anxiety that comes with the probability of making a mistake is high. You have to have a person you can direct questions to.”

Some of her most poignant insights came as advice for new students. Darcy advocates for students to be prepared to put everything else on hold and focus exclusively on nursing. “Nursing school is strenuous and challenging. They need to have family support, study buddies and someone to count on during the hard times.” Darcy says that over the years she has noticed that her most successful students are determined, set goals and focus on achieving optimal outcomes.

“The medical profession is constantly changing. You can’t just be qualified on paper. You need to have compassion and a heart for nursing to do this excellently. I’m going to bring excellence or I’m not going to bring anything at all,” concluded Darcy.

This National Nurses Month we celebrate Darcy Bobo, MSN and soon to be DNP. The enthusiasm and dedication she brings to the classroom and to her students is truly incredible.