Robin Haugh was adamant that she didn’t want to be a nurse after graduating from high school. She became an emergency medical technician and a medical assistant.

It wasn’t until 18 years later that she realized that she was meant to be a nurse and began her journey. She attended the nursing pinning ceremony at Viterbo University for the daughter of a friend. It was in that precious and sacred moment that she realized, she did want to be a nurse.

She went to Western Technical College and earned her associate degree in nursing, graduating in 2006. In 2009, she enrolled at Viterbo University to complete her bachelor’s degree, graduating in 2011. She went right into her master’s program and was in the last Viterbo graduating class of nurse educators. She worked as a medical assistant instructor for three years before joining Viterbo as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing.

How many years have you worked at Viterbo?

I started in August 2016. This is my fourth academic year. I live in Hillsboro, which is 60 miles away. I am often asked why I drive so far. I don’t mind the drive because I love my job.

Best known for teaching…

Health Assessment to beginning nursing students. I get all of the new students starting in the nursing sequence their first semester of their sophomore year. I love that I can get to know all of the new nursing students and they can get to know me, my quirks and all! With the dual enrollment, I have a new set of students every semester. I try my best to remember all of their names, but I do remember them and the unique individuals they are. The first semester in the nursing sequence is tough. I want my students to know that I understand this and that I am always here for them. It could be just to listen, or to talk, or to offer chocolate and Kleenex, which are always on my desk for them. I will always be a support for them, even when I no longer have them in my class.

What do you love most about teaching at Viterbo?

The community atmosphere. The family values that are so strong. The mission and the core values are lived here. They aren’t just something we say, they are something we do every day, staff and students. I love being able to care about my students and know that it is all right. I love that I can get up every morning and look forward to my work day. And I love my colleagues and my students.

What inspires you?

I have so many mentors that I could name here, but each one of them has inspired me to be a better nurse every day of my life. The staff and faculty at Viterbo inspire me every day. Dr. Temple and Dr. Stewart inspire me as leaders. They don’t just lead us, they walk beside us and truly care about us. And, mostly, my students inspire me. They inspire me to do better, try harder, and do more good than I ever thought I could. They each have such unique stories. They make me want to be a better person. Being able to care about them and their education inspires me to look back on all things good and bring that into my teaching. We are here to support them, to be here for them. We are here to encourage their success, and I am inspired to help them on that journey.

What others say about you…

Melinda Kunes, December 2019 graduate: “You help students grow by teaching, but also by making connections and challenging them to get out of their comfort zone to be the best they can be!”

Erin Boettcher, Class of 2020: “I know there is at least one person/faculty that I can always count on for any random reason. The most important thing that I have learned from you is that I aspire to become a nurse and human mentor half as good as you are. If I can do that, then I know that I have made it.”