Q&A: A conversation with Boot Camp Instructor Sharme Brodie

Editor’s note: Everyone comes to CDI from a different place. Recently, we chatted with Sharme Brodie, RN, CCDS, CDI education specialist with HCPro in Middleton, Massachusetts, about how she got to where she is, the benefits of on-site training, and her favorite parts of training. For information about HCPro’s upcoming CDI Boot Camps, click here.

Q: Can you describe your healthcare experience for us?
A: I have more than 30 years of healthcare experience under my belt in a variety of positions ranging from medical technician to nurse. After an injury to my shoulder, bedside nursing was no longer an option, so I turned to case management and quality training. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the logistical side of nursing and performing chart reviews, and I ended up taking an exciting opportunity to cross-train for a CDI position at my hospital.
 
A few years later, I decided to try my hand as a traveling consultant for a CDI consulting company in Georgia. While I enjoyed traveling, my favorite aspect of the position was teaching, so I applied as an instructor for HCPro/ACDIS to pursue my passion full-time. 
 
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching? 
A: I have always had a passion for both teaching and nursing, so it is rewarding to have a career that allows me to combine the two. My love for teaching started early on. I was a coach for my children’s sports teams, teacher for classes at my church, and a mentor for new employees and nursing students. There is a certain type of satisfaction that you get from teaching and being a part of the learning process that is hard to explain.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching on-site education? 
A: I know it sounds corny, but the most rewarding aspect of teaching is watching light bulbs go off as my students learn new concepts. I am so grateful to all my students and welcome their feedback. At the end of the day, they’re the reason I love what I do and not many people can say that.