FEATURED ALUMNUS

Robin Sutton Hardwicke, PhD, RN, FNP-C, AACRN

Just when you feel the thrill of achieving a pinnacle in your nursing career--graduation, that restless urge to reach out to new heights takes hold of you.. Before you know it, you are pursuing a new project or career track, much like UT Tyler College of Nursing Alum, Robin Sutton Hardwicke, PhD, RN, FNP-C, AACRN. 

Following Robin's graduation from the BSN program at UT Tyler in May of 1991, she began a critical care program opportunity at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her initial career path has taken many turns since then, finding her today as a nurse practitioner with an emphasis in the care of patients infected with HIV/AIDS.

Robin is certified as a CCRN, one of many certifications she received early in her career She subsequently completed her MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1998.

While working hard as a new graduate, Robin met and married Keith Hardwicke in 1992. Robin, Keith, and their daughter Laura, still live in the Houston area and often retreat to their hideaway along the San Bernard River in Brazoria , Texas .

After obtaining her FNP, Robin accepted a position in the Level 1 Trauma Emergency Department of Memorial Hermann Hospital as a nurse practitioner. Desiring to further her education and have more time with her family, Robin left Hermann Hospital after one year to work under the direction of Dr. Stanley Lewis, HIV/AIDS Specialist-Harris Hospital District. As a colleague of Dr. Lewis, Robin discovered her passion for helping individuals stricken with HIV/AIDS.

In 2002, Robin was chosen by Nurseweek to receive The National Award for Clinical Excellence in Community Service She also was selected as a Texas Nurses Association, District 9 Top 20 Nurse.

Robin's next step on her nursing path was to earn her PhD in Nursing, which she accomplished in December 2004. While she was ABD (all but dissertation), the UTHSC Medical School asked Robin to join the faculty. She was appointed an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Internal Medicine in September 2004. Robin noted that, “The most rewarding part of my nursing career is my clinical practice at St. Hope Foundation.”

Robin was also in the first eleven nurses nationally to complete a certification in HIV/AIDS. To date, only 28 nurses have become certified in HIV/AIDS. As a natural progression of her education and experience, Robin has formed her own consulting company, Hardwicke Health Management, H2M, LLC. She speaks and conducts seminars on various subjects, including the prevention and management of persons with HIV/AIDS, STDs, and HCV.

Recently, Robin was chosen for an award by the Association of Nurses in AIDS care (ANAC) and traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the presentation. This national award goes to a nurse who has achieved excellence in clinical practice. Additionally, Robin was appointed to the Board of Directors for the HANCB (HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board), and gets to write lots of exam questions.

Robin has continued to serve in leadership roles throughout her career. She desires to promote the nursing profession, and provide a voice to support nursing faculty, stating that “Many potential nurses are missing opportunities because there are not enough faculty to support them.”

Through excellence in practice and a dedication to the promotion of continued education in her field, Robin has expanded her horizons and become a respected nursing leader. We are honored to have such a dedicated and distinguished professional among UT Tyler College of Nursing Alumni!