Retirement comes with a lot of mixed emotions, from not being able to see your coworkers and students daily, to the excitement of dedicating time to nonwork hobbies, to a sense of accomplishment from decades spent in a career. In some ways, retirement represents the closing of a very important chapter in one’s life.
Faculty, staff, family and friends celebrated Dr. Robin Gosdin Farrell’s retirement on Aug. 30, 2024. Farrell dedicated over 30 years to AU as a Family Nurse Practitioner (certified by ANCC). Throughout her career as a CRNP, she worked in family health, college health, and women’s health. With more than 34 years of experience as a registered nurse, she was considered an expert in urgent care, family care, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, and college health. In 2010, she earned her DNP and embarked on her academic journey.
"I had always enjoyed teaching and helping others. I especially enjoyed teaching advanced physical assessment and history-taking skills. Academia seemed like a meaningful way to impact healthcare by training nurse practitioners to serve their communities."
Farrell starting teaching at AUCON in 2017 after serving as an assistant professor at Troy University in both the Family Nurse Practitioner Program (MSN) and the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. She is a member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF), Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and the Golden Key International Honor Society. She is actively involved with the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama and the Advanced Practitioners in the River Region.
Farrell believes in the value of honesty and openness in care and expertise. “Recognize what you know, and if you're uncertain about something, acknowledge it and seek out the right resources or people for help. Always treat your patients and their families as you would want to be treated yourself.”
She attests to several significant changes in her career in Alabama. “When I graduated, nurse practitioners (NPs) had no prescriptive authority and were closely supervised by physicians,” Farrell said. “Within a year, NPs gained the ability to prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests, and their skills and autonomy have continued to grow. The number of NPs that each physician can collaborate with has also increased significantly, granting NPs much more independence than in 1987. As healthcare continues to evolve, it’s crucial for NPs to keep up with the latest updates and treatments — lifelong learning is essential.”
Her advice to those starting their careers in academia — aim for a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing time for family and friends, since tomorrow is never guaranteed. Keep yourself informed about the latest developments in healthcare, including diagnostics, treatments, and outcomes. Embrace technology and think creatively to meet the diverse learning styles of your students.
In her retirement, Farrell is excited about travel and attending concerts with her husband. “I also can't wait to learn a new skill—playing the mandolin, which was the instrument my father played during his time in entertainment."
AUCON congratulates Dr. Robin Farrell on her retirement and wishes her all the best as she embarks on this new chapter in her life. Her dedication to teaching and commitment to her students have had a lasting impact on countless lives. She will be greatly missed.
