Assistant Professor | Community Health Advocate | Gator Nurse for Life
For Dr. Sandy Shapiro (BSN 2001), nursing has never been just a profession — it has been a path of purpose, growth and leadership. A proud graduate of the University of Florida College of Nursing, she currently serves as a tenure-track assistant professor at the University of North Florida in her hometown of Jacksonville. Her days are dynamic and demanding, filled with course planning, student mentorship and academic research — and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“No two days are alike,” she said. “I continue to use the nursing process to prioritize and organize my work. What surprised me most was how much orchestration happens behind the scenes in academia. It’s a constant balancing act, and I’m grateful for every moment.”
During the summer, Shapiro returns to hands-on care as a camp nurse, providing health services to nearly 1,000 campers and staff — an experience that reaffirms her passion for community health. At a recent camp in North Carolina, she served alongside fellow Gator Nurses Julie Baker (BSN 2006) and Bretta Weisman Schachner (BSN1982), showcasing the far-reaching impact of UF College of Nursing alumni.
Rooted in Gator Nursing Values
Reflecting on her time at UF, Shapiro credits the program’s rigor and high standards for shaping her identity as both a nurse and educator.
“At the time — like many in my cohort back in the 1900s — I didn’t fully appreciate the depth of what we were learning,” she said. “But once I entered the workforce, I realized how incredibly prepared we were. The standards, the professionalism, the critical thinking — UF set the bar high. And now, I pass that on to my own students, especially the belief that they are capable even when they don’t yet believe it themselves.”
From Care to CLIMB: A Framework for Transformational Nursing
More than a teacher and clinician, Shapiro is also a theorist. Inspired by Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle and the neurochemistry of influence, she developed a unique nursing framework called CLIMB: Care, Lead, Inspire, eMpower and Boundaries. The model integrates neurobiological principles with nursing leadership and patient-centered care, positioning nurses as lifelong leaders and learners.
Each element of CLIMB aligns with a key neurochemical:
- Care (oxytocin): Builds trust and compassion.
- Lead (serotonin): Strengthens relationships and team cohesion.
- Inspire (dopamine): Fosters goal-setting and motivation.
- eMpower (endorphins): Promotes resilience and endurance.
- Boundaries (cortisol): Establishes structure and psychological safety.
“Leadership is an integral part of nursing. We lead through meaningful relationships and help others find clarity in their values,” she said. “By understanding how our biology intersects with our behaviors, we can better support patients, students and colleagues to CLIMB toward their goals.”