Student Spotlight
Sharon Guest, RN; candidate for M.S. in Natural Health
“This is the most gratifying work I could ever ask for.”
Back in the early 1980s, Sharon Guest energetically entered the nursing profession and gained vast experience with orthopedic, OB/GYN, mental health, oncology and home health nursing. During the next decade her management skills grew continually – from coordinating the activities of various health professionals to serving as a liaison among physicians, patients and nurses.
The more she saw, the less she liked it.
With each promotion came hospital politics. Within each healthcare setting, the focus seemed ever more legalistic and territorial. “I saw unnecessary surgery, drug interactions, evasive language and so many complicating side effects with synthetic drugs. A dismissive attitude prevailed. There was too far little discussion and everything was reactive – not interactive and not proactive.”
By the mid-90s and with a young daughter to raise, Sharon found her own health faltering. Stress-related symptoms were being treated aggressively, with no regard to the long-term deficits that harsh drugs can cause. Hormonal imbalances were being treated surgically, and finally a work-related injury caused Sharon to rethink her career.
Instinctively she had always known that people get healthy by regaining control of their lives. “Trained in nursing and psychology, I entered the medical field because I wanted to help people heal appropriately by spending adequate time with them and educating through dynamic, empathetic interaction. But our healthcare system is not well. After observing this for years and then witnessing it firsthand, I have found a wonderful new way of life by studying holistic healing.”
As Sharon rebalanced her own health, it felt quite natural to shift her professional emphasis to more integrative approaches. She formed a support group for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, produced a monthly newsletter, wrote natural health articles for their local newspaper, and soon became a popular speaker on holistic approaches to chronic pain, stress management and nutritional health. Having finished a B.S. in Natural Health, she is now enrolled in a Clayton graduate program.
“Education empowers others to reclaim their health and greatly improve quality of life. I’ve helped friends at church, and I’ve seen entire families learn how to enjoy the activities of living a more vibrant life – preparing healing meals together, enjoying exercise, honoring the importance of rest and the power of meditation.”
Her teenage daughter is a ballerina whose glowing health provides natural inspiration for dancers of all ages, especially within such an exacting, demanding art form. “A balance of mind, body and spirit health is especially important for performances that require the confidence of introspective interpretation alongside physical stamina. Keegan drinks plenty of water and knows how to listen to her body, to choose the best foods, vitamins and mineral supplements for all-day energy, strong bones and muscles that move beautifully.”
In the dance of life, Sharon Guest’s understanding of hard science includes a keen appreciation of the human body as the ultimate work of art. For her daughter, herself and for so many others, this holistic nurse brings to life gratitude, harmony and high energy.
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