January 2025 Internship Reflection

Jade Trevino, RN: My Experience as an Intern This Month

This first month as a Mahogany Dermatology intern has been filled with excitement, exploration, education, and deep self-reflection. I have had the opportunity to learn about the intricate process of writing peer-reviewed articles and, even more fascinatingly, gained insight into the role of a peer reviewer. Seeing the meticulous evaluation process from both angles has given me a newfound appreciation for the level of expertise and scrutiny required to contribute to dermatology research at the highest level.

Beyond the academic side of dermatology, I have also had the privilege of observing Kimberly in her zone of genius—strategically evaluating business opportunities and identifying ways Mahogany Dermatology can bring value to other businesses. Watching her listen to business owners' challenges and effortlessly generate creative, strategic solutions has been an eye-opening experience. It has made me realize that opportunities in dermatology extend far beyond traditional roles.

“If you look deeper and think outside the box, there are countless ways to innovate and create meaningful partnerships within this field.” – Jade Trevino, RN

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Valuable and Unexpected Lessons

One of the most valuable aspects of this internship has been the sheer volume of high-quality educational resources available. Mahogany Dermatology provides access to a wealth of knowledge that has already expanded my understanding of dermatology, research, and business strategies within the specialty.

What I did not expect was how much this experience would challenge my perception of myself, my capabilities, and the value I bring to the table. This month has forced me to reflect deeply on my future and whether the goals I had previously set align with the life I truly want to build. While I am still working through this reflection, I have a strong feeling that by this time next year, I will be more confident, more self-aware, and equipped with a concrete plan for my career in dermatology.

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Key Takeaways

• If you want to be recognized as an authority on a topic, you must first decide that YOU are enough. Your experience, knowledge, and expertise, combined with the work you put in, will position you as a leader in your field. Confidence, continuous education, and action are what separate those who are perceived as experts from those who remain in the background.

• Imposter syndrome is the only thing that can truly hold you back. You have to push past it.

• Opportunities are everywhere—sometimes they just require a different perspective to see them.

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Tips for Future Interns

Staying Organized

• Set aside dedicated time each week to review upcoming tasks, deadlines, and materials to ensure you’re prepared and not scrambling at the last minute.

• Keep detailed notes for each assignment, including key takeaways and next steps, to stay on top of progress and ensure follow-through.

• Organize your digital files by creating clearly labeled folders for different topics, projects, or assignments to make retrieval easy and efficient.

• Establish a consistent routine for checking and updating your task manager daily to avoid missing important updates or deadlines.

Learning New Technology

• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the tools you’ll be using. If it’s a new platform like Notion, watching a few YouTube tutorials can help you navigate it more efficiently.

• Experiment with different features and functions to tailor the platform to your workflow, making it a valuable asset rather than a challenge.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

• Treat this internship as seriously as you would a full-time job. Show up prepared, meet deadlines, and engage fully in assignments to maximize your learning experience.

• Dedicate specific time blocks in your schedule to complete internship tasks. Treating these like fixed appointments helps ensure you stay consistent and productive.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• Keep a journal of your progress, including achievements, feedback, and lessons learned. Seeing your growth over time can help reinforce your confidence.

• Remember that you were selected for this internship for a reason. Trust in your abilities, ask questions, and remind yourself that everyone starts somewhere.

Defining Your Goals

• Take time at the beginning of your internship to get clarity on your personal and professional goals. Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and make the most of the opportunities presented to you.

• As you're introduced to new concepts and technology, actively think about how you can incorporate that knowledge to help achieve your goals. Keeping your objectives in mind will make learning more purposeful and impactful.

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How This Prepares Me for My Future in Dermatology Nursing

This internship is showing me that my future in dermatology does not have to follow a traditional path. There are countless ways to contribute, innovate, and build a career that aligns with my skills and passions. By committing to becoming an authority in this space and leveraging the tools and resources I’ve been given access to, I can position myself not just as a dermatology nurse but as a problem solver and a valuable resource for both businesses and consumers.

This experience has opened my eyes to the power of research, strategic partnerships, and creative problem-solving in dermatology. I am learning how to identify opportunities where others may not see them and critically assess how my unique skills position me to take advantage of those opportunities. With each lesson, I am growing more confident in my ability to carve out a fulfilling and impactful career in dermatology.

Month one has set the foundation, and I am excited to see where the next months take me!

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Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP: Welcoming Jade to the Team

The application for the Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship ran from early October to December 15, 2024. You can view the marketing flyer and requirements by clicking here. A week after the application closed, Jade was invited to a remote interview and subsequently received an official welcome letter (on company letterhead) via email for her records. During the interview, we learned more about one another, reviewed the components of her application, and discussed what to expect the following weeks and months. January 6, 2025, marked the official start date when Jade was assigned the following activities.

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Day #1

1. Setup Professional Contacts

-Phone

-Digital business card options

--LinkedIn

--Blinq

--HiHello!

--Email

-Establish an email account with a professional handle that you’re comfortable sharing with the public

2. Social media – establish professional page(s) (Optional)

--Use professional headshot

---LinkedIn (recommended)

---Instagram

---Facebook

---YouTube

---TikTok

3. T-shirt size -Needed for branding apparel

‍4. Dermatology-Focused Resume & CV

‍5. Establish Quarterly Goals. During our first video call, we discussed the assignments for week one, including her quarterly goals, which are subject to change.

Q1 (Recommended resource: The 12-week Year audiobook)

-Complete article on Access to Dermatology Care

-Complete article on Dermatology Nursing Education: Strategies for Improvement

-Complete onboarding tools to obtain skills to conduct a quality literature review

-Study for and obtain Dermatology Nurse Certification by the third quarter

Q2

-Choose a Dermatology conference to attend

-Powerpoint on photoprotection in skin of color education in dermatology. Use for public speaking engagements.

-Submit articles to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology’s NP + PA Perspectives in Dermatology

Q3

-Start modules on business and telemedicine

-Start pitching presentation on skin of color

Q4

-Branding, business, networking

-x8 total articles for JDNA submitted

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6. Update Calendar to Reflect Special Occasions, Conferences, and Other Important Dates. We use Notion as our central hub. Before granting Jade access, I established a team page, set up a calendar where I enter tasks with deadlines, added the tutorials for onboarding, established netbooks to store/update resources, and it’s where I write the agenda for our bi-weekly meetings. I learned about Notion a few years ago from Dr. Laura Scott, MD, who sells/sold her templates. Below are some key features you may find helpful when using Notion.

-AI Integration: Built-in AI helps with brainstorming, summarizing, and content generation, streamlining workflows.

-Customizable Templates: Access a vast gallery of templates to jumpstart projects, ensuring consistency and saving time.

-Integrations: Connect Notion with other tools and apps, creating a unified workspace for improved productivity.

-Desktop App: Use the Notion desktop app for a faster, distraction-free experience and seamless collaboration. It's been a lifesaver for storing my ideas and saving articles/resources.

7. Research tools. Links to tutorials were included as part of the onboarding process for the following resources we will use to conduct literature reviews.

-PubMed

-Google Scholar

-CINAHL (nursing database)

-Zotero

-PRISMA

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8. Share Availability. Jade has editing access to the calendar (as seen above), where she can enter blackout dates and changes to her schedule.

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9. Identify Research Interests. One of the primary reasons I started the internship was to get assistance with publishing more peer-reviewed articles at a faster rate. At the start of the internship, we planned to submit our articles to the following journals and/or organizations for publication: the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association, the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology’s NP + PA Perspectives in Dermatology, and the new Journal of DNPs of Color (to which I applied and am waiting to hear if I’ll be accepted to the research committee). Our initial research interests were as follows:

--Dermatology Education

--Access to dermatology care

–Teledermatology

--Artificial intelligence

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10. Identify communication software. We primarily use Notion and Gmail. I selected Notion because of its features to assist with managing teams, organization, setting deadlines, and usability. I use the to-do list feature so that when Jade completes a task, she can cross it off, making it easy for me to track her progress. Additionally, we can insert @ to quickly notify one another without having to leave the platform. You can also add audio, videos, charts, embeds from other applications, files, databases, flowcharts, and much more.

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11. Set meeting schedule. We agreed to meet bi-weekly. We select the date/time of the following meeting at the end of each session due to our rotating schedules.

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Goals for January. My initial goal was to ensure that my objectives and expectations aligned with Jade’s aspirations and expectations. I also used this time to grasp her pace, concerns, and areas of interest. Throughout the month, I notified her of additional events related to dermatology, research, AI, or business and would either email her directly or send her a calendar invite. These additional events were not required but positively added to our conversations and brainstorming. As such, she participated in a brainstorming session for The Melanin Initiative podcast where we met Ayesha Patrick, the Creator of the Psoriasis Collective and Founder of Sistas with Psoriasis. She joined me for webinars with Jasmine Star, the Secret to Making Money with Digital Offers, and Nurse Roni B, Mastering Laser for Profit and Patient Outcomes: Laser Hair Removal. We equally enjoyed a demo led by Aaron Hersh, a General Manager for DermEngine, a product she was very familiar with and one I had just learned about from my new internet friend Timothy August, PA-C. We discussed branding apparel options and scheduled our first in-person meetup with some new friends of ours from the internet who also happen to live in Houston: Dr. Ofonime Bleess, DNP, MBA, ARPN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, and Mariam Rabiu, DNPc.

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Key insights from leading the internship. It’s been insightful to learn more about Jade and her vast dermatology experience. Her perspective on the gaps in dermatology education, training, care, and staff retention has been invaluable in determining our first publications for the year and potential business opportunities. The greatest pleasure has been watching Jade expand her view when it comes to dermatology and entrepreneurship, specifically weighing the benefits and necessity of furthering her education before starting a business. While it's not my first time leading a team or partnering with someone towards a mutual objective, it is a unique opportunity that we are experiencing because we both believed we could.

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“When you believe you can do something, other people will believe it, too.” – Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP

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Challenges & solutions encountered. Jade has mentioned my busy schedule a few times and requested clarity on the pace at which I expect her to complete assigned tasks and where to focus her energy. My experience with Jade and Alion Belvin, who helps me manage DERM NPs + PAs of Atlanta, has taught me a few things about managing a team:

-Set clear expectations and deadlines

-Identify roles and responsibility

-Meet more frequently and limit channels for communication to avoid confusion

-People prefer structure, but when given the tools to be successful and constructive feedback, they can increase their confidence and become more comfortable operating in their zone of genius and creativity.

-It's my job to sell the vision

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How does this experience contribute to dermatology education and business literacy? Given the lack of dermatology education and business acumen taught in nursing school and clinical practice, I believe it’s important to create purposeful mentorship and develop a roadmap for others to follow, specifically nurse and nurse practitioner entrepreneurs. As entrepreneurs, our time and capital are limited, but we desperately need help if we want to start, optimize, and scale our businesses successfully and reduce burnout while doing so. I believe there is a mutual benefit to providing a framework for purposeful mentorship so that entrepreneurs receive the support we need while our peers gain the exposure and experience they need to further their career and entrepreneurial aspirations. Given that time and capital are limited, the Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research aims to provide a packaged step-by-step guide for our peers to follow so they too can establish a team of mentors, implementers, and Chief Operating Officers to carry out the vision that only the Founder can communicate. As a living case study, we aim to demonstrate how you can increase your credibility and visibility and become a Key Person of Influence in your respective field/specialty.  Most importantly, we aim to show you how to leverage your expertise as clinicians and entrepreneurs through innovative ideas and by establishing strategic partnerships.

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"I extend my sincere appreciation to Jade for being so open to this public experiment." - Dr. Kimberly Madison, DNP

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Jade Dupree Trevino, RN

I am a dedicated dermatology professional with over a decade of experience as a Dermatology Medical Assistant, Registered Nurse, and Clinical Nurse Coordinator. Passionate about education and inclusivity in dermatology, I joined the Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research Internship to expand my knowledge and contribute to the field I love. Through this blog, I aim to share my journey as a source of inspiration for those exploring nontraditional paths in dermatology. I’m excited to help create innovative educational resources and encourage others to discover their purpose in this dynamic specialty.

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Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WCC

I am a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, educator, and author dedicated to advancing dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. As the founder of Mahogany Dermatology Nursing | Education | Research, I aim to expand access to dermatology research, business acumen, and innovation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality while also leading professional groups and mentoring clinicians. Through engaging and informative social media content and peer-reviewed research, I empower nurses and healthcare professionals to excel in dermatology and improve patient care.

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