‍Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship – Month 2 Reflection

Jade Trevino, RN

This month has been all about deepening my understanding of systematic reviews, learning how to efficiently navigate research, and leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity. The experience has challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, reinforcing valuable lessons about resilience, problem-solving, and self-directed learning.

One of the biggest challenges this month was tackling a systematic review for the first time. I’ve had some exposure to research through my Evidence-Based Practice class in nursing school, but this was different.  At first, I found myself overthinking each step, which led to moments of doubt and hesitation. Imposter syndrome crept in again, reminding me that overcoming self-doubt isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing process. However, instead of letting it paralyze me, I reminded myself to take it one step at a time and trust in my ability to figure things out.

To work through this challenge, I leaned on multiple resources. I reached out to Kimberly, who helped me think through some of my questions, giving me clarity and a fresh perspective. I also used AI tools and YouTube to fill in knowledge gaps, which helped streamline my research process. This experience reinforced the importance of resourcefulness—whether it’s seeking mentorship, leveraging technology, or simply looking up what I don’t know.

Another highlight this month was stepping outside my comfort zone by participating in The Melanin Initiative podcast. This was my first time being on a podcast, and while I was nervous at first, it turned out to be a fun and valuable experience. It gave me an opportunity to practice speaking clearly, articulating my thoughts in real time, and building confidence in professional communication—all skills that will serve me well in my future career.

Additionally, I had the chance to observe Kimberly as she evaluated a new software platform for Mahogany Dermatology. Watching her strategic thought process gave me insight into how businesses assess technology for efficiency, scalability, and alignment with their goals. Seeing this firsthand helped me recognize that decision-making in dermatology goes beyond patient care—understanding how technology and business strategy intersect is equally important.

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Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned

• Overcoming imposter syndrome is an ongoing process. Each new challenge brings new doubts, but I’m learning that confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about trusting my ability to find the answers.

• Asking for help is a skill, not a weakness. Talking through my questions with Kimberly helped me gain clarity and think more critically. I’m realizing that reaching out for guidance doesn’t mean I’m unqualified—it means I’m actively learning.  

• AI tools and outside resources (like YouTube) can be powerful learning aids. When used strategically, they can make complex tasks more manageable and increase efficiency.

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How This Prepares Me for My Future in Dermatology Nursing

1. Research is a foundational skill in dermatology nursing. Whether I’m staying up to date on new treatments, contributing to research, or educating patients, knowing how to critically analyze literature is essential.

2. Learning to navigate uncertainty builds resilience. In dermatology (and healthcare in general), I won’t always have immediate answers, but this month has reinforced the importance of problem-solving—whether that means asking the right questions, leveraging technology, or seeking credible sources.

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Advice for Future Interns & Program Leaders

For Interns:

• Don’t wait until you’re completely lost to ask for help. Talking through your questions—whether with Kimberly or your own mentor, AI tools, or other resources—can help you get unstuck much faster. Also, trust that feeling overwhelmed at times is normal.

• Break large tasks into smaller steps. Breaking large tasks into smaller steps helps prevent overwhelm and makes it easier to stay focused, as tackling one manageable piece at a time creates a sense of progress and keeps the workload from feeling impossible.

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For Program Leaders:

• Providing structured guidance on key tasks, could help interns feel more confident from the start. A simple framework or checklist outlining the process would be valuable for those who are unfamiliar with research in this format.

• Incorporate more opportunities for business exposure. Shadowing Kimberly as she evaluated software was eye-opening, and I think more interns would benefit from seeing real-world applications of business decisions in healthcare.

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Looking Ahead: Goals for Next Month

Finalize my framework for completing systematic reviews and gain confidence in synthesizing and writing up findings. This first took me longer than expected but I’m hoping be able to move through the process faster with the upcoming literature reviews.

Continue refining my efficiency with AI tools and explore how they can streamline research tasks.

Look for opportunities to apply the business knowledge I’m learning to the refinement of my own business idea—whether through technology evaluation, process improvement, or identifying gaps in dermatology care.

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Kimberly Madison, DNP

Jade and I spent the majority of February ensuring she had clarity and confidence. We started by brainstorming about the options for her PICO question based on her goal. As a reminder, Jade had to write a paper for her internship application. It is serving as the inspiration for her current paper. Her final question was based on the keywords that yielded the largest number of articles relative to her PICO question and inclusion criteria.

Next, we debated whether she should write a systematic or scoping review, the difference between the two, and how she planned to address gaps in the literature. Jade has access to an academic library and stores her articles in Zotero, where we’ve created a team to make it easier to share articles and comments. I am a co-author of her paper. In conjunction with Jade, I will complete the full-text review of the articles that met the inclusion criteria or were manually selected.

Based on Jade’s insightful feedback, I simplified the goals for the month to reduce her feelings of overwhelm. Our meetings focused on business updates as she continues to go through the ideation process, my progress in an intensive 8-week business sales coaching program, and her Q1 goals:

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

1. Complete article on Access to Dermatology Care Using AI

2. Complete article on Dermatology Nursing Education

3. Complete onboarding tools to obtain skills to conduct a quality literature review

4. Study for and obtain Dermatology Nurse Certification by the third quarter

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We’re using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to guide our literature review and assess the effectiveness of the interventions. You can view the checklist here.

In our research, we came across the article "JAMA Dermatology Editorial Fellowship—What We Have Learned" by Maria Teresa García-Romero, MD, MPH, and Andrea D. Maderal, MD. It was an insightful read that highlighted the many benefits of internships and participating in nontraditional opportunities. It gave us a deeper appreciation for this unique experience we’re navigating together.

To stay organized, we track all our activities in a Notion calendar, which makes it easier to write these reflection articles each month. One recent activity was attending the Challenging PsO Areas to Diagnose and Treat webinar hosted by BCI Management & Communications. The following day, Jade joined me as co-host on The Melanin Initiative Podcast, where she shared her expert insights on the patient experience with our guest, Ayesha Patrick, the founder of Sistas with Psoriasis and the Psoriasis Collective. Jade had previously joined me for a brainstorming session with Ms. Patrick, so this podcast gave her a behind-the-scenes look at the full production process (minus the editing and marketing post-production!).

Jade also participated in several virtual meetings with me, including one that shed light on the challenges faced by aesthetic nurse practitioner entrepreneurs. Notably, Allergan's Year-Over-Year Sales Decline report in February helped us better understand the market from multiple perspectives. Despite this report and the rising costs of overhead, there’s a noticeable increase in nurses and nurse practitioners starting their own medspas and entering nursing solely with that goal in mind. Recognizing this, I began identifying themes and potential solutions to address the challenges and gaps in nurse-led businesses and education as it relates to dermatology. Jade and I are continuing to explore these issues and will address them in our work throughout the year.

Watching Jade navigate her second month of the Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship has been both inspiring and insightful. Writing a systematic review is something even seasoned clinicians can find daunting. What stood out to me most was not just Jade’s ability to engage with the research process but how she actively worked through challenges with resilience and resourcefulness.

One of the biggest indicators of growth I’ve seen in Jade is her evolving approach to problem-solving. Early on, she experienced moments of self-doubt, which is common when stepping into unfamiliar territory. However, instead of letting imposter syndrome stall her progress, she learned how to ask the right questions and is actively working to identify her framework to writing systematic reviews.

Through purposeful mentorship, my role has been to provide support while also encouraging autonomy. It’s easy to want to give interns all the answers, but the real value comes from guiding them toward the right questions. When Jade reached out for clarity on her systematic review, our discussions weren’t about handing her a step-by-step answer but helping her identify tools to approach the task effectively. This balance between guidance and independent problem-solving is crucial in fostering confidence and competence in Key Persons of Authority.

Beyond research, this month also introduced Jade to the intersection of dermatology and business. Together, we evaluated a new software platform that gave her firsthand insight into the strategic decision-making required to run a business. Many nurse interns/externs enter programs expecting to focus solely on clinical skills, but understanding the operational side of healthcare businesses is equally valuable. Exposing interns to these elements early on can help shape well-rounded professionals who are prepared for leadership roles in the future.

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Key Takeaways for Program Leaders

1. Structure with Flexibility: Providing interns with an initial framework for complex tasks—such as systematic reviews—can set them up for success. However, leaving room for self-directed learning allows them to develop critical thinking skills.

2. Encourage Resourcefulness: Learning how to effectively use AI tools, research databases, and mentorship is just as important as the content itself. Interns should be encouraged to explore multiple avenues of learning.

3. Integrate Business Exposure: Dermatology isn’t just about clinical care—it’s also about operational efficiency, growth in leadership, and using innovative strategies to address gaps in education, research, and business. Giving interns a glimpse into the decision-making behind technology and business processes can broaden their understanding of the field.

Jade’s growth over the past two months is a testament to the power of purposeful mentorship, strategic learning, and the importance of maintaining a spirit of curiosity. As she continues refining her research skills and applying business insights to her career path, I have no doubt she will make a lasting impact in dermatology nursing.

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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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