Hometown: Springfield
Job Title: Registered Nurse
Where do you Work: Soin Medical Center and Mercy Health-Springfield Regional Medical Center
Describe what your day is like/what you do: At Soin, I work in a pre-/post-procedural unit. Each morning, we prepare patients for various procedures such as heart catherizations, pacemaker insertions and revisions, interventional radiology procedures and chronic pain injections.
At Mercy Health-Springfield, I work on an ICU step-down inpatient unit. Currently, that unit is the designated COVID-19 unit. Normally, the unit is home for patients who have medical and respiratory issues that require higher acuity.
What inspired you to get into health care? As a little girl, I was always intrigued by the medical field and always dreamed of being a nurse. My father was in a motorcycle accident and I cared for him for six months after he was released from the hospital. After that, I knew I needed to follow my dream of becoming a nurse. There is something really special about caring for patients during a highly stressful time in their lives. It is a blessing to be the person that they trust the most during a crisis in their life.
Health Care Hero: ‘I became a nurse to make a difference’
What's a memorable experience you've had in health care? I have had multiple patients who I have remembered throughout the years for various reasons. But there was one patient who I was caring for that I will never forget. The patient and family decided that it was time to withdraw care because the patient's disease progression was not going to improve. I reassured the family that I would be with them every step of the way during the process. I stayed past my shift time to continue to care for the patient and his family. I listened to stories of his life. It was a very touching moment that they wanted me to be present during such a heartbreaking time for them. After the patient passed away, the family sent flowers to the unit.
What do you want readers to know about your job right now? Being a nurse is one of the hardest jobs, not only physically, but mentally, as well. It is also the most rewarding. I wouldn't be able to be as successful in my role if it weren't for my amazing family support and the support of my co-workers and team. I truly enjoy going to work everyday because I get to care for those in my community — and I get to work with awesome people that I feel like are my family, too.
Health Care Hero: ‘I really love my job’