Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 1 | Page 17
Do you have a mentor?
I’m blessed to have many mentors. My first
mentors were my mother and grammy. My
mother was an ICU/CCU nurse for 15 years
before transferring to outpatient cardiac rehab.
While she was working the evening shift, I’d
beg my father to take me to visit her. When I
set foot in her unit, it felt like I was meant to
be there someday. Watching my mother and her
coworkers care for people modeled high-quality
patient-centered care before it was trending.
My grammy told me that I took the best care of
her and that she could see me as a nurse. When
I began working in the hospital, my mother
would remind me “treat each patient as if they
were your grammy.” I think of this every time I
head to work or walk into a patient’s room.
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How are you involved with PSNA?
In 2016, I was on the YNP leadership team.
Although I took a step back as I finished my
BSN, I am looking forward to getting back into
YNP events!
How has your volunteer firefighter experience im-
pacted your career?
Volunteering as a firefighter and ambulance driver
was a rewarding experiences. There was the thrill
of racing to the scene with lights and sirens, the
buzz as we worked on patients in cardiac arrest
or entrapments, and the relief of a quick save or
efficient transfer of care.
Pulling into EDs and unloading patients to
bring them in and report off to the nurses
brought a level of professionalism and camara-
derie that pulled me deeper into nursing. Every
ambulance response reminded me of my dream
to become a nurse.
I learned a lot of basic care skills as a firefighter
and ambulance driver/attendant. The most ben-
eficial and valuable skill I learned was that of
communicating with the patient and remaining
calm amid emergency situations.
We want you to make an informed decision about the university that’s right for you. For more
about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed each program, and
other important information, visit www.apus.edu/disclosure.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at American Public University System is accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington,
DC 20036, 202-887-6791.
The nurse-patient relationship is one of
the most sacred, fundamental, and foun-
dational aspects of nursing. Rather than
rushing to respond, it is important to listen,
understand, and empathize. I would tell
a new-to-practice RN to join at least one
specialty nursing organization and read at
least one specialty nursing journal.
Any final tips for readers?
Please remember to treat each
patient as if they were your adored
grammy!
Issue 1 2017 Pennsylvania Nurse 15