Hey guys, Laurel here! This interview is with my sister Linden. She has inspired me in so many ways; she’s hardworking, passionate about her field, always pushes herself to be the best person she can, and is one of the reasons that I would like to pursue nursing.
Q: What specialties have you worked in and what specialty do you currently work in?
A: I currently work as a Clinical Integration Specialist in the Office of Quality Improvement at a hospital. My role is to coordinate clinical quality improvement initiatives throughout the organization and champion for evidence-based standards and best practices.
My previous job was an informatics nurse. I helped support the hospital’s technological.clinical initiatives, assessed nursing and provider electronic medical record (EMR) workflow, and educated end-users of new technological functionalities.
Prior to being an informatics nurse, I worked as a staff psychiatric nurse. I had the privilege of caring for patients and advocating for their health needs. As a staff nurse, I was involved with evidence based practice projects such as implementing the use of a multi sensory room to decrease patient agitation and anxiety levels.
In addition to my clinical work, I have a passion for research, which lead me to pursue my MSN and PhD. My dissertation examined technology usage in dating violence and detrimental mental health outcomes. I have been the recipient of multiple fellowships supported by the National Institute of Health, Jonas Nurse Scholars Program, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and a fellowship with the GetWellNetwork’s O’Neil Center focusing on patient engagement using technologic tools. I have also participated in federally-funded research studies with well-established mentors, and presentations at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Q: What was the most memorable experience you've had so far in your career?
A: One of my most memorable experiences was shadowing/helping during a hospital’s “Go-Live” process as part of my MSN clinical experience. This “Go-Live” was special since the hospital was converting from a paper-based documentation process to an all electronic documentation process. I helped teach and educate the staff as appropriate. I also helped my clinical preceptor and the Go-Live team create educational tools, pamphlets, binders, and training manuals for stand. I also participated in “Rounding” which is going onto the units to support and trouble shoot and questions that the hospital stand (i.e. physicians, nurses, milieu staff etc.) may have.
Q: What does a typical work day look like for you?
A: I do not have a typical work-day. My work-day depends on various projects I am coordinating at any given time. For example, I may be working very closely with clinical staff on any initiative their units or departments are developing. Other days, I may be doing research or creating data analysis and reports. Sometimes my days can be filled with meetings.
Q: What helped you the most to get you through nursing school?
A: I loved participating in extracurriculars as a way to de-stress from nursing school and make friends at the University and beyond. I spearheaded a volunteer initiative that merged technology and health at a local under-served community. I served as secretary for my Resident Student Association (RSA) to plan monthly social events for 700+ college students. I also served on the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) Bid committee which proposed and won the bid to host the NACURH Annual Conference at my University. For the NACURH Annual Conference, I planned and budgeted events for 3,000+ participants as the Hospitality and Socials Chair.
Besides social-extracurricular activities, I was passionate about helping the greater community through research initiatives. Thus, I participated in my School of Nursing’s undergraduate mentorship research program (UMRP). Through the program, I collaborated with community partners to collect, input and analyze data to examine gender, racial, and school difference in a high school student’s knowledge about teen dating violence. During my UMRP, I was the recipient of three University Honor’s College Fellowship Awards, and presented research posters at local, state, national, and international conferences.
Q: What would you say the most important qualities of a nurse are?
A: As a nurse/nursing student, patient and family care has always been near and dear to my heart. Some of the most important qualities a nurse can have are empathy, love, and care to build a bond of trust with the patients. Thus as an undergraduate nursing student, I worked as a part time “Guardian Angel Liaison” for a hospital’s Adult Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas and Intestinal transplant department. I facilitated communication amongst patients, transplant clinical team, and the Organ Referral Center stand regarding patients. I coordinated any concerns with the transplant team to improve both patients’ and families’ experiences and satisfaction, as well as decrease their stress and anxiety levels.
Q: What advice do you have for any high school students interested in nursing?
A: Do not be afraid to ask for help if you have any questions or to voice your ideas and opinions. Many of the opportunities I experienced were the result of my networking with my School of Nursing professors/peers, the University campus student leaders, and hospital staff/clinical mentors. Nursing is an ever-evolving profession. Whether you have a passion for clinical work, teaching, research, technology, management, or business, nursing encompasses all the job descriptions and more. I was working with a career coach, and he described me as a “Niche-Maker” nurse. Merriam-Webster defines “Niche” as a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted. Thus a “Niche-Maker” is someone who creates something that best suits them and their abilities. This is the perfect term to describe nurses because there is never a “one size fits all” term to describe the nursing profession. As a nurse, you can build your career any way you want it to be.
Q: What were some things you wish before entering nursing school?
A: Nursing school has helped me overcome so many of my fears. As a child, I was always afraid of blood, gore, and needles. There were days that I struggled through my science courses as a nursing student, and thought that I may have failed a test or course. But do not let any of those fears or struggles deter you from entering nursing school. As a nursing student, there will be long days shadowing for your clinical hours, and you will have late nights working on your nursing care plans. There were definitely days I wanted to give up, and call it quits. Through each trial and tribulation, tears and happiness, nursing school will help you create beautiful bonds of friendship that will last you a lifetime and beyond.
Thank you so much Linden for answering our questions. We hope this provided some insight into nursing and the different opportunities available to nursing students!
Sincerely,
Laurel and Veronica
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