Education: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond
Experience: In nursing since 2009
Unit: Northlake Campus – Neonatal ICU
I wanted to be a physical therapist my whole life. Then, niece was born with a congenital heart abnormality when I was a junior in high school. She had open heart surgery at one week, and again at one month. She spent the first six months of her life in the hospital. She’s going to be 18 this year and she’s thriving and amazing. That’s when nursing became my thing.
About 10 years ago I was an ER nurse at another hospital in the area. We had a baby that was born poorly. So, we called in the Methodist NICU team to transport this infant. They’re there within 30 minutes and I’m not kidding you it was like one of those movies where the white light appeared behind them, and these women came in like angels. They stabilized this baby, and they were out the door within an hour. They took control. They knew what to do, how to do it, where to do it. Nothing else mattered. They got the baby out perfectly. And from that moment, I knew I wanted to work at Methodist NICU because of those women.
I love nursing because of all the things I’m allowed to do. I’m one of the nice nurses in the NICU. I’m also a social worker. I’m also the security guard. I’m also the nurse that takes care of the babies. I’m also that friendly face that these parents see – that face of comfort. I just like all the roles I get to play. It’s not the same thing every day
It’s a family here. And I haven’t experienced that at other hospitals. We’re always going to get together to do what’s best for the patient. Methodist is a small town in a big hospital.
We don’t get massive raises. That’s not what you’re coming here for. You’re coming here to be more than a nurse. You’re coming here because you want to help this community, this specific type of community. You’re coming here to give the best care to patients who deserve the best care from the best nurses. I’ve gone to those hospitals and got those big sign-on bonuses. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy because I wasn’t really appreciated. You’re going to find when you’re here, these patients appreciate you. They really reach out to you and thank you for caring for them.
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