Graduation Year:
2012
Why did you become a nurse?
I went into nursing as a second career. I was looking for something more rewarding, more fulfilling, and something I knew I was making a difference by doing. I also have nurses in the family and it really helped shape my decision.
What is your best memory from nursing school?
Hands down, my favorite memories are the mission trip to Haiti! That was life changing. I helped orphans, I climbed up little pathways to villages in the upper mountains to treat scabies, I started an IV on a dehydrated cholera patient, and so much more. I really got to be immersed in another culture, hands-on clinical skills in the field, and I got a much better understanding of the blessings I take for granted here at home that so much of the rest of the world lives without.
What advice would you give to new nurses?
Give yourself time to be new. Give yourself room to learn, grow, and make mistakes. We are somewhat groomed to be perfectionists throughout school, our cut off for a failing grade is what many other disciplines consider an avg grade. We tend to jump into transition to practice with that same perfectionist mind set. As a nursing leader, I saw many of my team members struggle with mental health because they left themselves no room for imperfection, no room to be new nurses. Consider your entire first year of practice as your “new” period to the work and not just your 10-12 weeks of orientation with a preceptor. Seek out mentors and trusted nurses to talk to and seek guidance from. It can positively impact your mental health and your self confidence during that first year.
How did St. Elizabeth School of Nursing prepare you for your career?
St. Elizabeth offered incredible hands-on learning that I see many schools not offer. I graduated feeling very comfortable talking to patients, administering medications, documenting my assessments, etc. Through onsite clinicals every semester and a lot of skills lab experiences, St. E doesn’t just prepare you theoretically for the practice of nursing but for the practical application of it as well!
If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be?
I would love to own a horse farm. Horses are my passion and I would love nothing more than to spend all day every day out in the barn and pasture with them.
What was your job in the field after you completed your degree?
After graduation I worked as a bedside nurse on night shift in a Cardiac Progressive Care Unit. I absolutely loved it! The patient population excited me and challenged me. I developed my clinical judgment and critical thinking there. That role set the stage for me to grow as a nurse and as a leader, I ultimately became Manager of that unit and loved leading that team and creating a healing environment for my staff and my patients.
What do you do now?
Today I work as a Talent Acquisition RN Consultant under the HR umbrella. This role allows me to meet nurses and nursing students all over Indiana, share my experiences, mentor others, and help both seasoned and new nurses find the position and unit that best fits their goals. It also allows me to engage with professional organizations in a more robust way as it is part of the networking expected of this type of role. I recently was elected to serve as a Director on the Board of Directors for Indiana State Nurses Association and I’m very excited to begin serving and advocating for all Hoosier nurses!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Since my graduation from St. E, I have gone on to obtain my MSN as well as my MBA and I am enrolled to begin a Doctor of Business Administration program in January. I want to utilize the business toolbox and skill set to make positive impact for nurses on a bigger scale and I’ve found that being able to speak to many of our non-nurse colleagues in the healthcare arena using their business principles, philosophies, and lingo can help break down some of the barriers between the nursing and business sides of the healthcare industry.
