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Why Go Into Nursing
Interviews with Nurses

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Why go into nursing? The hours can be long and the stress enormous yet; many find that the rewards in job satisfaction far outweigh the negatives. Few careers offer so much diversity in work environments and locations as nursing. We asked a few of their view about their chosen profession.

Valerie Ackerman

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: The thing I enjoy most about being a nurse is the opportunity to comfort others during stressful times. When I was at the bedside nursing, I could see it in my patient’s faces when I patted or squeezed their hand while giving explanation or directions that they were reassured. I use this same practice today, even though I am no longer at the bedside giving direct care. When I deal with employee issues or patient complaints/concerns I still find myself touching in someway to connect with them, to ultimately comfort others!
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: During high school I worked on week-ends for my grandmother as a housekeeper in an extended care facility. I did not like the way the residents were treated; faces not wiped after meals, food not cut up for them, setting for long hours in the same position, etc. So I went to the Director of Nurses to voice my concern and also to add I know I could do a better job by just treating others the way I would like to be treated. Instantly I had a new badge with “Nurses’ Aide” attached to my last name! That began my career over 30 years ago!
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: I don’t feel as if any one person inspired me to become a nurse. I think my initial compassion drove my career choice. I have had the opportunity to have numerous “unknowing” mentors that have shaped my career path.; Healthcare is about lifelong learning and I am a prime example of that; obtaining my LVN license right out of high school, then my RN license 10 years later, and then my BSN degree!
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The trends I see for Healthcare are ever increasing in the economical and technological areas! We must learn to stay current in our practice while being continually mindful of the most cost-effective method to produce positive outcomes for those we care for.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in nursing?: My advice for anyone considering a career in nursing and for those newly graduated nurses is to ALWAYS remember to be patient focused. If you are delivering direct bedside care or managing a group of nurses who deliver direct care, please never forget the reason you are there…. to comfort and care for the PATIENT!

Banke Ayileka

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: As a community health nurse educator, I enjoy working with different organizations, and diverse populations and love working in the community. Some of my memorable experiences were home visiting to high and low risk neighborhoods, working with the elderly population, and as a nurse at the sickle cell camp. Sharing knowledge by precepting nursing students and most importantly taking care of the special premature babies in NICU. The precious moments of delivering babies as a midwife, will never be forgotten. The chaotic hurricane seasons and the times spent with people in need at that time. I remembered my deployment to Punta Gorda during hurricane Charlie, I saw the devastation and was able to hear and feel the people fortunate enough to be alive. I have been everywhere and everyplace working with wonderful, supportive and caring people throughout my 29 years of nursing and will never trade them for anything. Public health nursing will always be number one on my list.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: The decision was made before I graduated from the high school.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My father did. As a school principal, he always promotes the importance of education.
What trend do you see for healthcare?: Public Health Education will take the lead in the health care delivery system. I believe that all health problem starts and ends in the community and that Prevention comes before intervention. Community health nursing programs will be implemented in all nursing programs just like the one at University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Nursing profession is one person, many tasks. It is a profession in the healthcare that mind everybody’s business meaning understanding and knowing more about other disciplines. To be working as a nurse or any other discipline in medicine, you have to be flexible and able to work with diverse population. A sense of humor is also a good thing in a stressful environment.; We need more organizations like “GREAT 100 NURSES” for recognition of nurses and to continue the support for future nurses. We have so many special nurses still out there in our hospitals and community that needs to be recognized. “Recognition equals Strength and Encouragement” which are both needed to carry on from day to day especially these days.

LT Accursia Baldassano

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: I enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in a patient's life. Whether it's through teaching, providing care or supporting a family. Each aspect of care allows me to give personally of myself and feel rewarded at the end of the day, knowing I made a difference. I also really enjoy teaching the Hospital Corpsman in the Navy Hospital nursing skills, ultimately the skills and nursing care I teach them can be paid forward on the battlefield. Knowing that fills up my heart with pride.
When did you decide you wanted a career in healthcare?: When I was in high school they offered a health care course for seniors to experience health care opportunities. IT was then, Nursing came to light as a potential career. On a side note I always wanted to work with monkeys at the zoo.. sometimes.. in nursing I feel I get to live both dreams. :)
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: I was a corpsman in the Navy prior to becoming a nurse. My fellow Navy Nurses inspired me to become a Navy Nurse.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: I see nurses taking a more practitioner role in a variety of healthcare disciplines. I also see nurses taking on more leadership roles in the healthcare fields.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in nursing?: Nursing is the key to many locked doors. It's the winning lottery ticket. But, you have to play to win. There are so many avenues in nursing to pursue, there really isn't enough time in your life to travel down all of them, and your options are endless.

Dorothy Banks

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: What I enjoy most about nursing is caring for my clients and reassuring them that I am providing excellent nursing care, geared towards providing their optimum level of health, while maintaining their confidentiality.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I knew as a young child that I wanted to become a nurse. Coming from a rich history of public health nurses, I learned at a very young age the importance of community advocacy and health. I occasionally accompanied my grandmother during her community based outreach, as she provided care for women and children throughout the South-Dade area. I also enjoyed volunteering in the convalescent home own and operated by my grandmother. Eventually, I volunteered as a Candy Striper at a local hospital, which further enhanced my zeal to seek a career in the healthcare field.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My inspiration to become a nurse was my grandmother (owner and operator of the first healthcare facility in South Miami, Florida and a mid-wife), my mother, 3 sisters, and aunts all in the nursing field. To observe Big Momma, momma and my sisters wearing their nicely starched white uniforms and their white nursing shoes were definitely inspiring. Also, observing my grandmother making home visits, assessing and caring for the whole family while performing her midwifery duties was my first introduction of holistic nursing. As I began my nursing career it gave me the greatest pleasure working in the same facility as my sisters and mother, even sometimes being assigned to the same patients. So from all of this familiar influence, nursing has always been in my blood.
What Trends do you see for healthcare?: The trends that I see for future healthcare are for more well trained and caring home health nurses, as HMO's, and insurance companies encourage early discharge from the hospitals. Also, more outreach to the community at large, to ensure that no one is left without at least the basic health screenings that would provide early detection and prevention. I also see improvement in the working conditions for nurses with emphases on better nurse patient ratio.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Advice that I have for someone considering a career in medicine is that the art of medicine and nursing in promoting health is a rewarding career. I would encourage one to study hard, and continue to perform task as they were taught in delivering health care. Those basic principles serve as road maps to maintain and restore homeostasis, and are the basic foundation for ones continuing in higher education. Grasp every educational opportunity to enhance your knowledge base and keep abreast of current nursing and medical trends. One should be concise and a true example of professionalism in their daily walk in the health care arena, and above all, let God be the light that shines in you and for you as you function in this great career filed.

Lydia Bautista

What do you enjoy most of being a nurse?: The memories of my experiences, the skills, the care and sacrifices I've been through to make a difference in the lives of others that unexpectedly gave me the opportunity to gain this special recognition.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: When I was in junior high school.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My oldest brother, his encouragement, support and motivation together with my family served as the inspiration in the pursuit of my nursing career.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The needs for more health care professionals will continue as the population grows while the health care providers seek for job satisfaction.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: An individual who has a desire in the medical field should have a lot of patience, is kind-hearted and always ready to help. This is for somebody who likes to make a difference in the life of others. Like nursing, this is a profession of caring.

Kenneth Beasley

What do you enjoy most of being a nurse?: The moments I know I have touched someone's life. Whether it is a patient, family member, coworker, anyone, but I sense that for a moment I have made a difference in someone's life. I was put at the right place and at the right time. They as well as I will be changed or affected for rest of our lives.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I decided in high school to pursue a medical career. A deep interest in medicine coupled with a desire to help others guided me to nursing. After a stint in the Armed Forces, I reactivated my pursuit in nursing.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My Mom, always encouraged me to follow my heart when it came to nursing. Even when men were a rare site in nursing. Of course, as a Nurse Assistant, many nurses I worked with encouraged me to go to school and were always there for me when working full time and school full time seemed insurmountable.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: I feel that nursing will become a career field of ever increasing specialties. As technology gets more sophisticated, Nurses will have to become more specialized and educated to meet the specific needs of patients. An aging population I feel will lend itself to RNs becoming more care directors than care givers.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Never stop learning and always remember the reason you became a nurse. Always keep in your mind who the most important person in nursing is: THE PATIENT.

Fettie Blackwell

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: What I enjoy most about being a nurse is simply caring, helping & nurturing people. When people present into the health care system their lives have been interrupted by illness or disease. As healthcare professionals we care for people that have come from all walks of life — the great & the small, the young & the old, the rich & the poor, the ordinary & the extraordinary — they present themselves into our health care community after being "catapulted" into coping with a common "thread of life" that has no respect of persons -> illness & disease. This "thread of life" places everyone on the same level -> desiring competent, compassionate care & healing. Thus, as "their" nurse I enjoy the wonderful opportunity of caring for and assisting patients on their journey toward wellness & healing.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: As a little girl, I decided when I grew up I wanted to become either a hairstylist or a nurse. Nursing won!! I also believed I had a "calling" or special gifting from God to help people through caring for the sick. This is why I chose a career in healthcare.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: There was no person in particular that inspired me. However, I believed I had a "calling" from God to become a nurse. Therefore, under divine inspiration I pursued Nursing as I career. Nursing was part of God's purpose and plan for my life. I am passionate about nursing with no regrets!
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The trends I see forthcoming for healthcare include more technology — "high tech" advancements beyond our wildest imaginations! Cutting edge research will continue to bring about superior treatments, practices and hopefully cures for more diseases. Technology will continue to assist healthcare professionals perform and provide care at a faster pace with additional ease. However, no advancement could ever eradicate illness or disease. Additionally, no computer, robot or technological advance could ever replace the HUMAN TOUCH.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: My advice for someone considering a career in medicine is: IT'S A HEART BUSINESS!! Prosperity could come, however, love, care, concern, compassion, commitment, competence & passion must be the core of pursuing such a career. When these characteristics with high standards, ethical principles and professionalism are combined and pursued, the result will be someone that would be a blessing to mankind and fulfilled as a person!

Jane Bowditch

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: What I enjoy most about professional nursing is having the ability to educate and advocate for patients under my care.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I decided in my sophomore year of high school to become a nurse.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My aunt was an Army nurse during World War II. I use to look at her picture and imagine myself in her position. She looked so professional and I envied her.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: I see many trends in healthcare. Some are good and some are not. That is why I feel nursing needs to become more politically active. Nurses are on the front line of healthcare and are witness to the needs of the public. Nurses need to have more input into medical issue decision making to ensure better outcomes.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: I would advise her or him to enter nursing with an open mind. I would tell them that nursing offers many opportunities to grow and learn. I would also tell them there is nothing more rewarding than a "thank you” from a patient or a family for something you have done to make their day a little better.

Charles E. (Eddie) Brown

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: I enjoy being part of an unstable, fast-changing environment of the Emergency Department. To be trusted with the life of a person who is ill or injured by someone I do not know or who does not know me is a great honor. This is especially true when it is a parent who is trusting me with the most precious person in the world to them. I am humbled by the knowledge I have gained by working with people I have a great respect for and who have shared their knowledge with me and allowed me to become skill in the art and science of emergency nursing. I also appreciate the team I work with every day who make it possible for me to be successful and realize I made the right choice of a career many years ago.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I began my career many years ago as an ambulance attendant in a small rural system in Western North Carolina. In the early days we were very limited in what we could do. When I would take a patient into the Emergency Department I was amazed by what the nurses could do and the benefit to the patient. I took every opportunity to learn about disease and injury and as I improved my care of the patient I took into the emergency department the nurses encouraged me to consider a career as an emergency nurse. Later, while continuing my career in EMS and Law Enforcement I came to realize the patient care was what I really enjoyed. I was given the opportunity to attend nursing school and I took the opportunity that I knew would never come again.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: It was not one individual but the nurses of the Emergency Department of Cleveland Memorial Hospital in North Carolina who encouraged me and shared their knowledge with me. This special group showed me how much someone's life could be changed by the work of a nurse. They instilled in me the desire to began an educational journey that has never ended. No matter where I go or what I do I will never forget this great group of women.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The shift from a paper world to an electronic world will continue and will provide us with the information that is so vital to support our work and base our practice on evidence of appropriate outcomes. I also believe that every nurse must become involved in nursing research and work together to support the great profession of nursing.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Began with a love of people and a sense that everyone is equal and should be treated as such. Learn everything you can about caring for a patient or their families, and when you think you know it all, look further because there is so much more to learn. Always turn to the greatest resources you have; faith in God, the love and support of your family, respect for the team of nurses and healthcare professionals you will meet and work with during your career, and finally take care of yourself.

Calinca Caudilla

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: My mother thought that nursing would be the right career for me. I wanted to go to medical school or engineering school after graduating from high school. My mother said medical school is very expensive and we can't afford it and engineering is for boys only.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My mother.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The wide use of tele-medicine and telehealth nursing. With the advanced technology and video conferencing patients access to their physicians and home healthcare nurse is almost instantaneous.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Before going to nursing or medical school encourage that special someone to work in a medical setting (hospital or clinic) as a paid employee or volunteer to see if this job is for you. Then you want to be in this profession because this is where you want to be and the next reason will be secondary.

Teresa Conlin

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: My nursing career has been rich with variety. Working with clients in their homes afforded me the opportunity to practice cultural care. I enjoy helping people realize their dream of getting well and staying home. In my administrative role, I enjoy passing on my knowledge to other nurses so that they may build a career as rewarding as mine.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. My final decision came in high school.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My sister is a nurse and she inspired me to do the same.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: Healthcare is moving towards using sophisticated technology to diagnose, treat, and manage disease. Technology will afford clients easier and shorter recovery times. In addition, I see healthcare moving from traditional inpatient settings to outpatient and home settings.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: My advice to someone considering a career in medicine is to search oneself and decide what type of goal you have. There are many aspects of health care one can enter from performing or assisting with technologically advanced procedures to helping clients learn the basics of their disease process. Some may enjoy the personal touch while others might like a fast pace of setting such as the operating or emergency room.

Karin Costandi

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: At the end of the day, however long and stressful it may have been, when I have to remind myself of the reasons why I became a nurse, I think about the time I spent with each and every one of my patients, the kind smiles, the gentle hugs, and I remind myself that I may have been the only "family" some patients have left in this world, and it touches my heart and gives me a feeling of accomplishment and enjoyment.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I immigrated to the U.S. in 1987. I had previously worked as a Physician's Assistant in Germany. I needed to find employment, and since my former education in Germany was related to healthcare, I decided to stay in the field and to pursue formal education in the healthcare field. I thought it would be smart to continue my studies and remain in the field. Little did I realize that the English I learned in High school in Germany had absolutely nothing to do with the English I needed to learn to complete my education in the U.S.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My Director of Nursing at my first place of employment in the U.S. inspired me to become a nurse. She always told me that I needed to go to university to obtain my degree, so I could take over her job in time. I did, eventually.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: In my environment, which is mostly short term rehab and long term care, we have noticed a shift in clients over the last few years. Our short term clients are becoming younger and younger, and our elderly live longer and longer. Most of the younger clients appear to be clients who have selected orthopedic surgeries. Others are younger clients who have become permanently disabled and require either short term services, or long term care. There has been a shift in the acuity of clients. Some clients are medically not stable and our units are slowly transforming from being a short term care unit to becoming an acute care unit. Hospitals tend to discharge clients sooner and sicker these days.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: If you care enough to make a difference in someone else's life, and if you do not mind working weekends and holidays, GO FOR IT! because the rewards will be plentiful.

Karen Crosson

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: Being able to make a difference in someone else's life.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: From childhood; I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 7, so I sort of grew up in the healthcare world and saw what good it had to offer as well as at times the not so good… I wanted to make a difference.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My mother; she has always been my biggest supporter. Even with the limitations being a diabetic could bring, she was always the one who encouraged me that I could do anything I put my mind to.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: A few years ago due in part to financial restraints and insurance reimbursement some of the actual "caring" in nursing was lost. I see a big focus coming back to giving holistic care to the patient. I think this turn will show greater patient satisfaction and recovery rate.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: You must be willing to give of yourself. Being a nurse can be great career, but when you see it as your vocation, it can bring some of the greatest joys to your life.

Antonina "Toni" Cuaresma

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: I love nursing because it is a hands-on profession. We get to know patients and their families on a personal level because we have so much interaction with them.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I always have been drawn to the medical profession and I truly enjoy helping others. Nursing allows me to work in a medical setting while interfacing closely with patients. I love being able to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: Being the youngest of 8, my family inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: Nursing is always changing with the new technology and advancements.; It is always challenging, it keeps pushing me to grow and learn.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: If you have the passion and the will to care for others, a career in nursing offers you the chance to contribute to the well being and recovery of ill or injured. It's very satisfying to know that you've made a difference in a patient's life.

Paz David

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: I enjoy being a "bedside buddy" to my patients. I feel it is an integral part of care to talk about and actively listen to the needs of each patient. By establishing meaningful relationships, I know that I can provide better care for my patients. I relish the thought of knowing that I am able to make a patient hospital stay more comfortable and less frightening.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: At an early age I have known that I like to help people. As a child, I frequently helped my parents, brothers and sisters with miscellaneous chores around the house and farm. My enthusiasm to help people when I was younger sparked my interest to become a nurse and to help those who are afflicted by illness or injury. I was in senior high school when I made up my mind to go to college and study nursing.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: I thank my parents for who I am today. They were very instrumental in making me succeed.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: I envision more possibilities for healthcare because of arising technological advances. Technology has played a pivotal role in the advancement of medical care and also in the diagnosis of many diseases and their cure. I would also like to see the increase interest and advancement of nurses in education. We need more nurses to make a commitment to teach our young nursing students to result in an increase staff in hospitals and clinics. Nursing is an important component of patient care. Nurses make an impact in many patients’ lives by providing for their needs in a holistic way. As Charlie Chaplin, a British author said, "More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness".
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: If you are interested in a career in the healthcare realm, start by volunteering or interning at a hospital or clinic. By exposing yourself to the institution of healthcare you may discover that this type of work is or is not right for you. I honestly believe that you have to love the work that you do to survive the highs and lows of working in the healthcare field.

Donna DeGenero

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: I like the satisfaction that knowing that what I do (helping others) can make a difference is someone’s life.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I always wanted to be a nurse, however I got married young and my priorities changed. Raising children was first, so I was unable to go back to school until 1997, I guess you can say I am a late bloomer. Nursing is such a proud profession that I always wanted to be part of. So I did it!
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: Yes, my 98 year old great uncle that used to lived with me. It was a pleasure taking care of him. He was alert and oriented with a little short term memory lost. Listening to his stories of yesteryears was awesome. I used to laugh at him when we would go to the park or the beach, he would get so excited seeing women’ legs and their bathing suits! His contentment and joy in his eyes when I would do little things such as making him a sandwich was something I wanted to be able to share with others.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: Trends in healthcare — I see an increase in the aging population, demand for more nurses, cures for many diseases such as cancer, diabetes and HIV. I also see an increase in medical cost and the demands for home health care.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Go for it! It is the most demanding and satisfying career everyone should experience. Job security will never be an issue. Unlimited opportunities in the heath field arena for advancement and the best thing of all — it is emotionally rewarding, knowing what we do CAN make a difference in someone’s life.; There will always be a need for the healthcare field, especially with the advance technology of today resulting in an increase in the elderly population.

Joanne B. DeNicola

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: Professionally, a nursing career provides limitless opportunities, with the added advantages of portability and adjustable working schedules.; Personally, as the cleft palate nurse for the Northeast Florida Cleft Palate Team for twenty-two years, I’ve enjoyed a multi-faceted role as the inter-institutional consultant, educator, liaison, and care coordinator. Our “Newborn Outreach Program” started as “on-call” assistance for families and developed into newborn consultations to all hospitals to provide cleft assessment, information, and feeding instruction for families and staff. It has been very rewarding to work with the 16-member multi-specialty team of experts, who provide care to these children from birth to adulthood and share their successes.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My elementary school nurse who was knowledgeable and supportive inspired me.
What trends to you see in healthcare?: Advanced practice nurses will increasingly become primary healthcare providers for children and adults.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Volunteering, shadowing providers, and working in health related areas would be helpful in decision-making and when applying to healthcare educational programs.

Doreen A. Donohue

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: That daily I can make an impact on the lives of patients and staff
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I became a candy striper at age 14 and was hooked.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My Aunt Mary Murphy and my Godmother Patricia Nappi
What trends do you see for healthcare?: How we deliver care at the bedside is going to have to change to address not only the decrease in nursing resources but also the increase in patient acuity.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: You HAVE to love it and you can do ANYTHING you want.

Dorothy S. “Dottie” Dorion

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: As a nurse for 50 years, I have had the opportunity to utilize my training in many different venues: teaching, hospital, camp, Visiting Nurse, Red Cross Instructor, Hospice, Volunteers in Medicine “Qualifier”, as a passerby witnessing and responding to an emergency, caring for a husband, 4 children and now grandchildren. That makes my nursing a lifetime of joy. The immediate comfort and professional assistance I can render is extremely rewarding.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: From the time I was a child I cared for injured animals and played “nurse” in my little outfit while my twin brother played “doctor”.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My Aunt was a nurse and since I admired her greatly she did inspire me to pursue nursing.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: I see trends in healthcare as becoming more technologically based as well as the variety of healthcare providers increasing. In addition to more specialization I think there will be significant benefit from emphasizing prevention rather than waiting for rehab, managing pain or a cure. The whole system needs fixed and I believe those changes will be forthcoming.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: For a person considering a career in medicine, he or she must still have passion for medicine and the healing sciences. It will continue to be one of the most employable fields with a huge variety of opportunities to select from.

Katherine Flowers

I have always wanted to be a nurse. I can remember dressing up in a "candy-striped" uniform as a little girl every time someone in my family became ill. I would check on them, bring them water, sit at their bedsides until they recovered. During high school, I volunteered at St. Vincent's in their summer volunteer program. I worked summers there for 2-3 years. I helped on a medical-surgical unit and the nurses on that unit were very encouraging to me regarding my dreams to become a nurse.

My favorite part of nursing is caring for critically ill patients. My present position doesn't give me very much opportunity for bedside care, but those few days every month remind me of why I became a nurse. I love planning, coordinating, and providing care for critically ill patients and their families. It is so rewarding to see these patients meet small goals each shift and then larger ones as they progress to discharge from the CCC. My major responsibility in my present position is staff development and that too is rewarding, but nothing compares to the job satisfaction I receive at the bedside of the patient. I have often presented nursing as a career at my child's elementary school's career day. I have had several boys very interested in nursing. I think nursing is a GREAT career choice. As a nurse, you have so many different paths you can take that it can serve as a rewarding, challenging career for a lifetime. I do think it is important for bedside nurses to be compassionate caregivers, always putting the patient first.

Nursing is a thankless job that you yourself have to see your accomplishments, not everyday will you get a "thank-you" from your patients/families, or a "good job" from the physicians you work with or your supervisor, but you needs to commonly give yourself that "pat-on-the-back" for a job well done. Health care is ever evolving, I think faster now that 17 years ago when I became a nurse. I foresee safer patient care and better, more consistent patient outcomes in the future due to evidence based practice, regulatory agencies and CORE measures. As much as many of us dread our surveys, I do think care has been improved globally.

Mary Ellen Frey

How long have you been a nurse?: I have been a Registered Nurse for 40 years.
What is your current position and what are your responsibilities?: Vice President of Clinical Operations/Chief Nursing Officer for ATS Health Services; Overall clinical quality and fiscal responsibility of the clinical arena
Why did you choose nursing as a career?: A love of humanity
What do you find the most rewarding aspect of your job?: Versatility. Everyday brings new challenges, new adventures and new rewards

Any interview with Wanda Gibbons

How long have you been a nurse?: Since 1980… 27 years
What is your current position/role?: I'm the CNO for St. Vincent's HealthCare and have responsibility for nursing care throughout St. Vincent's.
What made you decide to become a nurse?: The summer after graduation from high school. I was hospitalized for a few days and came to better understand and appreciate the important role of a nurse. So, when I started college in the fall, I selected nursing as my major.
What is the best part of your job?: Two things. The first is receiving unsolicited compliment letters from patients and their family members about the outstanding nursing care they received. The second is all of the great nurses I get to work with each and every day to improve patient outcomes.

Jill Henderson

What do I enjoy about being a nurse?: As a Nurse Educator I love seeing the moments of discovery as a student puts the nursing process to work and makes good decisions about the care he or she will provide. I love knowing that a student knows "the right answers" to my questions, but even more so, I love it when they "ask the right questions." The teaching or facilitating that I do brings me the most joy as a nurse.
When did I decide to enter the healthcare field?: I was sixteen and was invited to observe a delivery by a friend's father who was a GP. My friend and I watched 2 deliveries and I knew at that moment that I wanted to that L&D nurse someday. As it turned out, my nursing career took a different path from obstetrics and eventually led me to teaching.
Who inspired you?: I have an aunt who was an old time spit and polish nurse and she helped me get into a good nursing school and was very supportive. My dad helped me out financially and made this all possible, so he was an inspiration as well.
Trends in healthcare?: I see nurses being more and more involved in all areas of healthcare and having a voice to promote themselves and to advocate for better patient care. We have been too silent for too long and need to be an instrument for change and improved patient care. We have more power than we think.
Advice for wannabe nurses?: Don't bother doing this if you are just in it for the money. This job requires a "servant's heart" to do patient care. You will never make enough money in this job for the work you do if don't have a true love of people. If you love your patients, this is the most rewarding job in the world.

Jean Herman

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: The thing I enjoy most about being a nurse is the constant interaction amongst staff, patients and families. Being able to make a difference in someone’s day is most rewarding.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I decided with my high school guidance counselor that health care was in my future.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: My high school guidance counselor guided me into the nursing profession. I once was given a tee shirt that said “Nursing I didn’t chose it, It chose me.” I believe this to be true.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: Healthcare has the electronic age to look forward to. Electronics will aid healthcare to provide safer and more efficient healthcare, keeping with the Patient Safety Goals.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: It is a wonderful career to be involved in. There is great flexibility, and Opportunities in this field. Communication is key in this ever, ever growing field.

Palma Iacovitti

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: It’s consistently challenging! You learn something new all the time.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: My mother was diagnosed w/Hodgkin’s when I was 8 and when I was old enough to go to the hospital w/her and support her during her treatments, I knew then that I wanted to go into healthcare. I looked up to those nurses’s taking care of my mom. They made her better and I wanted to have the same healing hands.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: I can’t recall anyone who inspired me but my mom encouraged me.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: That’s a loaded question. If you are referring to how I see trends for nursing — well, unless RNs come together as a united front, those new graduates won’t have any one to mentor them.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in medicine?: Go into medicine for the right reason. Don’t make it about the money — make it about caring for those who need your healing hands. If it isn’t in your heart, patients will feel it.

Teresita Jocson

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: As a Wound Care Nurse, I enjoy the challenges that I encounter while I am on my daily rounds. Such challenges would be finding solutions or alternative measures in helping the patient with their problems, whether big or small, no matter how difficult the task. I can also help alleviate the patients' fears or worries by educating them with treatments and goals, hoping they will get better.; Also, I enjoy being an advocate for the patients, by making sure the patient comes first.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: I decided on a career in nursing thirty-four years ago, when I realized that there are many rewards to fulfill my life, as well as my family. These rewards come both spiritually and financially.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: Inspiration of becoming a nurse came from my parents. They said I would have many opportunities in the nursing fields, which I could apply on a daily basis through life. Nursing would also find opportunities throughout the world, resulting in my coming from the Philippines to the United States.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: The trends in healthcare that I have observed would be people becoming more health conscious. They are becoming more concerned with preventive measures in regards to dieting, exercise, and health education by way of the internet.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: If a young person is interested in a career in the medical field, I would encourage them in achieving a degree in nursing. With this education, they are opened up to various specialties associated with nursing. Also, they will be able to further their knowledge and become successful, as well as competitive to any other profession.

Pam Marsden

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?: The opportunity to walk with people on their journey to better health.
When did you decide that you wanted a career in healthcare?: About 20 years ago I felt like I was at a crossroads in my life and I had always cared about the health and well-being of others so nursing seemed like a perfect fit.
Is there someone who inspired you to become a nurse?: I think the positive experience of being a Candy Striper at age 15 may have inspired me later on in my life to become a nurse.
What trends do you see for healthcare?: With the aging of our population, the rising number of uninsured individuals and the growing prevalence of chronic disease, I see an urgent need for more health promotion, illness prevention and maintenance activities in healthcare.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be considering a career in nursing?: Whenever I am faced with a decision, I start by gathering as much information as possible, next I talk to people who I think may have some insight into my decision and finally I pray about it, and so far this has worked for me. I would also suggest volunteering in the area of interest to really get a feel for any career a person may be considering.