I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a nurse. My family is the most important thing in my life, providing me with an endless source of love and joy. Being a nurse, however, is as much a part of who I am as being a wife, a mother and a grandmother. Being a nurse gives me an identity that cannot, after all these years, be separated from the other parts of me. I am a nurse.
I did not begin my nursing education and career immediately after graduating from High School. I was advised by my physician, an Ear, Nose, Throat speicalist, that I would be "wasting my time" going to nursing school because of my severe bilateral hearing loss. Though I had been hard-of-hearing since childhood, I had never allowed my hearing deficit to hold me back. However, because my physician advised me to think about an alternative career choice, I did delay going to nursing school, and though my nursing journey has been a long one, it has been personally rewarding and professionally gratifying every step of the way.
I tested the waters of nursing by first working as a certified nursing assistant. I needed to know for myself how much my hearing deficit would affect my ability to perform basic nursing duties. Though my hearing did create some challenges, I worked hard to overcome the challenges and went on to graduate first in my class from Shapero School of Nursing Licensed Practical Nurse program. I considered that role my introduction to nursing.
Right about the time I was thinking about enrolling in an Associate Degree nursing program, my husband decided he wanted to move to Alaska. Therefore, I spent the next few years attending an external nursing Associate Degree program that required a bit of travel, but allowed me to earn an Associate Degree without disrupting the thirteen wonderful years living out an adventure on a very rural Island in Alaska. It was in Alaska, while working at Ketchikan General Hospital, that I became a certified infusion nurse and learned to love oncology nursing. The obvious next step in my career was to get a Bachelor's degree, which I did shortly after moving back home to Michigan. Earning my Bachelor's Degree in nursing (Magna Cum Laude) was a crowning achievement for me and the fact that I am now in a Master's Program, is a huge source of pride for me.
I know, without a doubt, that my experience coming up "through the ranks" has influenced my nursing leadership philosophy and has given me insight that has served me well in my career. I have spent most of my nursing career in supervisory/management positions and currently as Director of Cancer services. Though I wear other "hats" as well, my role as the Director of Cancer services is my primary focus and my passion.
My five year goal is that I will complete this Masters Program and become a more knowledgeable nursing leader. Along the way I will remain a strong nursing advocate by incorporating what I learn into my practice. I would also like to realize the achievement of seeing our Cancer Services Program being integrated into one comprehensive regional cancer center under one roof. Actualizing that plan will be a professional milestone for me.
My ten year goal is to slow down a little and maybe teach a beginning nursing class at a community college.
Thereafter, I hope to retire gracefully, and use my nursing skills perhaps helping to raise my future great- grandchildren.
I did not begin my nursing education and career immediately after graduating from High School. I was advised by my physician, an Ear, Nose, Throat speicalist, that I would be "wasting my time" going to nursing school because of my severe bilateral hearing loss. Though I had been hard-of-hearing since childhood, I had never allowed my hearing deficit to hold me back. However, because my physician advised me to think about an alternative career choice, I did delay going to nursing school, and though my nursing journey has been a long one, it has been personally rewarding and professionally gratifying every step of the way.
I tested the waters of nursing by first working as a certified nursing assistant. I needed to know for myself how much my hearing deficit would affect my ability to perform basic nursing duties. Though my hearing did create some challenges, I worked hard to overcome the challenges and went on to graduate first in my class from Shapero School of Nursing Licensed Practical Nurse program. I considered that role my introduction to nursing.
Right about the time I was thinking about enrolling in an Associate Degree nursing program, my husband decided he wanted to move to Alaska. Therefore, I spent the next few years attending an external nursing Associate Degree program that required a bit of travel, but allowed me to earn an Associate Degree without disrupting the thirteen wonderful years living out an adventure on a very rural Island in Alaska. It was in Alaska, while working at Ketchikan General Hospital, that I became a certified infusion nurse and learned to love oncology nursing. The obvious next step in my career was to get a Bachelor's degree, which I did shortly after moving back home to Michigan. Earning my Bachelor's Degree in nursing (Magna Cum Laude) was a crowning achievement for me and the fact that I am now in a Master's Program, is a huge source of pride for me.
I know, without a doubt, that my experience coming up "through the ranks" has influenced my nursing leadership philosophy and has given me insight that has served me well in my career. I have spent most of my nursing career in supervisory/management positions and currently as Director of Cancer services. Though I wear other "hats" as well, my role as the Director of Cancer services is my primary focus and my passion.
My five year goal is that I will complete this Masters Program and become a more knowledgeable nursing leader. Along the way I will remain a strong nursing advocate by incorporating what I learn into my practice. I would also like to realize the achievement of seeing our Cancer Services Program being integrated into one comprehensive regional cancer center under one roof. Actualizing that plan will be a professional milestone for me.
My ten year goal is to slow down a little and maybe teach a beginning nursing class at a community college.
Thereafter, I hope to retire gracefully, and use my nursing skills perhaps helping to raise my future great- grandchildren.
