A big part of who I am is being a nurse. My nursing philosophy is one of the guiding forces in my life. I was called to be a nurse shortly after high school. I started as a gift shop cashier at WakeMed. I first studied to become a CNA and had the privilege of being hired in the ED. I continued to work and study and made my way to LPN and finally, RN. At WakeMed, I've had access to con-ed classes. While some are required, I sign up for many - simply to learn! I enjoy being a nurse and therefore participate in committees such as Hospital Stroke Committee, Quality Nurse Council, Magnet Committee, and Unit Council. I served as Unit Council Chair for my previous department - the Adult Emergency Department. I'm also an active member in the local chapter of the NC ENA. Through my working experience and extracurricular participation, I've come to realize two conclusions regarding exactly what my nursing philosophy is:

​

1. The role of the nurse is to provide compassionate care to assist in healing to anyone who needs help.

2. I am passionate about impacting nursing through the lens of compassionate care.

​

These points lead me to describe my career goals. My immediate career goal is to become a nurse leader. I have served as preceptor and mentor for new graduate nurses. Recently, a coworker reminded me of something I once told her. WakeMed is sometimes considered the county hospital and often receives patients of low economic status. Sometimes, I hear my coworkers complain about our clientele. At some point, I said to this coworker, that for whatever reason, these people are coming to us for the care we provide. For some of these people, it is because we are the only place they can reach. For some people, it may be due to financial reasons that they cannot afford the plan of care and our job is to provide for each of them the most excellent level of care. I said to my coworker that it does not matter what the situation might be, each patient is coming to us because they need something from us and it is our job to take care of them.

This was a deeply meaningful moment to me. There is satisfaction in knowing you helped a patient or save a life. However, there is profound gratification in knowing that I influenced another to deliver compassionate care. This moment and several others have led me to pursue a leadership position with WakeMed.

WakeMed's approach to patient care is "best minds and biggest hearts". These are qualities that align with my personal nursing theory and that I live out with each patient under my care.

I desire to offer my experience, knowledge and nursing philosophy to recharge, inform, and encourage others. Serving in a leadership position would allow me to impart knowledge and have a compounding influence that would empower others to provide genuine care.

​