Get to know your nurses – part V

health enews continues our salute to nurses with part V of our week-long Q&A series.

In honor of National Nurses Week (May 6-12), we asked some esteemed caregivers to share their thoughts on the profession. Here’s what they had to say:

Q: Do you have a fascinating, surprising or funny nursing school memory? 

“There are many, but the one that stands out is when I had to give my first bed bath to a young male patient as a student nurse. He was a victim of a motorcycle crash, and I kept envisioning a super bad dude. I was very nervous to enter his room to obtain a history and physical on him. Turned out that he was just as nervous as I was! He was in a lot of pain and was almost in tears when I had to roll him. I had to call on another student nurse to help, and together we used laughter–great amounts of laughter–to bathe and distract him. He was laughing so hard that he no longer had any fear or further pain. He had a great bath and we learned a valuable lesson–you can’t judge a book by its cover.” – Karen Pisarski, RN CVRN, Advocate Christ Medical Center

Karen Pisarski

Q: How did you find your calling as a nurse? 

“My nurse after I had my son years ago was absolutely amazing. She was so caring and compassionate and made me feel like she was someone I had known for years. She was truly an inspiration and the first real reason I chose nursing. Did I mention she was an Advocate nurse and works at LGH?” – Jennifer Aversano, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

“I did not know what I wanted to do, but all the high school surveys indicated I should work with people. I arranged to do a job shadow following a RN. I loved my day and came home to let my parents know I wanted to be a RN. Their response was, ‘we know.'” – Jess Krusenoski, RN-BS, Advocate Good Samaritan Memorial Hospital

Q: How can someone become his/her nurse’s favorite patient? 

“I have found the patients I really enjoy taking care of were those who allowed me to see a little into their life. They might share some personal stories or invite me to meet their families. Over the years, my patients have taught me so many things about culture, history and life. This position has shaped my personal life, and has taught me to be truly grateful for what I have.” – Phil Dietrich, Assistant Clinical Manager, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

“Laugh and joke! We love those patients!” – Kimberly Ernst, MCO, Advocate Christ Medical Center

Q: What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

“I find being able to make my patients more confident about their health to be the most rewarding part of being a nurse. I love being able to empower my patients with knowledge about their condition or plan of care. When I see that light bulb go off for my patients that makes them able to be more comfortable and confident in the care they are receiving, it gives me the chills!” – Alex Santoro, BSN RN, Advocate Sherman Hospital

Q: For someone who might be thinking about becoming a nurse, what would you tell them? 

“Nursing is about making a difference to a patient or their family members. Empathy is key.” – Cathy Towers, BSN, Advocate Heart Institute