I guess you could say it is in my blood to be in healthcare. I grew up with a dad who was an EMT/firefighter, and at an early age found myself studying his circa-1980s EMT training books, scrutinizing every trauma photo and how to treat it. Fast forward to high school, and I became a volunteer at The Christ Hospital. I think I probably still have that 1991 cranberry scrub outfit! I eventually made my way through nursing school at the University of Kentucky and found myself studying those old EMS books again. My mom did have to make a rule that there was no talking shop when at the dinner table. That rule still holds today!
After nursing school, I worked at different telemetry and intensive care units, and even joined a local fire department. I was looking for the right fit. When I found myself back at The Christ Hospital, in the emergency department, I really felt at home. Desiring to continue doing more for people, I went back to school, obtained my master's degree, and started practicing as Nurse Practitioner.
I learned a significant amount in my time working in pulmonary/allergy, orthopedics, and finally internal medicine. A story comes to mind from that time, about a patient I had just met. I did an EKG it showed she was having a heart attack. I sent her to the emergency department, even though she was worried about the cost. I saw her back in the office after she was released and the first thing she did was hug and thank me. That was one of those moments that reinforced for me that I am in exactly the right career I'm meant to be in!
After the birth of my first child in 2008, I took a job back at The Christ Hospital and haven't looked back. I see people at their worst and hold hands with grieving families, but I also receive hugs from people who have made a wonderful recovery, and get to provide a familiar face to those who just can't seem to catch a break from chronic disease.
Remember when I mentioned it was probably in my blood to wind up in healthcare? I always knew that my great grandmother was a nurse, but I didn't learn where until later in my adult life. When my grandfather passed away, my grandmother gave me his mother's nursing textbook. It turned out to be from The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences! Years ago, the nursing school sat in the back of the hospital, where our Heart Center sits on our campus today. I am so pleased to have photos of her in front of the school with her classmates, and even some with the candlesticks they would use at night.
It would seem my bloodline theory may be real!
Did you know that Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) include nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and physician assistants? Learn more about APPs at The Christ Hospital Health Network.