Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Casey King, RN is a determined deaf nurse at Ohio State Medical Center

 

Alayna DeMartini, staff writer, at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center reported this story.

“Although she’s been deaf all her life, King reads lips well. She, her interpreter and sometimes her co-workers wear face masks that have clear plastic around the mouth so King can still read their lips. Her digital stethoscope connects via Bluetooth to her cochlear implant, which lets her hear her patient’s heartbeat.”

“When she was in college and considering careers, King shadowed a deaf doctor. She was intrigued with the profession, but she wanted to spend all her time taking care of people. Nursing seemed a better fit.”

“One of her role models growing up was a family friend who was a lawyer and also deaf. If he could be successful in a job that required a lot of communication, why couldn’t she, she figured.”

“Being admitted to the nursing program at Capital University in Bexley, where she grew up, King knew she’d have to work hard — harder than many of her classmates — to finish the degree and go on in the field.”

Eventually, King plans to return to school to become a nurse practitioner and work at a family practice that serves primarily deaf people.

She’s hoping more deaf people join her in the medical field. She wants them to know that being deaf, even profoundly deaf, doesn’t have to limit their career choices. It hasn’t limited hers.

Read more about this trailblazing nurse at:

Determination leads deaf nurse to role in the ICU | Ohio State Health & Discovery (osu.edu)

Cheers!

Donna

 

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Personal experiences managing sickle cell disease inspire nurse to become a CRNA

 
Bria Sharp, right, student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the UT Health Science Center College of Nursing, decided to pursue nursing after her own experience managing sickle cell disease. Her mother, Assistant Professor Jackie Sharp, DNP, APRN, PMHNP, left, said she was excited when Bria decided to become a nurse.

Leigh Ann Roman rported this story for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. 

“I always knew I wanted to go into health care after my early experiences with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They were my primary providers for my first 18 years and provided a great model for me to follow,” she said. “Not only did they provide excellent care, but they also taught me about my disease and how to manage it.” These experiences are what led to Bria developing her desire to pursue nursing.

Despite her chronic condition, Bria has chosen a very challenging path in nursing. She is in the middle of a rigorous, full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in nurse anesthesiology at the UTHSC College of Nursing. Bria earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from the college in 2019. It was in this program that Bria was first introduced to nurse anesthesiology. “I had a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist (CRNA) who took us under her wing for our clinical day in the OR. We could tell her role was complex and interesting, and this is where my interest began.”

Read more about Bria Sharp at:

https://news.uthsc.edu/nursing-students-experience-as-patient-inspires-her-journey-to-become-a-crna/

Cheers!

Donna

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

A rare form of dwarfism and renal failure didn't stop Rachael Johnson, RN

 

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union reported the following on their Facebook page.

QNMU member and RN Rachael Johnson has a rare form of dwarfism and was diagnosed with renal failure at a young age. She shares her inspiring story with us on International Day of People with Disability - Australia.

"I spent four years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant when I was seven years old.

Because of this experience I knew I wanted to become a nurse and repay the people who had made such a difference to my life.

However, things weren’t plain sailing. I was belittled by nursing facilitators and repeatedly told that a nursing course was not suitable for me and I should “go and find something you can do”.

But my desire to become a nurse held strong. I worked tirelessly and qualified as a paediatric nurse in 2009.

I may not be able to reach the top shelf in the store cupboard, but I can empathise fully with the patients in my care.

I am living proof that you should never let anyone stop you from fulfilling your dreams."


Cheers!

Donna