14 | CFHN centralfloridahealthnews.com Called to Care CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 How has nursing changed you? It has helped me realize that every life is valuable, and that waking up each day is truly a gift. What’s something people misunderstand about your job? People sometimes think we just pass medications, but we are often the first to recognize subtle changes in a patient’s condition that may indicate deterioration. What is the most rewarding part of being a nurse? Being a beacon of light for my patients and doing something that makes their day better. At the end of the day, I know I’ve made a difference when …my patients feel seen, safe, and heard, and I was able to advocate for them in a meaningful way. JOHN VAN FLEET, REGISTERED NURSE, STAFFING RESOURCE DEPARTMENT, LAKELAND REGIONAL HEALTH What is a moment that reminded you why you became a nurse? There are so many. One that stands out is work- ing with a patient whose family wrote a review that eventually resulted in a Daisy Award. I try to do my best to make every patient feel as comfortable as possible. How has nursing changed you? It is rewarding, gives me a huge purpose in life, and I am excited to come to work every day knowing I am going to help someone. What’s something people misunderstand about your job? Nurses are highly skilled and are required to make many decisions, often on the fly, that can drastically change the overall outcome of a patient’s health. Additionally, many people are shocked to hear that I am a nurse, as many people think of nurses only as females. There are many highly qualified and ex- ceptional male nurses. What is the most rewarding part of being a nurse? I get to leave every day knowing I helped someone. Seeing smiles from patients that get to go home with a lifestyle change, or just overall feeling better, is a great feeling. At the end of the day, I know I’ve made a difference when … I see the change in my patients at the end of my shift. Caring and educating them has helped them be more comfortable and calmer. ASHLEE EVANS, SENIOR REGISTERED NURSE, WATSON CLINIC URGENT CARE MAIN How has nursing changed you? Nursing has definitely taught me that I am capable of more than I realized. This field has pushed me to grow into someone who can take charge of critical situations and be a leader, manage complex situ- ations, think critically, and stay grounded through overwhelming times all while still showing kindness and compassion to patients. What’s something people misunderstand about your job? People see the “caring” part of our job, but not the emotional stamina it takes. We constantly absorb grief, fear, anger, trauma, confusion, and even the positive emotions from patients, and we are ex- pected to stay calm, therapeutic, and supportive through it all. It is harder than most people think. What is the most rewarding part of being a nurse? When patients tell me how much the care I gave meant to them. Simply hearing how thankful some- one is means the world to me. At the end of the day, I know I’ve made a dif- ference when … someone leaves my care feeling safer, heard, or more comfortable than when they arrived, even if that change was small. Seen & Heard Ashlee is very caring and compassionate. She has been a great asset to our team and the organization. She makes patients feel very comfortable in her presence and has a calming effect. We are all very proud of her accomplishments. — Dr. Rajendra Sawh, Watson Clinic Urgent Care Main Awesome team player. Always willing to help. — Julian Rios, APRN – Watson Clinic Urgent Care Main Ashlee is a wonderful, caring nurse who brings calm to anxious situations and is an integral member of our team. This tribute could not be more deserved! — Dr. Richard Dudrak – Watson Clinic Urgent Care Main CRISTEL COLE, REGISTERED NURSE, WATSON CLINIC MAIN What is a moment that reminded you why you became a nurse? I recently had a patient involved in a very serious accident and we were able to get them assistance and stabilize them with minimal intervention so they were not compromised. Incredibly, they sur- vived with minimal deficits. How has nursing changed you? Nursing has taught me to be an incredibly patient human being and to have keen attention to the smallest details. Patients are often too ill or experi- encing something so overwhelming they can’t al- ways tell you a full history. I have learned to become acutely tuned into every aspect of my patients’ care. What is the most rewarding part of being a nurse? Saving lives! I mostly work now in preventive non-invasive cardiovascular testing. I am also part of our “Blue Team” or rapid response team in our Main location for any patient or person who needs medical assistance. Knowing that I had a part in their journey, found the problem and got the patient to the next level of care with positive outcomes is in- credibly rewarding. Seen & Heard Cristel Cole is a dedicated and compassionate nurse whose impact extends far beyond her daily responsibilities. She has worked in the Cardiology department at Watson Clinic for the past four years initially hired to respond to medical emergencies and then moved into performing diagnostic JOHN VAN FLEET ASHLEE EVANS CRISTEL COLE SARA HUDSON
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