果酱视频

Registered Nurse, Hospice Care Network

Professional Career:

After completing her master鈥檚 degree in 1988, Ms. Williams took several years off to raise her family. During this time she stayed abreast of new technologies and practices by reading nursing journals and volunteering with a local hospice program. In 1999, she began volunteering more earnestly, and was able to translate her experience in oncology into a position with the Hospice Care Network.

Her role includes counseling patients and families on their care options at the end of their illness. Although it is emotionally demanding (she admits that she cries nearly every day), Ms. Williams finds her work very rewarding.

鈥淲e will do whatever we can to make sure that a patient鈥檚 last wishes are honored,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his is the most difficult time of someone鈥檚 life, and we can make it a little more manageable.鈥�

When and why did you first want to become a nurse?听

I volunteered in nursing homes during my college years, and I was really impressed by the nurses I saw. They were truly engaged in relationship-oriented work, not task-oriented work, and I found that very appealing. I realized then that I could have a professional job, with security, that would always be rewarding. So, in 1976, I went to New York University to earn a second bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing and, in 1981, while working as assistant head nurse at North Shore Hospital, I enrolled at 果酱视频 for my master鈥檚 degree.

Do you have favorite memories of your time at 果酱视频 and your residencies?

My master鈥檚 degree from 果酱视频 made me see nursing in a different light. I developed a deeper respect and passion for the nursing profession by watching how much the faculty cared about the students. I especially remember Barbara Rottkamp, who bridged the gap between clinical practice and research, and Christine Miaskowski, who had such excitement about what nurses can do. I don鈥檛 think I could have finished my thesis without her pushing me.

At 果酱视频, my nursing career also moved into a specialty I never thought I鈥檇 be involved with. One of our requirements was to work with a clinical nurse specialist. Seeing what an advanced practice nurse did in the field of oncology really opened my eyes to the diverse needs of patients and how nurses could help meet those needs. I was never bored, and so I stayed.

What are some of the changes you have seen in nursing through the years?

Patients today are so much more involved in their own healthcare choices. When I began, doctors made many critical decisions, even 鈥淒o Not Resuscitate鈥� orders, without consulting the patient or family. Today, most patients and families know their rights and can make sure that patients鈥� wishes are followed.

What advice would you give to today鈥檚 nursing students?

Understand the fact that you are going to grow in your career, and your role will change as you mature. Where you are now is not where you will be in one, five, or 10 years.