2020 Year of the Nurse at UC Davis Health
The World Health Organization, in honor of the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and was an opportunity to celebrate nurses and how they impact health care at all levels.
The Year of the Nurse blog is dedicated to the hard working nurses here at UC Davis Health. Listen to each podcast delving into the work life and accomplishments of each featured nurse.
Listen to their stories
Facilitating people’s moments
Toby shares a story about a couple he cared for who taught him that the role of the nurse is not just medical help, but helping people through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
It’s always being there for others
Jonathan recounts a powerful moment that taught him how important it is to be present for both his patients and his coworkers and that sometimes, it’s not about saving a life.
It takes curiosity
On her way to being an advanced nurse practitioner, Lori reminisces about the first time she presented her research at the NIH.
It’s a little bit of everything
Rebecca, whose daughter recently became a nurse, talks about her legacy of nursing and how nursing is more than science: it’s the whole package.
It’s what I wanted to do
After an accident changed her and her husband’s life, Sarah knew that nursing was where she was meant to be.
It’s real work
As a nurse leader in the MSICU, Gina talks about how COVID-19 has made people see that nurses are more than what they have traditionally been portrayed as.
Never judge a book by it’s cover
Stacey recounts an incredibly powerful experience with a patient and her family, who reminded her that people aren’t always what they seem.
Sharing the skills
As a preceptor in the MSICU, Josh knows how important it is to both teach and be willing to ask questions of his new nurses.
The impact you have
A labor and delivery nurse, Brandi loves celebrating birthdays everyday and reminding moms and dads that what they are experiencing is normal and that “they’ve got this.”
More ways to connect
As one of the leaders of Reigniting the Spirit of Care, Erin talks about the importance of these programs to help nurses stay close to their motivation to be a nurse.
A revolving door
Christine, an inpatient GI nurse, talks about how exciting it is to see people learn more about her field and the thrill of teaching.
We’re the eyes and ears
Jennifer talks about how the role of the nurse has evolved and how they are a critical component of patient care.
You just do the job
Erin reflects on how the MSICU, over the last year, learned to take on pediatric patients and then transformed into the COVID unit.
You have to see the heart
A nurse passionate about self care, Michael talks about how nurses have to take care of themselves if they are going to be able to take care of other people.
Give people their moment
Natasha talks about the situation that led to her receiving a DAISY Award and why this patient and their family resonated so much with her.
It’s the bond with people
Susan discusses how bonding with people both makes her want to retire and makes her show up every single day.
You involve everyone
After seeing her brother receive stellar care, Natalie reflects on what made the nurses so special.
Inspired to make change
From humble beginnings, Calene discusses how she was inspired to go to nursing school when she was a nanny for an oncologist.
No day is the same
ER nurse Jeremy has been a lifelong learner and teacher and loves that everyday in the ER allows him to learn something new.
Keep on smiling
A nurse passionate about bedside nursing, Ada talks about the legacy she hopes she leaves with both patients and colleagues.
The guiding light
Kiki talks about how challenging yet rewarding it is to work with families and their children to navigate a cancer diagnosis and guide them through the treatment process.
Be that constant
As an oncology nurse navigator, Carol talks about how important it is to build trust with your patients and to give them and yourself lots of grace as you navigate new situations together.
For the bigger picture
As one of the first Black male nurse managers at UC Davis Health, Darrell talks about how pushes from his coworkers encouraged him to step into an unknown role and create space for others to do the same.
Teenagers are the best
A veteran nurse of over 30 years, Cindy talks about her time with teenagers who had cystic fibrosis and the shenanigans that they used to get in that brought her joy.
No crying in the command center
Carla reflects back on what it felt like to open the command center in response to the arrival of the first community transmitted COVID-19 patient and how ready yet terrified she felt for this moment.
Calm in controlled chaos
Christine took a chance in her career and signed up for the flight nurse program, where she learned the power of connection and trust.
My legacy is the people
As a hiring manager for many years, Joleen discusses how her legacy is all the nurses she helped hire, who make UC Davis Health a great place for care.
Let them know how much you care
Judie tells two amazing stories that transformed her nursing practice and showed her how to look at the person as a whole, not just as a task.
It’s every patient
Ellen talks about how watching colleagues in their primary nursing roles inspired her and showed her the big hearts that nurses have.
You can’t give from an empty tank
Yolanda reflects on how, as a new manager, training and support made her feel like she could fill her own tank so that she could be there for her staff.
It’s about giving back
As the Clinical Director of Oncology Services and Regulatory Compliance at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lourdes works every day to give patients a chance.
I was the bridge
An unbelievable opportunity allowed Kristine to be a bridge between two sisters who hadn’t seen each other in 10 years and who were willing to share stem cells to save one of them.
I’ve been in parents shoes
As a mother herself, Monica knows what it is like to be a parent of the children she works with in her clinic.
It’s something you are born with
Nadine, a labor and delivery nurse, knows that nursing was not just a career choice, but who she was meant to be.
It’s never too late to find your passion
It took more than ten years for Sandie to become a nurse, but every moment was worth it to be in a career in that she loves.
Death impacts everyone
Hillary shares how she became passionate about end-of-life, not only to support patients, but to support nurses as they handle these touching and tough experiences.
NICU is in no one’s birth plan
As a former NICU baby and now NICU nurse, Rachel talks about her love of the NICU, including being a primary nursing advocate and nurse who tries to give parents a little control in an unexpected situation.
Forming connections in outpatient
As an outpatient nurse, Diana discusses how she loves seeing her patients consistently and forming long-term relationships with them.
Building allies
As the founder of the Capitol City Black Nurses Association, Carter seeks to bring more Black nurses into both the health system and in to roles where they could advocate for change.
Learning to dance in the rain
Megan describes how one small act of kindness to brighten up a patient’s day changed the outlook for both she and the patient.
It’s about giving people firsts
As a former NICU baby, Haley works with every parent to help them experience everything they can with their NICU babies as she knows the outlook can change in an instant.
Being there when I couldn’t before
Through the experience of losing her father to cancer, Andrea experienced a desire to switch careers in nursing to help others through their cancer journeys.
The rain never felt so good
When she became incredibly ill, Virpal experienced firsthand the impact that nurses like her have on patients and how to treat patients with more than medicine.
Here in the tough times
As a new nurse, Andrea knew she was going to be in healthcare from an early age and nursing became a perfect fit.
Learning from every patient
As a nurse who sees a lot of psych patients, Cassi works hard to support each one when they are in her care.
It’s the little moments
Sally shares how she was reminded that, especially in nursing, the little moments remind nurses that their human-focused care makes a difference.
Seeing patients as people
Julie recalls a patient experience that taught her that no matter the situation, every person has a soft spot and has personal needs and if you can make a connection, your care can change their life.
You’re not on your own
As a new nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf shares his experience caring for patients in the ICU, seeing them struggle, and working with his preceptor to make a difference.
Worth the wait
After numerous degrees and many years of school, Crissi describes how becoming a nurse finally fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Nursing, it's a great career
A multi-generational legacy, Heather explains that she tried not to listen to her call to be nurse, but when she answered, it was the best gift she could have received.
Representation matters
Aron believes that in order to provide culturally competent care, nurses have to represent their community and it's his mission to bring more diverse nurses into the profession.
It's okay to talk about death
Michelle shares how watching another nurse be with a dying patient helped teach her that she can handle talking to patients and providers about how patients would like to die.
Care based on respect
Like many nurses, Rodrigo wants his patients to know that he has given them care with dignity and respect.
Inspiration can come at anytime
Theresa says that during the AIDS epidemic, the nurses on the frontlines shaped and inspired her to be the nurse she is today.
Giving power to the patient
Kelly describes how she learned that patients are at their most vulnerable in the hospital and how nurses can give them their power to speak up.
It’s all in our family
Ann, a second generation nurse, and her daughter Rachel, a third generation nurse, share what it means to be the living legacy of nursing in their family.
You never have to go it alone
Melissa, a veteran nurse with over 40 years of experience, was shown firsthand how important it is for nurses to walk side-by-side, especially during the hardest moments.
Working to change the narrative
Al describes how nursing school opened his eyes to the health disparities in the African American community and inspired him to change.
It’s about the whole family
For Bertha, being a nurse means you work with the whole family and lead with compassion.
It only takes a moment
Alexandria, a nurse in the Emergency Department, talks about how building a relationship with her patient and resident on shift changed her perspective on nursing.
Telling our story in our voice
Chief Nursing Officer Toby describes why this project was important to him and what he hopes these stories will demonstrate.