Introducing the CareerStaff Clinicians of the Month for December 2021: Marisa, Trinity, and Kimberly! Join us in celebrating and thanking these incredible clinical workers who are proud members of the CareerStaff network.
To all the nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other essential professionals working hard to provide care during this difficult time. As always, you are appreciated!
CareerStaff Clinicians of the Month for December 2021
Meet Marisa
A clinician for 16 years, Marisa realized she was destined to be in healthcare after giving birth in 2001.
“The nurses on the Labor and Delivery unit were so smart and I was blown away by how much they did before the M.D. even came into the room,” she tells us. “I always liked helping people but I felt particularly pulled in the direction of being a nurse.”
Throughout her time as a clinician, Marisa is most proud of her accomplishments in working in addiction services and mental health.
“I have helped open facilities and put policies and procedures in place due to my knowledge of medications and how detox units work and run,” she says. “I have dedicated my hard work and time to it because I am very passionate about it.”
A dedicated caregiver, Marisa finds inspiration in being able to help her patients.
“The most inspirational thing about working in healthcare is seeing someone get better,” she tells us. “In the oncology unit where I worked, you would see a patient diagnosed with cancer, go through chemotherapy and get in remission after knowing them for a whole year or more and became close with their families. I also worked in addiction services and you would see a client come in hopeless and sick and come to treatment over and over again, then finally get into recovery and be doing well after a year or more. Living life again, smiling, getting their children back. They always come back and thank you for helping them and being so grateful for your care. It’s the best thing about being a nurse to me, especially when you lose so many to see some get better is everything!”
Having joined the CareerStaff family a few months ago, she’s been working as a school nurse and enjoying it. “I have never been a school nurse before and it’s definitely a different pace for me,” she says. “I’m enjoying the new role and am coming to learn that it’s a very important position at the school.”
During her time working as a school nurse, Marisa says her favorite memory is helping a young student with a sore throat.
“One student had a sore throat and I looked in his throat and saw white spots and told him he needed to go get his throat looked at by a doctor or NP. He asked me ‘I took a Flintstone vitamin once; does that help?’ We bursted out laughing,” she recalls. “The students are so funny and silly!”
4 Quick Questions:
What’s the hardest part of your day? “The hardest part of my job is seeing anyone struggling either financially, mentally, or emotionally and feeling like they think they have no help.”
What’s your favorite memory about being a clinician? “My favorite memory as a nurse was when I was working in a nursing home. There was a little lady that I was very fond of. The night nurses would tell me I spoiled her because I would sit with her during the day and talk to her and hold her hand. She was so scared all the time and just wanted someone to hold her hand. All the night nurses said she would call for me all night and that I spoiled her. I just enjoyed talking to her and caring for her. She was one of those patients I will never forget.”
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the day-to-day life of the working clinician over the past 10 years? “The biggest change I’ve seen in the day-to-day life of clinicians over the last 10 years is how respected nurses have become. In the community when people find out I’m a nurse they are so thankful, especially since Covid, people are so grateful for us. I get ‘thank you for all that you do’ greetings and that is very humbling.”
Is there anything you’ve learned over the course of your career that you think young healthcare professionals should know? “Over the course of my career, I think I would tell other clinicians to listen to their patients. Treat each of them how you would want your mother, brother or child to be treated. People just want to know you care, so I would tell them to listen and pay attention.”
Meet Trinity
Trinity has known for a long time that she was destined for a career in healthcare.
“Since I was little. I don’t remember exactly when but I’ve always had a passion for helping people through healthcare.”
As a Certified Nursing Assistant for nearly three years, she recently joined the CareerStaff network this year and has really enjoyed her time working with the staff. “Since day one the staff has been amazing and in constant communication with me,” she tells us. “They are the best and have shown me they really care about me and my career.”
A dedicated caregiver, Trinity tells us that she finds the most inspirational part about working in healthcare is the difference that can be made. “The impact you make in people’s lives. A simple smile and showing you care makes a difference.”
Her caring demeanor and her ability to connect with her patients play a large part in one of her favorite memories during her time as a clinician.
“I always tried to connect with the patients,” she tells us. “I remember having a conversation with a resident at the adult family home I used to work at, and we talked about what his favorite food was. He told me what it was, and I looked it up and found a recipe. It seemed like something I could do so I made it for dinner one day and he loved it! He was so happy he said he hadn’t had it in a while. It wasn’t the best because I’m not the best cook, but he really appreciated it and I was so happy to be able to do that for him. His wife loved it, too.”
4 Quick Questions:
What’s the best part of your day? “I would have to say the beginning of my shift. I’m always happy to see them (patients) and ready to have a good day.”
What’s the hardest part of your day? “The hardest part for me is when multiple people need help at the same time. I always feel bad when they have to wait for me for a bit.”
What’s the personal accomplishment of which you’re most proud? “Coming out of my shell and gaining confidence. I don’t think I would be where I’m at right now without it. I’ve built relationships, friendships and met new people that I don’t think I would have ever met if I would have just stayed in my shell. I’ve been working on it for so many years and I still have a long way to go, but I am more confident now than I was 10 years ago that’s for sure.”
Is there anything you’ve learned over the course of your career that you think young healthcare professionals should know? “I would say to have patience and put yourself in their shoes. Treat them how you would like to be treated.”
Meet Kimberly
Like Trinity and Marisa, Kimberly has always known that she was destined for a career in healthcare.
Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for 20 years, Kimberly recently joined the CareerStaff family this year and has been enjoying it.
Kind and caring, Kimberly tells us her favorite part of being a clinician is “taking care of others” and seeing the difference that can be made by helping her patients.
Knowing that she and other healthcare professionals alike can make a difference in the lives of their patients is what she finds most inspirational about working in healthcare. Kimberly tells us it is important to be kind and have patience, because “sometimes we are all the residents have.”
The compassion and care she has for her patients are also shared with her feelings about the healthcare industry. Throughout her time in healthcare, Kimberly has seen plenty of change over the last ten years in the day-to-day life of a clinician with seeing different people come and go, but that doesn’t stop her from remaining positive. She tells us the best part of her day is “seeing a smile” from a patient.
4 Quick Questions:
What’s the hardest part of your day? “The hardest part is when we lose someone.”
What’s the personal accomplishment of which you’re most proud? “Being able to help my patients and take care of them.”
What’s your favorite memory about working with CareerStaff? “The staff have been very friendly and on time.”
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the day-to-day life of the working clinician over the past 10 years? “Seeing different people come and go.”
Interested in joining professionals like Marisa, Trinity, and Kimberly in America’s leading recruitment network for nurses and clinicians? We always have amazing job opportunities across the country! Learn more about the benefits of working with CareerStaff, or start searching for a new job now.