This Hospice Nurse Is On Call For 63 Hours Straight From emergency medication requests to supporting families after a loved one's death, Sarah Balcom helps ensure hospice patients receive compassionate care around the clock. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, hospice nurse Sarah Balcom shares what it's like to work a 63-hour on-call weekend, supporting patients and families through some of life's most difficult moments. We also look at...
5 days ago • 2 min read
This OR Nurse Found Her Calling Teaching The Next Generation Kimberly Wade started nursing later in life and discovered a passion for the operating room. Now, she helps new nurses and surgical staff build the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, clinical educator Kimberly Wade shares how an unexpected opportunity in the operating room led to a career teaching and mentoring surgical staff. We...
7 days ago • 2 min read
This Nurse Found A New Career Path After COVID Burnout After starting her nursing career on a trauma floor that became a COVID unit, Kelly Salutregui found a more sustainable role in outpatient infusion nursing. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, infusion nurse Kelly Salutregui shares how burnout during the pandemic nearly drove her away from nursing, and how a career change helped her rediscover what she loves about patient care. We...
12 days ago • 2 min read
From Body Piercer To Nurse Manager: This Nurse's Unexpected Career Path After a career that took her through bedside nursing, perioperative care, and nursing informatics, Hillary Stamps now leads a team of approximately 80 staff members. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, nurse manager Hillary Stamps shares her unconventional path from professional body piercer to leading a 30-bed progressive care unit, and why helping her staff grow is...
14 days ago • 2 min read
From Dental Assistant To Trauma ICU Nurse After 11 years working in dentistry, Kayla Parker pursued nursing while raising a young child. Today, she cares for critically ill patients at a Level I trauma center and helps train the next generation of nurses. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, surgical trauma ICU nurse Kayla Parker shares how she transitioned from an 11-year career in dentistry to caring for critically ill patients, and why...
19 days ago • 2 min read
This Nurse Took A Chance On Nursing And Found Her Calling In The NICU Jackie Contreras switched from a math major to nursing without knowing what to expect. A clinical internship introduced her to neonatal intensive care, and she never looked back. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, NICU nurse Jackie Contreras shares how an unexpected switch from mathematics to nursing led her to caring for critically ill newborns. We also explore why...
21 days ago • 2 min read
This Oncology Nurse Finds Joy In Helping Patients Through Their Hardest Days From chemotherapy and surgical recovery to end-of-life care, Ashley Engles focuses on building relationships and bringing comfort to patients and their families. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, oncology nurse Ashley Engles shares what makes caring for cancer patients and their families so rewarding. We also cover new research linking for-profit hospitals to...
26 days ago • 2 min read
This Nurse Found Her Way Back After Burnout After an understaffed transplant unit left her burned out, Andrea Noble found a healthier work environment that helped her reconnect with what she loves about nursing. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, med-surg nurse Andrea Noble reflects on 10 years as an RN and how leaving an understaffed unit helped her rediscover what she loves about nursing. We also look at healthcare's outsized role in...
28 days ago • 2 min read
This Nurse Found Her Calling In The Operating Room Lisa Myers started college studying computer accounting, but a switch to nursing eventually led to a career in the OR and a leadership role in gynecological surgery. Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, OR nurse Lisa Myers shares how she went from studying computer accounting to leading a surgical team specializing in women's health. We also look at how hospitals are rethinking...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read