Where Science Meets Slow Living

Backyard gardening & run clubs by day, delivering newborn babies by night

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, one labor and delivery nurse shares how a winding path—from biochemistry to biotech to bedside—led her to a role she loves. We also cover the U.S.’s worst measles outbreak in decades and the rise of temporary healthcare staffing across hospitals nationwide.

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Nurse Spotlight: Di Pham RN, BSN

What I do for work

I am a labor and delivery nurse at a high risk hospital that handles a lot of patients with co-morbidities or babies with congenital heart defects and other complications. Unlike other facilities, we specialize in just L&D rather than rotating through postpartum and OR as well.

How I got here

Initially I thought I would go to dental school, so I got a Bachelors in Biochemistry and later a Masters in Biomedical Science while working odd jobs to prep for the program. I eventually decided the demands of dental school weren’t for me and began a career in biotech, but wasn’t satisfied. Because I had several nurses in my family, I looked into nursing programs, found an accelerated BSN and got in! Afterwards, I worked briefly as an RN on a surgical-acute floor while applying to specialties that interested me. After 6 months, I was accepted to a new graduate residency in labor and delivery and that's how I ended up at my current job.

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More on Di Pham

A day in my life

Our work days vary quite a bit depending on what kind of patient we get. When we get an early laboring patient it can be very hands-off because they're able to move around and do their own thing while we place induction agents and are monitoring the baby. Towards the end of labor, we are much more hands-on by intervening as necessary for a fetal distress or to help the labor progress offering forms of induction or augmentation. Later, we help at delivery and afterwards, we are in charge of both the mother's and the baby’s recovery in the first two hours of life.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

For exercise I like to bike and I just joined a run club. I really enjoy being outside gardening and taking care of my chickens. Because all my degrees and work life have been science based, I like to use my free time to be creative. I knit, sew and quilt and have recently taken up stain glass work. I generally enjoy living a slow lifestyle at home where I cook, read and listen to vinyl records to relax and unwind.

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Headlines in Healthcare

Measles is back—and spreading fast

The U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with 1,288 cases reported so far—and six months still left in the year. Texas has been hit especially hard, with hundreds of cases tied to low vaccination rates in a single West Texas county. Health officials point to growing vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and political rhetoric, as a major factor. Though the MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, falling immunization rates are leaving more children—and entire communities—vulnerable to a virus that was once nearly eliminated.

Temporary healthcare staffing is on the rise

The global healthcare staffing market is booming, projected to grow from $36.9 billion in 2022 to $62.8 billion by 2030. Driving the surge: rising demand for flexible roles like travel nursing, per diem shifts, and locum tenens placements. Hospitals, facing staffing shortages and budget constraints, now rely more heavily on temporary workers—especially in North America, which accounts for the majority of market revenue. Technology and telehealth advancements are also shaping new roles, while professionals seek better work-life balance and broader career exposure. With hospitals still leading staffing demand, this trend shows no signs of slowing.

Filipino nurses can now care for U.S. patients remotely

Filipino nurses are now caring for U.S. patients remotely through a new virtual nursing program based in Quezon City. The program—launched by Worldwide Resource Solutions—offers full-time roles in virtual patient monitoring and remote nursing support, helping U.S. hospitals fill critical staffing gaps. Nurses gain exposure to U.S. healthcare systems, competitive benefits, and career development—all while staying close to home. It’s a first-of-its-kind model that could reshape how global healthcare staffing works.

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Meet the author:
​Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN, Nurse & Health Writer)

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