Chasing Faraway Dreams

One nurse who juggled travel nursing and raising her 2 young children while prepping for CRNA school

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses, for nurses. This week, a nurse shares her tale of perseverance while being a new grad ICU nurse during the peak of the COVID pandemic, then a travel nurse, all in preparation for her dream of attending CRNA school. We also cover some abrupt changes made to preventative health policy by new HHS secretary RFK Jr. as well as a passion project of two teens to support cancer research.

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Nurse Spotlight: Lea Smith RN, BSN, CCRN, CCRN-P

What I do for work

I’m a pediatric CVICU nurse, working PRN while attending school full-time to become a CRNA. In my current role, I care for critically ill patients ranging from neonates to adults following complex heart surgeries. I manage patients on advanced life support, including ECMO, and provide highly specialized care during critical recovery periods.

How I got here

I always knew I wanted to become a CRNA, but it often felt more like a dream than a realistic goal. During my BSN program, I got involved in nursing organizations both at my university and statewide to do everything I could to make myself a strong future CRNA applicant. I began work as a new grad nurse during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing me to "grow up" quickly in my profession. The CRNAs who stepped up to support ICU staffing during this crisis made a lasting impression on me and I admired their calm leadership and advanced skills.

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More on Lea Smith

A day in my life

I begin my fast-paced shift with a morning huddle and patient report. Occasionally, I’m assigned to work a highly involved case, communicating with the patient’s family while following them from pre-op to post-op. When they’re in surgery, I set up my room with suction, oxygen, and code drugs. I prime my arterial and central lines, and all necessary infusions ready to transition from the anesthesia and CVOR team. The post-op care varies significantly based on the type of surgery, whether they return intubated, extubated, or with an open chest. It requires vigilance, rapid thinking, and teamwork, and it's a part of the job I truly value.

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

I’m grateful to live in a place close to the beach in our new home. Even though I miss hiking in the mountains on the West Coast, I’ve come to really enjoy beach days with my family, or simply lying by the pool with a good book in hand. My husband and I love looking for the best local coffee spots or spending an afternoon wandering through a bookstore. It’s those small rituals that help me feel refreshed and balanced, even during the busiest seasons of life and after shifts that can be emotionally intense.

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Headlines in Healthcare

Meeting Cancelled

Last week, RFK Jr. made a last-minute cancelation to a U.S. Preventative Services Task Force meeting. The task force is an independent, volunteer group of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine which sets recommendations for cancer screenings, STI testing and other preventive care. The advisory group has shared concerns for the future integrity of the team following the recent and abrupt push in reshaping these agencies.

Misleading Full Approval

The FDA claimed to grant full approval to Moderna's pediatric COVID vaccine, however, experts claim this is misleading. The recent decision actually excludes most children in the U.S. by limiting approval only to children 6 months and older who have certain high-risk medical conditions. Experts criticize these limitations and state they ignore that very young children are considered one of the populations most likely to need hospitalization for COVID infection and that preventing their access to vaccines could be detrimental to their health.

Bike Rides For Treatment

Two teen siblings raised $620K for cancer research in just 7 weeks, while one was battling leukemia himself. Cedar Connell’s approach to his cancer treatment later inspired “3 for 31,” a fundraiser that challenges participants to exercise three miles a day for 31 days to raise awareness for blood cancer patients and research.

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

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