Full Circle Calling
This nurse shares her story of becoming a charge nurse on the psychiatric floor she was admitted to as a teenager
Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week one nurse shares about how she gives back to community by working as a certified addiction nurse after her own struggles with addiction as a teenager. We also discuss recent outbreaks of listeria and infant botulism as well as a new enamel-growing gel for teeth.
But first, you know the feeling!
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Nurse Spotlight: Susanna Marrs, RN, CARN
What I do for work
I’ve been a behavioral health nurse for 25 years and more recently became certified as an addiction nurse over the past four years. I am one of only 24 substance use disorder nurses in the state of Illinois. Working in addiction services has always been my focus, as I am also a recovering addict. It’s important for me to give back and use my experience as an asset to help others by providing a safe and understanding space. Right now, I work in an adult residential substance abuse center where patients stay anywhere from 28–35 days. I’m in my second year here and can easily say that I absolutely love my job—it’s the best nursing job I’ve ever had.
How I got here
I first became interested in nursing when I was 19 years old and caring for a sick baby. I always knew I wanted to be a psychiatric nurse, but working on a medical-surgical floor at first was mandatory. After I transitioned into psychiatric nursing, I eventually became a charge nurse at the same facility where my parents admitted me as a teenager for struggles I experienced after being adopted. I truly feel like there was so much divine intervention in my life that I often can’t even put it into words. I have indescribable gratitude for where I am now because there was a time I believed I wouldn’t even be alive, let alone a nurse certified in helping others with addiction.
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More on Susanna
A day in my life
At my facility, I have my own office and handle the bulk of intake and admissions. At first, I didn’t think I would like doing so many admissions, but I found that I’m efficient at it and that I enjoy meeting patients on the worst/best day of their life—after they’ve made a huge decision to change their trajectory. Patients might come from jail, homeless encampments, or have HIV/AIDS, and I like being their first point of contact because I understand how the stigma around addiction can affect the way society treats them. I’m glad I can be there to treat them like the human individuals they are.
My self-care routine (or what I do for fun or to relax)
I love being home with my pets. My dog, Daisy, who is diabetic and blind, has been my emotional support animal, even though she doesn’t know it. I later got a cat for my dog so she wouldn’t be home alone. I also enjoy spending time with my son or lying on my couch while watching a true crime series or Lost. After long workdays, I like to come home, light candles, set the Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom with smooth jazz, make some sleepy-time tea, and take a bubble bath. This is one of my favorite self-care routines, especially in the winter months. During warmer weather, I go for long walks outside to get some early morning light without devices.
Share your story & be entered to win
As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.
Headlines in Healthcare
Infant botulism outbreak
The company ByHeart issued a recall of two lots of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula after 13 infants across 10 states were diagnosed infant botulism and hospitalized, the CDC reports. The CDC and FDA are investigating the outbreak and have confirmed that all affected infants consumed ByHeart's powdered formula
Listeria outbreak
A multi-state listeria outbreak has killed 6 people and sickened at list 27 more after exposure from ready-to-eat pasta sold at store including Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe's. The CDC reports these numbers only reflect known cases and likely are much lower than the number of people sick. Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes and is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women. Symptoms include: Fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, diarrhea, GI upset, or miscarriage.
Tooth gel to grow enamel
According to New Atlas, researchers invented a groundbreaking gel that can regenerate tooth enamel within weeks and potentially prevent cavities. The gel forms a layer over the teeth and then recruits calcium and phosphate ions from saliva to build new enamel. An estimated 3.7 billion people worldwide have some form of oral disease, with the erosion of enamel as a massive contributor. Previously thought impossible, this research developed a gel to not only strengthen enamel but newly generate it as well.
Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)
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