ChathamU Nurses Celebrate Nurses Week
At the onset of Nurses Week we shared some of Pulse@ChathamU’s nursing greatest hits. Now, at the close, we’re sharing the perspectives of some of our nursing faculty: Associate Professor of Nursing, Chad Rittle, DNP, MPH, RN, FAAOHN; Assistant Professor and Practice Experience Coordinator of Chatham’s nursing programs, Jennifer Wasco, DNP, RN; Professor of Nursing, Kathleen Spadaro, PhD, PMHCNS, RN; and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Marilu Piotrowski, PhD, MSN, RN. Below, this group of Chatham nurses and nurse educators recount some of the most rewarding aspects of the nursing career while describing ways we can better support the nurses in our lives and communities. Read on for their thoughtful insights—
Kathleen Spadaro
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a nurse who teaches other nurses?
Jennifer Wasco: The most rewarding aspect of being a nurse educator is my unique engagement with every Chatham nursing student enrolled in the graduate programs. These interactions are because of my position as the practice experience coordinator—I am responsible for arranging on-site experiences during their time in the program. In this role, I find I am one of the first people they connect with to learn more about their future journey. I continue to learn from them; with each conversation, I learn something new, which is priceless.
Kathleen Spadaro: Helping patients work through or learn to deal with their problems and mentoring colleagues. As an educator, it is the mutual learning process. I teach doctoral level nursing students how to think abstractly and learn to improve patient care through evidence-based practice strategies. They teach me about their clinical specialities which helps keeps me up to date.
Chad Rittle: The most rewarding part of teaching is helping to mold the formation of nurses who are totally involved in a life-long learning profession.
How do you celebrate Nurses Week?
JW: Unfortunately, with COVID-19, the ability to celebrate in person with my colleagues is still not optimal. I plan to do something special virtually for each of my teammates, but I cannot tell you now because it will ruin the surprise!
KS: [Having] gratitude for a rewarding and lasting profession and for my peers and mentors over the years.
Jen Wasco
Marilu Piotrowski
“Nursing, as a career choice, has been a gift personally and professionally for which I am most grateful. Few disciplines offer the variety of work and opportunities. Nursing encompasses direct patient care in medical, surgical, critical care, mental health, female health, pediatric to geriatric, public health, and advanced roles as a practitioner, educator, and administrator. In addition, nurses work various shifts which can be beneficial with personal/family circumstances during one’s career.
I have particularly loved serving as a nurse educator for many years with undergraduate and graduate students. It has enabled my own growth and shared perspectives [with me] from many healthcare practice settings. A quote from Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing: “So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.”
Last month at an area COVID-19 vaccine clinic, the vaccinator was one of my prior pre-licensure nursing students that I taught injections 25 years ago! It was totally random and unexpected. The profession of Nursing has reaped many more benefits than service provided. It is understandable the reason the “Year of the Nurse 2020” has extended to 2021. Kudos to all nurses locally, nationally, and internationally.”
— Marilu Piotrowski
Chad Rittle
How can we celebrate and honor the nurses in our lives after this difficult year?
JW: No matter what role we are in, this past year has been exhausting. The first nurse we need to honor is ourselves. We became nurses to take care of others, but often we forget to take care of ourselves. I am trying to do more self-care lately!
KS: Show appreciation for all that nurses do and all that they have had to sacrifice to continue to care for others. Some companies have given discounts or free offerings, that is a nice way to show appreciation.
CR: Recognize nurses for the work they do, not all have the same experiences.
What’s something nurses would like to hear or see more of from their communities?
JW: Personally, I would like to see fewer people offended by mask mandates. It is only together that we can stop the pandemic through basic precautions such as masks, handwashing, distancing, and vaccinations.
KS: Acknowledgement of nurses' service to their community and communities taking responsibility for their health and healthcare.
Happy Nurses Week to all the brave, committed, and compassionated caregivers that have helped our communities through this pandemic! Click here to learn more about nursing programs at Chatham.
