SUSAN'S STORY

What inspired you to enter the nursing profession?

My Dad suffered a heart attack when I was in middle school and required angioplasty shortly thereafter. It was during this difficult time in my family's life that the spark was lit for my future nursing career. I was inspired and amazed by the collaborative team effort that went into caring for my Dad. The actions and words of this group of nurses, doctors, and others not only changed my Dad's life, but every member of my family and our circle of friends. It was then that I decided I wanted to be a part of the healthcare team.

It wasn't difficult to decide what position on the team I wanted to take, Nursing is in my blood as I am a third generation registered nurse. I was surrounded by the healthcare field growing up, and had many opportunities to see the diversity of the profession, which strengthened my decision to become a nurse. I was also very fortunate to always have tremendous support and guidance in making my career decision.

What has kept you at CHOC?

Joining the nursing team at CHOC at Mission was an easy decision to make based on CHOC's reputation in the nursing community. I felt right at home in the NICU and warmly welcomed as a part of the team. Working with babies is the best job in the world. Working with their parents and families makes it the most rewarding job.

What keeps me here is the smile on a parent's face as they hold their baby for the first time. This overwhelming joy is magnified when they unite as a family on discharge day and enter the world grinning ear to ear. The only thing that tops that is the pure satisfaction of knowing we've done a good job when our families visit us, from time to time, to continue to share their lives with us.