Real Nurses. Real Stories.
#appreciateyournurse
Cindy K, RN
Surgery in Westlake, CA
At this point I can say I'm an expert at operating room nursing.
Q: What made you want to become a nurse?
A: When I was in high school I was a real-life candy striper. I already knew I wanted to care for people and help people. I liked the knowledge that the nurses had, the science part and the skills, and I wanted to learn that.
Q: What experience in your career has had the biggest impact on you?
A:The surprise of going in for a routine procedure with a healthy person and then finding out during surgery it's actually cancer. That it wasn't what we all thought it was, and it's a serious problem. It makes a big impact because you just never know, and you learn to always be prepared for everything.
Q: Since you're such an industry veteran, what advice do you have for new nurses?
A: Work hard, be humble. Never think you know it all! Remember to always be calm because your patients are vulnerable and scared, and sometimes fear comes out as anger. Stay calm in any situation and everything will be better.
Q: What was or still is the most important goal you hope to accomplish as a nurse?
A: When I went into nursing the biggest goal- and I think I have accomplished it- is to develop an expertise at something, and my area of expertise is the operating room, so I have become an expert there. I can go into any facility anywhere and do a good job. I'm very proud of that, and I think that's the goal I wanted.
Q: What's the one item in your wardrobe you can't live without?
A: One item that I can't live without is my compression socks! They make the difference for me being able to stand up again on my feet at the end of the day.
Q: What scrubs are you wearing right now and how do they feel?
A: I'm wearing Healing Hands HH360° and they're beautiful material, really comfortable and stretchy. They'll be really great to wear all day long!
