The profession of nursing has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire. We often see generations of caregivers running through family trees and social ties, leading to a sharing of expertise handed down from yesterday’s seasoned healers to the nurses serving today. The tradition of helping those in need comes with a sense of pride in a job both needed and purposeful. As a tribute to those who have dedicated their careers to our health system, we invited new Parkview nurses, Amanda Warner, RN, nurse lead, 2 South - Neuro Progressive & Acute Care, Parkview Regional Medical Center, and Ashlie Skinner, RN, BSN, Inpatient Oncology, as well as proud Parkview nursing alumni Lorie Shultz, to share their thoughts on the field and their path to serving.
What motivated you to choose nursing as a career?
Amanda: I had been a certified nursing aide (CNA) and a qualified medication aide (QMA) before I decided to go to nursing school. It took a while before I made up my mind to further my education in healthcare. The deciding factor was when patients at the nursing home told me I should be a nurse because I was personable with them.
Ashlie: I always thought I wanted to go into nursing, but my own emergency surgery when I was a junior in high school solidified my pursuit of nursing. The nursing staff I had inspired and motivated me to become someone just like them.
What were the most challenging and exciting parts of nursing school?
Amanda: I had been out of school for ten years before going back for my RN. Getting back into a school schedule and doing homework was extremely challenging while working full-time. The most exciting part was graduating and passing the NCLEX, and proving it was still possible.
Ashlie: The most challenging part of nursing school was managing your time between studying, working and having a personal life. I often forgot to care for myself during my four years of school, being very busy with school and work. The most exciting thing was the experiences I had with patients. Interacting with different patients on different floors was a great way for me to be exposed to various patient scenarios. I also love all the friends I made! They become your second family.
What are you hoping to achieve in your career as a nurse?
Amanda: My ultimate goal is to get my PhD and be a research nurse. I love learning new practices and understanding what is going on with patients. Until then, I like improving my skills, and if I don't understand something, I investigate, ask questions and learn.
Ashlie: There are so many things I am looking forward to about being a nurse. I discovered my love for oncology just six months into my nursing career, and I can’t wait to continue to expand my knowledge in this field. I love learning new things every day and I am excited to continue to learn more about the ever-changing world of oncology.
What is your “why”?
Amanda: I love research and want to improve patients' quality of life. As technology changes and new things are discovered about the body, research and practices need to change as well. No matter what, there's always something to learn.
Ashlie: My why is the experiences and care I can provide for my patients. Oncology is such a special field, and our patients require a whole different level of care. Being the best support I can be for my patients is why I love what I do. The people I meet, advocate for and cry with are my why.
Parkview Nursing alumni
What motivated you to become a nurse?
Lorie: Parkview seems to have always been a part of me. I was born at Parkview. I was a candy striper, team helper, etc. My love for nursing came from my mom, Jenean Gibbons. She graduated from Parkview School of Nursing in 1958 and worked at Parkview for 40-plus years. Once she saw her dream of Parkview becoming a verified Trauma Center, she retired in 2000 as the Director of Trauma. I can remember hanging on to her hand as a little girl when she came to the ER to collect her paycheck. I could hear and see the excitement of the ER. I saw her commitment, dedication and fulfillment throughout her career. I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I loved to help people as a young girl. I feel blessed to have pursued a career that felt more like a calling!
What was your nursing school experience like?
Lorie: I loved Parkview's nursing program. It was so valuable to go from the classroom to the clinical setting. I also formed good friendships that are still an important part of my life today.
What was the biggest change in the practice of nursing during your career?
Lorie: For me, I feel that the initiation of the computerized charting system was a huge change.
What was the most memorable experience of your career?
Lorie: There are too many to count! I do believe, though, that an accumulation of experiences helped me on my journey as a Christian. I watched people who were faced with adversity who had God in their lives and those who did not. The difference was life-changing for me.
What is your biggest piece of advice for new nurses?
Lorie: To treat patients and their families like they are your own. To be an advocate for them. It is a privilege to step into their journeys, to help, learn from and be blessed by that.
Was there anything you wish you’d done differently?
Lorie: I wish I had taken better care of myself along the way. I now know self-care is as important as caring for others.
Join our team
You can learn more about Nursing at Parkview, including available positions and education by visiting us at parkview.com/careers/nursing.
