Alexis Yanoff, RN, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU)
" I now see that the idea of nursing “care” has many layers of meaning, and each is important. “Care” means knowing and providing the clinical skill necessary for each patient’s illness. It also means understanding that each patient is a person with emotional needs and a network that sustains her or him—family, friends, and medical caregivers--which also require perceptive care, including advocacy. By enlarging my understanding of a “caring nurse,” my STICU patients, their loved ones, and co-workers have helped me to grow as a person. Because of them, I am a more aware and “deeper” human being. They have enriched my own humanity, and I will be forever in their debt."
Laura Teal, RN, Coronary Critical Care Unit (CCU)
" In my short seven months since graduating from nursing school and beginning my work as a registered nurse, I have learned more than I thought possible in such a short period of time. I can’t say that every day has been easy, but despite any challenges that I have faced, the experiences I have had over last seven months have shown me that I really have chosen the best path for myself by becoming a nurse. Additionally, I have experienced first-hand how the everyday aspects of nursing have the power to enrich my life and the lives of so many others."
Sharon Mckant, RN, Psychiatry Medical Care Unit
" To the children who maybe considering nursing as a career and are currently standing still in the shadows, I urge you to move forward. While nursing is demanding, it can also be extremely rewarding. I often experience a gamut of emotions while serving the patients who are under my care.
I can be a teacher, a confidant, a counselor, and a comedian. A career in nursing is a career that can offer limitless opportunities such as: various career options, flexible scheduling, and financial stability. As a nursing professional, I continue to feel honored to be the recipient to this journey.
To touch the lives of others in such a valuable way is an honor that I would not trade for any other profession."
Mary Malitas, CRNP, Cardiology
"The Humanity of Nursing is the “human side of Nursing.” It enriches your daily living with a feeling of growth and well being in the knowledge that you have made a difference. It describes the crucial link I play for the patient, family and the medical collaborators as a contributor of care in an individual’s life. Patients give back to me far more that I give to them. Their experiences and history tell a story, almost like a legend of their life thus far. This information, I use as building blocks for my career, to help me enhance my interactions with those to follow. We have cried together as important decisions are made and laughed at the relief of good news from a test result."
Terese Metzger, RN, Operating Room
"My coworkers are the inspiration, as somewhat representative of the nursing philosophy which drives our daily practice. In the high tech, low touch, task oriented, impersonal, and cold (both literally & figuratively) environment of the operating room we strive daily to share a few quality moments with our patients. We compete constantly with surgeons and anesthesia providers for our patients’ time in an effort to touch their lives, allay their fears, and reassure them that behind those masks there is truly someone there to advocate for their safety and comfort. In our hurried environment we are only able to steal a few moments before entering the operating room, maybe a few more once they arrive before they are put to sleep. I only hope that our patients take with them the knowledge that the warm blankets that we provide upon entering the operating room, and the handholding during anesthesia induction are representative of our desire to intimately touch their lives. I sincerely want to applaud those unsung heroes behind the masks."
Dinae’ Nugent, RN, Cardiology Unit
"Nurses at Hahnemann are given autonomy to provide competent and safe patient care, they are held accountable for their actions and they are given the freedom to voice their own opinions and values. The families of patient’s are just as important and are included in the patient’s care. The quality of patient care is measured using satisfaction scores given by the patients themselves. Hospital and unit based committees were created to include a shared governance model. Hahnemann doesn’t stop at just giving patient care but extends its open arms to the community. Community programs include but not limited to Childbirth Preparation classes and donating food through Phil abundance. Different units on the floors contribute to community outreach such as when 20NT adopted a family for Christmas giving an abundance of gifts to a large, not so fortunate family."
Carol Mantoni, RN, BSN, CCRN
"Nursing is so rewarding to know that I have assisted patients in healing, and sometimes been there for their last moments on earth. I have talked with thousands of patients and families during their worst times, attempting to help to ease their pain, give them hope, or just be there for them, during my 22 year career here at Hahnemann. Most of all, I tell them, I am proud and honored to be a nurse."