"Plastic Surgery Nursing... A Profession and A Passion." What does this mean to you as a member of ASPSN? For me, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my career in Plastic Surgery Nursing. I am fortunate to have worked in many different areas in the field. I have worked in a university system in the operating room, participated in medical mission trips on numerous occasions, and have been instrumental in assisting in the process of developing a plastic surgery program in a community hospital that never had a plastic surgeon, a position that was demanding, exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. Presently, I am in a cosmetic practice.
I have been involved in ASPSN since early in my career, the nurses whom I met in those early years... Cynthia Nowicki, Ginnie Finnie, Terri Goodman, Joyce Black, Alice Davis, and Dottie Henderson, to name just a few.... I marveled at their knowledge, their expertise, just their very presence... I was in awe!!! Would I, could I ever achieve that? This society is rich in wisdom. The friendships that are developed, the sharing of information in this society is invaluable!!! Everyone is willing to share his or her "Pearls of Practice." Whenever a nurse in this society is in a bind, not sure of a protocol, not sure how to handle a problem, or just wanting an ear...just pick up the phone and call or text an ASPSN friend and you will get help. I remember the day, years ago when Dr. Mixter (my boss) asked me, "when are you going to start giving back? You have an incredible amount of knowledge to share with your society; it's time you start giving back." Well that started me down the road of involvement.... I started doing presentations, but not alone, doing a panel presentation seemed less threatening so that's how I started, sharing my information as a presenter on a panel, then it was time to challenge myself and get up there and talk on my own and then promising myself that I would present every year. Little did I realize that it would take me to being the President of the society.
I can't imagine anything better than being a plastic surgery nurse. Yes, we all have frustrating days...but I love what I do. Having the privilege to care for a patient having breast reconstruction, a child with a craniofacial anomaly, a terrified patient in an emergency situation who just lost a hand, and the team is attempting a reattachment, and now, yes the challenge of meeting the expectations of a loving or demanding or frightened cosmetic patient. They all need hand holding, encouragement, and a calm warm smile that reassures them and their family that they will receive the best care on earth. They need to know they are in not only good hands but great hands. It's heartwarming to hear a patient say, you don't know how much you mean to me, thank you for taking care of me, thank you for holding my hand, thank you for keeping me relaxed. My initial thought is: "I'm doing my job, I'm doing what anyone would be doing" and then I realize that I am giving them more, it is the passion for being a nurse, and it's what I do. Yes, some days are long and hard and I can't wait to get home, but then there is that "warm fuzzy" and it makes everything worth the long hours... I hope all of you feel that passion, that love for what you do, let's go out there with passion for our profession in our hearts, souls, and every fiber of our being.
I hope that I can inspire, teach, and share my passion for nursing as well as the society with you like Dottie, Alice, and many others have done for me. I am honored to be the President of ASPSN and I look forward to working with this incredible board to continue moving our society forward, increase our membership, continue to provide educational content to meet all of our members' needs at conventions, through webinars, or local/regional venues.
One person with a passion is better than 40 people merely interested.
E. M. Forster