Position/Where:
Nurse Navigator/Clinician at Christian Hospital
Career Highlights:
Worked within the BJC system for almost 13 years, as a PCA, clerical associate, team leader and nursing supervisor; the first nurse navigator at Christian that works with patients who have all different types of cancer
Awards:
High Performer Award – presently quarterly to staff members whom go beyond the call of duty
Education:
Currently enrolled at University of Phoenix, RN to BSN program
St Louis Community College at Forest Park, Associates degree in Nursing
Personal:
Married with an infant son
Coordinates speakers for the monthly Beyond Breast Cancer Support group
St. Louis Connection:
 I attended Gateway Institute of Technology in St Louis, MO
Journey to success:
My journey to success includes always having faith. One has to believe in herself in order to be successful. My overall goal as a nurse is to make a difference in someone’s life. As a nurse navigator, I am instrumental in advocating for the patient by helping to break down barriers to care and ensuring that the patient receives the support and knowledge needed to navigate the health care system. Working with patients who have cancer can come with many challenges and frustrations. However, I am up to the challenge everyday. I often laugh with the patient, as well as cry with them. I am so blessed to be able to work with a patient from the beginning of their cancer diagnosis all the way out to survivorship. Everyone’s journey with cancer does not always have a happy ending. Nonetheless, I have been there, right by their side. I have seen the patient take their last breath and I have been there to comfort the family afterwards. No matter what the circumstances may be, I am there for my patients, always.
It is important to have support from people in my life personally and professionally. I owe a lot of my success to my family and my husband. They have always been by my side no matter what. Professionally, Christian has offered my many opportunities to advance my nursing career. Going further in my career, my goal is to become a nurse practitioner and continue to work with the patient that has cancer. I will continue to be an advocate for the patient.
