I have been a nurse for 40 years and 36 years has been that of a surgical nurse.This however, was not my initial desire as a young high school graduate. I had my sights set high on being a creative hair stylist and paid my tuition to “beauty school”. My parents had higher hopes for me and literally led me by the hand to the admissions office of a local college and enrolled me in the nursing program. I can look back now and realize how fullfiling this career has been on life. I have had many mentors throughout the years that have inspired me both professionally and spritually. I have molded my professional career to emulate what I felt would make me a great patient advocate, a leader with compassion,and a role model for the “newbees” just coming into this profession.
My most memorable time in surgery was spent working with Michael DeBakey, in Houston Texas training for open heart surgery. Words can’t describe seeing this amazing surgery for the first time. I knew then that I was hooked and being a surgical nurse was my destiny.

Janice, Jacksonville Florida; USA
40yrs