I have always been interested in medicine and health promotion ,even before my decision to pursue a nursing career. Throughout my life, I was drawn to taking care of people, especially the elderly, and I used to fulfill this passion through volunteer work in nursing homes. When I decided to switch careers, becoming a nurse was my first and most natural choice. I felt it would give me the knowledge to effectively and professionally provide care to others.
I chose the University at Buffalo School of Nursing for its credibility, affordability and being ranked among the best nursing schools in the U.S.
Currently, I am most interested in post-surgical care for adult patients. In the short term, I would like to work in critical care and hospice care. My long-term plan is to become a family nurse practitioner.
My interest to work on a surgical unit began during my clinical rotation, where I was able to be a part of a multidisciplinary team working together to develop optimal plans of care for surgical patients. Nurses, aids, physical therapists, social workers, dietitians and physicians were constantly sharing information about the patients and respectfully listening to each other’s input and considerations.
My interest to work in critical care and hospice care began during my summer internship at the Cayuga Hematology and Oncology Associates. I was deeply touched by the therapeutic interactions between nurses and patients during and after treatment. My interest in becoming a family nurse practioner came from the desire to help families in underdeveloped communities with little access to health care.
I am an active person who loves the outdoors. I like hiking, camping and skiing. I am very involved in my children sports clubs, scholastic soccer and lacrosse teams. I am also a member of the Ithaca City School District Sports Booster Club.
I am a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member. I also volunteer as a Portuguese – English translator at an NGO and plan on volunteering with an adaptive ski and snowboard program for people with disabilities.
I will continue to work on the surgical short stay unit at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, New York.