Maya Angelou once described the impact of nursing by saying, “As nurses, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
The words of Angelou hold true now more than ever. Nursing stands as the largest health profession in the nation, with nearly 4 million nurses who play a vital role in the health of our communities.
Whether comforting a patient, administering medication, learning new technology or researching evidence-based best practices, they provide an unparalleled level of care, practicing across many different specialties and settings.
At Cottage Health, this is exemplified by nurses like Karen Rose and Andrea Gonzalez, whose commitment to nursing has made a lasting difference in the lives of many patients and families.
For Karen Rose, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Manager, her role in supporting premature babies and their families is filled with purpose. Karen finds fulfillment in helping these families navigate through their NICU journey and serving as a role model to her peers.
Striving for continuous improvements in nursing, she has a special interest in nurse-parent communication and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
“It’s rewarding to build a special bond with NICU families,” she reflects. “We get to be a part of these families forever. They remember us, and we remember them. I’ve seen some of the NICU families at places like the grocery store, and it is always inspiring to see how much their babies have grown.”
Andrea Gonzalez, a registered nurse in the Pulmonary Renal Unit, has always been passionate about helping patients at the bedside and giving back to her community.
Growing up in Carpinteria, Andrea became familiar with Cottage at a young age. She volunteered at Cottage during high school and worked in various support roles while attending nursing school.
Her experiences working in these roles, particularly time spent supporting COVID-19 care, fueled her desire to help patients directly.
Andrea expressed with admiration, “In the COVID-19 isolation unit, I witnessed the incredible dedication and teamwork of the nursing teams at Cottage, and I knew I belonged in healthcare.”
Now, as a registered nurse, Andrea continues to demonstrate the same passion and dedication for patient care. “I don’t see nursing as a job or title. I want to improve patients’ lives, and being able to care for them has become second nature to me.”
Karen and Andrea are just two examples of the countless nurses at Cottage Health who not only embody the spirit of service but also leave a lasting impact on the lives of so many people.
National Nurses Week is an opportunity to extend gratitude to nurses everywhere for choosing a career of service, lifelong learning and caring for others.
Thank you, nurses, for all that you do!
