If you believe in the power of energy, you know how important it is to surround yourself with people with high, positive vibrations in order for you to succeed (whatever success may look like for you). In my case, I have been fortunate enough to have inspirational women in my life growing up such as my mother, sisters, and best friends. Throughout my nursing career I've also been lucky to meet and build relationships with even more inspirational, badass women. Though some of these relationships have just been by chance, I've learned that you have to truly be intentional when it comes to the people you choose to be in your circle. When I came across Brenda during my first travel nursing assignment here at UNM Hospital, it didn't take too long for me to recognize how incredible she was. I was intrigued and had a feeling that her story was one I needed to know more about.
According to the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, out of approximately 3 million registered nurses in the United States, only 3.6 % are Latinos. Lack of nursing mentorship amongst the Latino community and the inability to pay for nursing school are some of the main reasons why this percentage is so low. When I came to UNM Hospital as a traveler, this low percentage was pretty evident to me. I was one of few Latina nurses and so as soon as I met Brenda and saw that she was one of the day charge nurses (and the only Latina charge nurse), I felt an immediate sense of pride. That "orgullo latino" that I feel when someone, non-white and less privileged holds a space in upper management. Someone who equally represents me and the Latin community we serve as healthcare providers. That "orgullo latino" became even stronger when I sat down with Brenda and really got to know her story.
I met Brenda on my 2nd or 3rd week as a traveler in the PICU at UNM Hospital. Brenda was in charge that day, and I introduced myself when she made her morning rounds, checking in on everyone. She asked me if I was OK with my assignment and if I needed anything, in her very direct and strictly business manner. She didn't ask me where I was from or my experience, or how long I'd been a traveler. She just needed to know if I was OK and if my patients were OK. None of that small talk chit chat I was used to, being one of the newer travelers on this unit.
It didn't take long to see that Brenda was an excellent nurse and charge nurse. She was always offering help, proved to be an excellent resource on the unit, and took her job seriously. She carried this air of confidence that was not to be mistaken with arrogance. In fact, when she didn't know the answer to something, she'd tell you just that....and then come back 5 minutes later with the answer. The 20 bed PICU at UNM often has patients with high acuity, patients requiring life sustaining machines such as mechanical ventilators, CRRT, and ECMO. Brenda always seemed to manage the unit effortlessly. Covering breaks, attending bed board meetings, then coming back to cover more breaks, help with turning your 200 lbs patient, then help with transferring your other patient to the subacute floor, to then also help you admit the patient you're getting from the ER. Sometime's I'd have to check in on her and ask "hey, did YOU eat?". She was well respected by the nurses, attendings, respiratory therapists, and ancillary staff. I loved coming into work and seeing that she was there. She gave you a sense of-no matter how hectic or intense the day would be, things would be OK. I knew these sentiments were not just my own because all of my coworkers felt the same.
As the weeks went by I started to get to know Brenda a little bit better. We spoke in Spanish together which I loved because I always fear I'll lose that skill given that I only really speak in Spanish with my family back at home. Then one day I got the courage to ask her if we could sit down together and she could tell me her story and if I could share it in my blog. I wasn't sure if she'd be willing to do it, given that she appeared to be reserved, but when I did ask, she said "por supuesto que sÃ, seria un honor." Translation..."of course, it would be an honor".
We sat at a Flying Star cafe in Albuquerque and Brenda tells me that she is a native of Chihuahua, Mexico and immigrated to New Mexico when she was 20 years old. Like most immigrants, Brenda and her family came here for a better life and opportunity. While her parents expected for her to work, what Brenda really wanted to do is get an education. Her and her siblings took ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and shortly after, she got her GED. When I asked her what brought her to nursing she told me that in her home town there would be "pasantes medicos" which were like residents that would come to the homes of her town and provide care. She would often assist these residents and so her love for healthcare began there. Brenda enrolled in community college and started taking prerequisite classes for nursing school. She had not yet mastered the English language and struggled with some courses but she was determined to make it through school. In fact, her college advisor told her to give up her dreams of enrolling in nursing school because her English was not good enough. A few years later Brenda received her associates degree from Central New Mexico Community College and her BSN from University of Texas at Arlington. We talk about how we'd love to see that advisor's face right now, knowing how much she's accomplished. I remember nursing school vividly and how challenging it was for me. Weekly exams, lectures, care plans, daily readings, nonstop studying, clinicals, SIM, and of course...lack of sleep. I honestly can't imagine doing all of this in a different language that you haven't fully mastered. I take a moment to process all of this and tell Brenda how inspirational she is, and how proud she should be of yourself. "Gracias Emely" she says, with a bit of embarrassment in her smile and a sparkle of pride in her eyes.
Unfortunately, the incident with Brenda's college advisor wasn't the only time she'd have doors closed on her. She'd been turned down from several jobs after completing nursing school, but she never let that stop her. She tells me that she's always known her worth and that if someone else couldn't see it, she'd simply move on. In fact, when she applied to be charge nurse in the PICU at UNM, she told me she was fully prepared to leave if she didn't get the position. "If they wouldn't value my worth and know that I could do the job, then there was no reason for me to stay" Brenda tells me. Unlike the other hospitals I've worked at, the role of charge nurse at UNM is a position you apply for. You have to interview with your fellow coworkers and attendings, and you also are required to dedicate 4 extra hours a week doing committee work, audits, and unit based initiatives. This is in addition to your three 12 hour shifts per week you have to work.
But wait, it gets better because Brenda is currently finishing her masters degree in Healthcare Administration and will be receiving her degree this month! Also, no big deal but she's been House Supervisor at Lovelace Hospital here in Albuquerque, and works per diem in the PACU. This is all while still managing to spend time with her family and raise her daughter. Last year she was also the recipient of the Daisy Award, a prestigous award which recognizes an extraordinary nurse that goes and beyond. She didn't, but damn I wanted to dust her shoulders off! Talk about badass. Talk about inspiring. Talk about nonstop hustle. A straight up #boss. Not letting anyone or anything stand in the way of her goals and dreams. She's accomplished so much already in her nursing career but she tell me she still has so much more to achieve. She continues climbing that ladder and her perseverance and ambition is unmatched. I'm so excited to see how far she'll go and the impact she'll continue to have as a Latina in healthcare management and in the community.
One of the best things about travel nursing for me has been meeting people like Brenda. People who haven't always had it easy and are on their path to creating the life they want to live. People who exude confidence and know they have a place at the table, no matter the color of their skin, their roots, or accent. People whose ambition is so contagious, you have to sit back and ask yourself how you can match that energy. Those are the people you need to sit down and get to know. Their struggles and failures as well as their successes. Those are the people whose energy you need to surround yourself with.
To my friend Brenda, thank you for reminding me that we are not here on this earth to be mediocre. Thank you for making some of my toughest days in the PICU bearable, and thank you, a million times, for sharing your story with me and allowing me to share it with others.
