HealthLinks Upstate Jan/Feb 2020

64 | www.UpstatePhysiciansSC.com | www.HealthLinksUpstate.com CRYSTAL BEASLEY, LPN It was a class and a particular teacher that really sold Crystal Beasley on the idea of becoming a nurse. “I took health science technology in the 11th and 12th grade, and the class allowed us to venture into the world of health care,” she recalled. “The teacher was wonderful. Having that hands-on experience with patients made me fall in love with nursing.” She received her diploma in applied science with an em- phasis in practical nursing from Piedmont Technical College. She began her career as a nurse in a county jail, then went to urgent care/family medicine and later to orthopedics. She is now in home health with Health Related Home Care in Greenwood. “Home health was not something I had ever thought I would do. I saw the ad and applied. Six months into the job and I love it,” she said. “It is rewarding because sometimes you are the only person the patient sees all week. Sometimes you are not just taking vital signs, but you are also making their bed, taking out the trash and even doing a little grocery shopping for them.” She said the endless appreciation she hears makes it all worth it. “I applied for the job, but I am pretty sure, in a sense, that home health chose me,” she said. KAREN MITCHELL, RNP As a nurse patient care coordina- tor/educator at New Horizon Family Health Services, Karen Mitchell chose this particular specialty because she felt it was where she could make the greatest impact on the lives of others and the system. “I wanted to live out my faith in my vocation,” she said. “Plus, I knew that if I was going to miss time with my son, my career was going to have to have meaning and purpose, other than just income.” She said she had worked in other areas of nursing but that care coordination, case management and chronic disease management just “spoke to her.” Her advice to aspiring nurses is to always remember that “nursing is not about you. If it is, you are not on the right path.” DELORES MARSHALL, RN After attending a career fair in the 11th grade, Delores Marshall knew that nursing was for her. “I always had the desire to take care of others, especially the elder- ly,” she said. She graduated from Lander Col- lege with an associate degree in nursing and worked in medical/surgical nursing for 13 years. “I needed a job that was Monday through Friday with daytime hours to have more time with my family, so I started doing home health and have been doing that ever since for 26 years now,” she said. Marshall currently works for Health Related Home Care in Abbeville. She said she truly believes that nursing is a ministry from God and that taking care of patients and their care- givers in their homes, where they want to stay, is a God- sent career for her. Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Always listen to your patients, have compassion and be patient. Treat them as if they were one of your loved ones.” RHINA NUNEZ, LPN Rhina Nunez always knew she loved the medical field. She also knew that she wanted a career that was not only interesting but that made a difference in people’s lives. She said she loves be- ing a licensed practical nurse because it is challenging, and she is constantly learning. She currently works at New Horizon Family Health Services. “I have the ability to communicate with people and to ex- plain things clearly, which is what some people need due to not recognizing medical terms,” she said. She is also a nurse patient care coordinator/educator. “I love being able to teach the patient how to better live and control different diagnoses like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” she said. Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Make sure you never stop learning and listen to your patients. Make sure to communi- cate clearly and have empathy when it is due. Have a mentor that you can look up to and learn from.” T H E P U L S E O N UPSTATE NURSES HealthLinks Upstate wants to recognize nurses as the backbone of our medical community and thank them for all their efforts!