Meet our newest healthcare hero – Diana Head, RN. In her nursing career, she has worked in mental health, LTACH, general med unit, geriatrics, and taught nursing clinicals at a community college. She currently works for a pharmacy and travels to long-term care and assisted living facilities.
What motivated you to become a nurse?
Diana Head: When I was in my early 20’s my boyfriend at the time was diagnosed with cancer. When he started chemo, I would go there every day and talk with the nurses. Their stories were so inspiring. They were the most positive, smart, and caring individuals I had ever met. That is when I knew I wanted to become a nurse, so I too could help and inspire people. I became a single mom after my divorce, so I didn’t complete my goal of becoming a nurse until I was 40.
What is the best part of becoming a nurse?
Head: The people I come across daily. Currently, I mostly work with the geriatric population, and I love hearing their life stories. I also love listening to them talk which often makes their day so much better– just listening.
What is the toughest part of being a nurse?
Head: Before COVID-19, I would have said the worse part of becoming a nurse was losing people that I became close to. When working in the geriatric space, I tend to form bonds with my residents. The staff becomes their family, and it’s always difficult when they pass away. During COVID-19, my heart breaks for the medical staff and the residents who have suffered from COVID-19.
How do you stay motivated and positive?
Head: What keeps me going is getting together with former colleagues and discussing the accomplishments we continue to achieve. I also listen to positive and inspiring speakers via podcast and YouTube. I do more reading than I ever have done prior and try to take classes online for anything that helps me grow.
How can we show support to nurses?
Head: Two words – Be KIND. Be kind and appreciative to all the healthcare workers and essential workers out there. You never know what someone may be going through in their personal and professional lives.
If we could grant you a wish, what would it be?
Head: Implement safer staff to resident/patient ratios. This would help retain more staff and keep the current staff happier, which would result in happier residents/patients.
Is there anything you’d like to share about your experience being a nurse?
Head: Being a nurse has been the biggest blessing in my life. I have made a difference in so many peoples’ lives and I have met the most interesting residents and co-workers. I love taking care of people and talking to them. I wouldn’t have changed getting my nursing degree so late in life. It was always my dream and even though it came at age 40, I have never regretted it for one minute.
Sponsored: Encompass