Pediatric Neurology Nurse
Years as a Staff Member/Positions held:
I spent three summers as a counselor. One as a Daisy counselor, one as a Butterfly counselor and one as a Hilton counselor and sports chief.
Years as a Professional Staff Member/Positions held:
Two summers as a Camp nurse
Current Profession and Title/Years in role:
I have been a registered nurse for about 5.5 years now. I started as an adult oncology nurse, spent some time as a pediatric oncology nurse and now I am working as a pediatric neurology nurse.
Can you provide a brief overview of your job responsibilities?
The first 4.5 years of my career I was an oncology nurse working with the adult and pediatric population. I cared for patients during their cancer treatment, administered chemotherapy and aided patients during bone marrow transplants. For the past year, I have been working in a pediatric neurology clinic. I am helping kids with epilepsy, autism, developmental delay and other neurological disorders. I have always dreamt of becoming a nurse and feel very blessed to help people through vulnerable times.
Do you have any career advice for members of our Camp community?
My career advice would be to strive to do something you’re passionate about. Your positive emotion and excitement about a career path will shine through in any interview and on the job.
What do you believe have been some of your greatest personal and professional accomplishments? Is there a goal toward which you are currently working?
I am proud of the leap of faith I took as a travel nurse. I worked in different hospitals and clinics and traveled around the country. In doing so I gained a broader understanding of the nursing world and learned a lot about how I adapt to new environments. Also, being a Camp nurse has truly been the best of both worlds for me. I love the mission of Camp and will gladly help in keeping the campers and staff safe and healthy to ensure they have the best experience.
How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work and/or personal life?
At Camp, one of my big takeaways was to enjoy and celebrate the little things. Whether that is a camper climbing to the top of the alpine tower for the first time, winning the dance-off against Lower Lake, or sweet conversations where deep connections are made, all those moments make for special memories. This attitude has translated to my nursing career, where the little things are now celebrating a patient completing chemotherapy, being seizure-free for a year or something as small as experiencing less pain. I believe we can find joy in all the little victories in life.
Is there a person or a situation that had a huge influence on you while you were at Camp? How and why did they/it impact you?
Camp is a special place that surrounds you with positive, uplifting and inspiring people. I was fortunate to work with amazing co-counselors and other staff members. We bounced ideas off each other, became close friends and laughed as we all worked together alongside great campers. I am a better person having worked with these people and that contagious, serving energy is what I want to bring to my own life daily.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to give yourself some grace. It’s always easy to find joy in what’s around you but don’t be afraid to be proud of yourself sometimes.
Favorite Camp meal: Chicken sandwiches with a large side of chocolate chip cookies
Favorite dining hall or flagpole song: Daisies Are What? (RED HOT)
All-time favorite skit memory: Angels Among Us (Hilton skit) has a huge place in my heart
Favorite evening program at Camp: I am a big Dance fan, especially the Hilton/Lower Lake dance-off
What would you eat if you could only have one food for the rest of your life? Strawberries
