Healthcare Facilities Honor Nurses Who Have Gone Above, Beyond

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, caring for physical and mental health alike. Learn more about some of the outstanding nurses in Polk County, including insight into why they chose the profession and what it means to be a “good nurse.”

Bond Clinic was honored to have two of our nurses highlighted in the May edition of Central Florida Health News.

Bond Clinic: Brittany Toops, LPN

CFHN: What does a good nurse mean to you?
Someone who cares and who has compassion for people in need. Someone who stands up for their patients and shows empathy. It also means being a good team player and always striving to learn more about their field.

CFHN: Why did you decide to become a nurse?
Since I was little, it was always a dream of mine to become a nurse. I love taking care of people and feeling like I made a positive difference in their life. It always seemed like being a nurse was one of the best ways that I could accomplish that, so I made the decision to go for it and enter the nursing field. It was the best decision I ever made, and I enjoy what I do every day.

CFHN: What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in nursing?
Nursing is a wonderful and rewarding career, but it is demanding so you must be dedicated to your craft and willing to put in the time and hard work. You must have a love for people and show patience because you don’t always know what your patient is going through.

CFHN: Can you share with us a specific memory or story from your career that is special to you?

While working as a nurse in gynecology we had patients come in for their routine mammogram screenings to check for breast cancer. Unfortunately, sometimes the screenings would show cancer, which was always a sad situation. There was one patient that I became close with that was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery to remove the cancer. She was very emotional during the process and during that vulnerable time I made sure to reassure her that her body image was not as she saw it, and that she was still just as beautiful now as she was before the surgery. Sometimes my job as a nurse is not to handle just the nursing tasks, but to be there emotionally for our patients in their time of need.

CFHN: As a nurse, how do you gauge your success and impact on patients? What does your job well done look like?
I gauge my success and impact on patients when I know I have met their needs, and they leave happy. Getting a simple “thank you” from them goes a long way to let me know how I am doing. A job well done is having satisfied and happy patients who want to continue to come to our office for their healthcare needs!

Bond Clinic: Laura Kinchen, LPN

CFHN: What does a good nurse mean to you?
While knowledge can be acquired and skills can be learned, a good nurse is someone that has true care and compassion for their patient.

CFHN: CFHN: Why did you decide to become a nurse?
I decided to become a nurse when I realized I was truly at my happiest when I was helping others.

CFHN: What advice would you give someone who is considering a career in nursing?
The best advice I would give to anyone wanting to become a nurse is the same advice that was once given to me: Listen to your patient, be their advocate, and provide them with the same care and dignity you would want during your time of need.

CFHN: Can you share with us a specific memory or story from your career that is special to you?
I’ve had several memorable experiences in my nursing career, however, the most impactful moment occurred when I was still in nursing school.  During my rotation in palliative care, I was assigned to a beautiful elderly lady near her final stages of life.  I cared for her, bathed her, held her hand, and talked to her continuously.  Even though she was past the point where she could verbally respond back to me, I felt she knew I was there.  I helped her transition peacefully as she took her final breath.

CFHN: As a nurse, how do you gauge your success and impact on patients? What does your job well done look like?
As a nurse, that is still something I struggle with.  I may never know the full impact I have had on a patient, but if they leave with a smile that wasn’t initially there, then I know I’ve done my job which in turn brings me joy.

For full article, please visit: https://centralfloridahealthnews.com/angels-among-us/