NEW YORK NURSE: January 2013
When Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) ER nurse Nadine Simmons saw the extent of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, the all-around athlete’s conscience prohibited her from participating in the world famous marathon she’d spent three months training for, five times a week, including a four hour run every Sunday. A life-long competitive athlete, well-seasoned in triathalons, duathalons, half marathons and local races, this would have been her first full marathon, run in honor of her friend and fellow RN diagnosed with MS. She’d already raised $4,000 in sponsorships for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by the time the storm hit the shores. But instead of competing, Nadine’s purpose shifted to providing relief on foot, to those in the hardest hit areas. On marathon day, she rerouted her course — along with 800 other runners— delivering emergency supplies at high-speed throughout Staten Island. She picked up backpacks full of essential relief items and ran them to New Dorp High School, and spent time sorting and distributing goods throughout Brooklyn in neighborhoods torn apart by Sandy. Nadine is no stranger to changing pace. Her career with SIUH began almost ten years ago after she earned a bachelor’s degree in finance, and went to work in their finance department. In the intervening years, her father and running coach succumbed to cancer, and her life-changing experience with the hospice nurses caring for him prompted a change of lane. She embarked upon a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and five years ago joined SIUH’s nursing team. Not one to be easily deterred, Nadine is already planning her marathon debut in NYC in 2013.
Long Island College Hospital (LICH) RN Elizabeth Barrow recently made her TV debut on a segment on Healthbeat Brooklyn—a production by Brooklyn Independent Television—about noise reduction in hospitals, and specifically the ongoing efforts at LICH to improve noise levels. Much to the delight of the hospital’s Public Affairs staff, Elizabeth, an oncology nurse, breezed through the appearance and has suggested she’d be interested in working in front of the camera again. They note Elizabeth’s adaptability and desire to succeed were evident when as a Patient Care Assistant at the facility she made the decision to return to school to become an RN. She transitioned from her role as PCA to that of RN four years ago. The segment can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAZkr4Kp5wg. Stay tuned to see what Elizabeth Barrow, RN, chooses to tackle next.
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