JAE ARDA, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN
Trauma Clinical Practice Nurse Expert
Adult Emergency Department, Medical University of South Carolina
Before joining the military, Jae Arda’s significant other underwent cancer treatment. She provided hour-long rides to chemotherapy after working overnight shifts, often sleeping on the floor of the infusion suite.
Arda was particularly impressed by the primary nurse who she describes as caring for the whole patient — both of them.
“She understood that how I was doing directly affected my significant other’s wellbeing. That nurse went out of her way to make sure both were comfortable,” she said. That level of awareness and compassion stuck with Arda.
While exploring a few different career paths, Arda’s thoughts continually returned to that experience, prompting her enrollment in nursing school.
Today, as a clinical practice nurse expert in the emergency department, Arda blends patient care, quality improvement, nursing advocacy and education.
“In the emergency and trauma care setting, I get to work across disciplines to improve systems while also developing nurses into strong, confident clinicians and promote interdisciplinary collaboration and relationships,” she says. “I really value collaboration — working closely with nursing, emergency medicine and surgical teams to reinforce that great care is always a team effort. I also carry that into my humanitarian work, connecting specialty care and education to resource-limited settings.”
Problem-solving in a team environment thrills her most.
“I often work with nurses and newer physicians who are still building experience and I find it really rewarding to help them navigate challenges. More than just giving answers, I like helping people build the confidence and skills to solve problems on their own.”
