South Carolina’s Best Nurses

MEGAN HONAKER, DNP, RN

For Megan Honaker, church mission work during her youth spurred her determination to help people. Originally, she aimed to be a nurse at St. Jude to bring joy to children in their last days or celebrate their victories at discharge. But everything changed when she witnessed a birth during nursing school.

She focused on caring for women and their newborns – first in her hometown in rural Appalachia, then as a travel nurse providing labor and delivery and mother and baby care in seven states and later at academic medical centers.

She worked at the bedside during COVID, and at the same time fulfilled her graduate school clinical rotations. It was then that she saw how nurses needed a voice. At a COVID meeting with C-suite executives, she gained insight into the impact of executive nurse leadership and switched her graduate school concentration “to represent nursing; to give nurses a voice; to support nurses.”

Simultaneously, she served as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate program. As she taught clinicals and mentored students, she realized her true calling.

“I love seeing students just light up when they find their passion,” said Dr. Honaker, who now serves as an instructor in the Medical University of South Carolina accelerated undergraduate nursing program. “They give me hope in our next generation of nurse leaders, and it just restores my love for nursing every day.”

Dr. Honaker keeps her nursing skills fresh as she teaches at the bedside. “It re-ignites my passion for what we get to do, and it reminds me why I do what I do every day,” she said. “Being at the bedside and clinical with them allows us that opportunity to really lean into those soft skills, which are so vitally important. …I love showing students you’re never just a nurse.”

So many years removed from nursing school, she is still driven by a professor’s comment on her first day: “Do the right thing for the right reason.” That’s become her mantra.

But what drives her every day? Being with her students.

“I look at them and look how many lives they’re changing,” she said. “It’s a ripple effect. You influence one and they get to influence hundreds. Always remember your why: You’re making a difference.”

KATIE CUIZON, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

The rewards for Katie Cuizon in nursing are plenty.

Cuizon assumes dual roles as a nurse in Charleston. For one, she’s a family nurse practitioner at One80 Place Clinic, an emergency homeless shelter that collaborates with MUSC. She helps patients restart medications they can no longer afford and connects them with outpatient services and specialists.

“The patient population I care for oftentimes carries a lot of stressors on top of experiencing homelessness, and it’s been very rewarding being able to provide them resources from a health care standpoint while they are on the search for stable housing,” she said.

Simultaneously, Cuizon holds a faculty position at the MUSC College of Nursing. She’s taught students at the bedside and the lab and lectures to larger groups.

“What I find most rewarding about being in a teaching role is witnessing my students experience their first ‘lightbulb’ moment,” she explained. “This is the moment where everything they’re learning finally starts to click. I feel so fortunate to be able to witness the impact I have on not only patients but also the future generation of nurses.”

Cuizon has had several of her own lightbulb moments throughout her career. As a young nursing student, she witnessed a large medical team’s attempt to resuscitate a patient.

“After that experience, I knew I wanted to be part of a team that has the ability to save lives,” she said.

During her two years at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, she found fulfillment in helping an elderly patient die with dignity. He was not expected to recover from multiple traumatic injuries. The man was unresponsive at the start of her shift, and she watched his vital signs decline. Knowing his last moments were near, her intuition took over. She administered hospice care, sat at his bedside and held his hand, since he had no family.

“I think that’s really sad, so that’s why I chose to physically be with him in that moment,” she said. “I was also happy and grateful that I was available and could be there when no one else could.”

When she’s not at work, Cuizon enjoys exploring Charleston with her husband and golden retriever, gardening and keeping up with the food scene.

HANNAH ROBIDOUX, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

When Hannah Robidoux thinks about her patients, she falls in love with her career choice over and over and over again.

“My patients inspire me. Working with children, adolescents and young adults, watching their resilience, their ability to overcome challenges and obstacles and strive to make positive changes in their life is truly rewarding,” said Robidoux, who works as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and a psychiatric provider at the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing Next Steps Clinic.

With two therapists and one community health worker, Robidoux offers remote behavioral health services – medication management and therapy – in a clinic that is uniquely co-located in the pediatric primary care setting.

“Despite state and federal attention to infancy and early childhood care systems and school-based services to bridge inequity gaps, children and families continue to lack provisions for behavioral health throughout childhood,” Robidoux explained. “This contributes to missed opportunities for early intervention for conditions such as substance use disorders, trauma-related disorders, depression disorders and anxiety disorders.”

She and her therapist team collaborate closely with each patient’s primary care provider. The clinic’s community health worker serves as a link between the medical team and the patient and the patient’s family.

Robidoux’s desire to help others started her nursing journey, and her own personal experiences in health care and as a nursing student led to this specific niche.

“I had such great mentors as a student that I developed a passion for teaching and mentoring future nurses,” said Robidoux. “I hope to pass on the support, expertise and encouragement that was given to me. Clinically, I felt drawn to working in pediatrics; I wanted to have a positive impact and provide behavioral support to young lives during vulnerable moments.”

When Robidoux is not mentoring others, she enjoys the outdoors, especially the beach. She also cherishes time with family and friends and going for walks with her husband, Sterling, and their dog, Dobby.

Robidoux’s advice to other educators and mentors?

“Prioritize self-care. Prioritizing our own well-being enables us to provide better care for our patients,” she said. “Support and mentorship are also so important in our profession. It is important to build relationships with peers who can offer guidance and support.”

SARAH MILLER, PhD., RN,
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINADr. Sarah Miller has always loved puzzles, especially puzzles that require her to figure out creative solutions. Puzzles are one reason that she became a scientist; she wanted to solve the scientific questions that were bothering her.Recently named the interim assistant dean of MUSC’s Ph.D. Nursing Science program, Dr. Miller brings her insatiable desire to solve scientific puzzles and a mentorship philosophy to her dual roles as an administrative leader and an educator.“Of course, mentorship is an expected responsibility of our profession, but it’s more than that, it is aligned with my personal core values of curiosity, connection and empowerment,” Dr. Miller explained. “It is important to me to connect with my mentees, empower them to be their best selves and most importantly, cultivate a spirit of inquiry.”Ultimately, she added, “we can teach, guide and support our students, but they are the ones who take that knowledge and advice and make it their own to create their own unique contributions to the scientific field.”Seeing her mentees thrive always brings Dr. Miller joy. She loves being, as one of her own mentors, Dr. Kathy Lindell described, a rising tide that lifts all ships.As the interim assistant dean, Dr. Miller is keenly aware of how her career as a scientist and her love for solving puzzles contribute to her leadership style.“Nurse scientists play a crucial role in scientific discovery yet often remain underrepresented on research teams, policymaking, in scientific funding and especially in leadership positions,” she explained. “I want to play a part in solving this problem and I plan to do that by supporting the next generation of nurse scientists and the faculty who will train them.”She described her approach to a problem or inefficiency: “Let’s look at the situation with fresh eyes, and maybe even question the way that we’ve always done things. If the solution isn’t the best one, that’s a great time to reflect and pivot and figure out another solution. That’s how we all get stronger in the long run. It’s a very iterative process.”Her advice to nurses and nurse educators?

“Practice self-reflection and be receptive to feedback. In my own academic career, my mentors have taught me the value of critically assessing my strengths and weaknesses,” she explained. “It is so important to be receptive to feedback and embrace discomfort. This is when growth really happens.”

AMY SMITH, DNP, RN, CNE

In the summer of 2019, Amy Smith took a group of 10 nursing students to Cherokee, North Carolina, to learn about rural healthcare and health disparities. They stayed in a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains and visited local healthcare clinics, the Cherokee Hospital and a detox and rehab center.

They also learned about the Cherokee culture from the Elder and brought donations and served at a local shelter for the day.

“This trip provided a lifetime of memories and lessons that fueled a passion in each of us to engage in efforts to increase access to care and improve health equality for all,” Smith said.

As a 14-year, seasoned pathopharmacology teacher, Smith connects with students who have diverse learning styles by using innovative and engaging teaching strategies. She is often the first among faculty to try something new in — and beyond — the classroom. Her students have created drug commercials based on a prototype drug; they have learned about the adverse effects and nursing interventions for a specific drug and they have developed image-based stories to share key points about a drug that they select from the curriculum.

Smith said that she draws inspiration from her MUSC colleagues every day.

“Everyone shares a common goal, which is to produce competent and safe nursing students in a supportive and inclusive educational environment. I attribute many of my professional successes to my colleagues at MUSC who recognized my strengths and fostered my professional development,” she added.

To future nurse educators, Smith offered this advice: Have fun when you teach, make it exciting and engaging, and don’t hesitate to try new teaching strategies in the classroom,” she said. “Share your stories. Get to know your students on an individual level. Start and end each class with positive words of affirmation.”

“Be approachable and encourage students to ask questions. You can’t do it all, and it is okay to say no to opportunities that may not reflect your personal or professional goals at the time,” Smith added. “Recognize signs of burnout and make the time every day to do something that brings you joy.”

JOSHUA MORAN JIMÉNEZ, BSN, RN, CPHQ, CARN, PMH-BC, CPAHA-TT,
NE-BC ANM 3N/DPOD IOP

Joshua Jiménez has been a cheerleader, collaborator and advocate for nursing through every step of his journey to become a nurse practitioner with a myriad of certified specialties – psychiatric mental health nurse, certified addiction registered nurse, board certified nurse executive, to name a few.

He is the MUSC colleague who happily chairs the Healthy Work Environment organizational council and presents the DAISY and Nothing Bundt the Best awards.

“It is most rewarding to hear the nominations of nurses touching lives and recognize the exceptional nursing across MUSC,” he said. “It’s been an honor to have been mentored by those who have since retired and to mentor others who are just joining the profession.”

Jiménez is the person who opts to thank the school and his colleagues rather than call attention to himself.

“One of my favorite memories in nursing has been the opportunity to collaborate, learn from and with, and work alongside nurses from different generations,” he said. “The College of Nursing faculty have been at the cornerstone of connecting learning and scholarship with leadership and service in my career, and I am beyond thankful.”

Jiménez’s goal is to champion whole health, especially mental health, in the medical field until it is fully realized.

His advice to other nurses and nurse educators?

“Take a break; self-care is important too.”

CATHERINE O. DURHAM, DNP

Celebrations continue since MUSC’s College of Nursing welcomed Catherine O. Durham, DNP, as its next dean in late October.

Durham, who was the assistant dean for graduate practice programs and associate professor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the time of the announcement, moved into her new position on Oct. 23.

“It is with great confidence and enthusiasm that I welcome Dr. Durham as our new dean for the College of Nursing. Her vision for the future of the college fills us with vibrant hope,” said Lisa K. Saladin, PT, Ph.D., executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, and the chair of the 11-member College of Nursing Dean Search Committee.

“I look forward to working alongside her as she further elevates the college’s national reputation while leveraging her leadership skills to foster a collaborative environment where our dedicated faculty, staff and students flourish,” Saladin added.

Durham brings the career experience of a 28-year veteran nurse, a nursing educator and a College of Nursing alumna, as well as national expertise, to her new role. She has served in multiple faculty and nursing practice partnership leadership roles within the college.

Durham’s 28 years of experience as a nurse and family nurse practitioner is coupled with 28 years of leadership and dedicated service in the U.S. Navy; she currently holds the rank of captain.

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BRENDA KENDALL-BAILEY, DNP, MS, RN, CNOR

Dr. Brenda Kendall-Bailey’s advice to nurses and nurse educators weaves in words from former President Barack Obama: “Be a strong voice for nursing, maintain your passion by advocating for your profession and patients. Your journey as a nurse may not always be smooth. It is critically important to know deep within yourself that ‘nurses are the beating heart of our medical system.’”

Dr. Kendall-Bailey’s professional trajectory confirms her shared belief with Obama that nurses serve a vital role in the medical system – a rewarding role that calls for compassionate leadership. With more than 20 years of nursing leadership experience, she came to the Medical University of South Carolina in April 2023 from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

“Looking back on my career as a nurse, I’ve spent many years in various leadership roles. One constant in my career has been a connection to perioperative services – the operating room. I worked as a staff nurse learning the roles of a circulating nurse and scrub nurse, then being promoted to leadership roles, always with the OR connection,” Dr. Kendall-Bailey explained.

“My current role as the chief nursing officer at the Charleston Division is by far my most rewarding,” she added. “It is an honor and a privilege to represent MUSC nurses and MUSC as an organization, both of which are dedicated to changing what’s possible in the lives of South Carolinians.”

A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Kendall-Bailey said she “owes everything to the unwavering support of my parents, who inspire me every day.”

“I am most inspired by my parents and the strong desire to make them proud and for them to know their hard work pushing me to succeed was not wasted,” she added.

In her spare time, Dr. Kendall-Bailey enjoys time with her family. They consider games at the dinner table, kickball in the yard and vacations all time well spent. Outside of family time, Dr. Kendall-Bailey enjoys reading psychological thrillers, swimming and dinner with friends.

KATHLEEN OARE LINDELL, PH.D., RN, ATSF, FAAN

Dr. Kathleen Lindell knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was 16 years old. She was getting her wisdom teeth out, and, even in the haze of the procedure, she found the nurses’ care remarkable. They made her feel safe and offered assurances that she was just fine.

“It was very simple; I knew I wanted to do the same for other people,” said Dr. Lindell, associate professor of nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina, with a joint appointment in the College of Medicine and the Mary Swain Endowed Chair in Palliative Care Health. “Back then, during ‘the stone age,’ wisdom teeth extractions involved a three-day hospital stay. I had time to appreciate and see what the nurses did.”

Dr. Lindell is now in her 45th year as a nurse and currently serves as a nurse scientist at MUSC. Prior to her arrival in Charleston, she was a critical care nurse and nurse manager at St. Francis General Hospital in Pittsburgh and a pulmonary clinical nurse specialist at the Penn Lung Center in Philadelphia. She also worked at the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Her path of research is directed toward improving the quality of life for patients with advanced lung disease – specifically idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – and their family caregivers.

“Seeing gracious patients enduring this terrible disease led me to palliative care,” Dr. Lindell explained.

As a result of her work with patients and their caregivers, she developed a nurse-led palliative care intervention titled A Program of SUPPORT. Ultimately, her career work resulted in 66 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters and serving as a co-editor of a book titled “Palliative Care in Lung Disease” in 2021.

Dr. Lindell is actively involved in the American Thoracic Society and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, having served both as a member of the board of directors. At present, she is a member of the PFF Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre Scientific Advisory Committee at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom.

Mentoring and matchmaking bright students, junior and career faculty to promising careers thrills Dr. Lindell. She is the kind of mentor who eases mentees toward more seasoned scholars during social gatherings so they can talk and then follows up the next day to tell the colleague that the mentee would be a great addition to the research team.

Her consistent advice to her students is “Remember your purpose and care for yourself first before you care for others.” To her colleagues, Dr. Lindell notes, “We must remember our purpose – to educate. We need to bring these nurses along so that they are ready to care for others and for us.”

“Caring for others and for us sounds like so many years from now,” Dr. Lindell said. “But those years fly by, so it is important to mentor them well now.”

Dr. Lindell is a graduate of the St. Francis General Hospital Professional School of Nursing and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.

DR. KELLIE GRIGGS, DNP, MSN, RNC-OB
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

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MENTOR, BUILDER, INNOVATOR

Dr. Kellie Griggs describes herself as compassionate, a mentor, a builder, an innovator and an encourager. As the assistant dean of undergraduate studies and assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina, she considers it a privilege to bring out the best in faculty and students.

“I work with an amazing team of professionals who inspire me with their dedication and caring every day,” Dr. Griggs said. “My team of colleagues supports each other’s ideas, encourages creativity, promotes innovation. Our team dynamic positively translates to students and practice outcomes.”

Dr. Griggs is equally passionate about her students: “Wow, can I just say that we have an incredibly diverse group of students who bring a multitude of experiences, wisdom and backgrounds to our programs,” she said. “My goal is to expand their minds, encourage them to step outside of their comfort zones, influence the world around them, and connect others to experiential learning experiences.”

Dr. Griggs took a less traditional path into nursing and completing her education.

“As an adult learner, I appreciate that my life experiences created a framework for my professional philosophy, which centers on investing in others’ successes and reminding people they can create positive change,” she explained. “My clinical scholarship includes understanding the birth experience of minority women, enhancing barriers related to social determinants of health, removing barriers for maternal substance use disorder and evaluating preventable factors that may contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity.”

When Dr. Griggs is not mentoring others, she enjoys interior design and “making spaces feel comfortable, cozy and welcoming.” She also savors time with her “rock-star husband, Sterling, of 23 years and four children, ages 15 through 21,” she said. “Our lives are filled with many sports, family dinners, time with friends, game nights and time at the beach. We also serve as volunteers with Meals on Wheels and other community service agencies.”

Griggs’ advice for nurses: “Continue to globalize and enhance your knowledge in a multitude of areas ranging from organizational to communities. The profession of nursing is evolving at a rapid pace, and nurses must possess enhanced knowledge to be leaders and influencers for policy and health care.”

KATHRYN KINYON, DNP, CPNP, AHN-BC

As a holistic nurse, Dr. Kathryn Kinyon views the world as a place of interconnectedness.

“Often one views nursing as a task-driven profession, but nursing is not just about doing. Nursing is a way of being – being mindfully present for patients and families,” said Dr. Kinyon. “It is taking a world view of a patient to assess the many challenges they face along with their health challenge.”

Dr. Kinyon is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing Accelerated BSN program. She received her associate degree in nursing in 1976 from Lasell College and a BA in business administration from Florida State University in 1981.

In 1990, Dr. Kinyon received her MSN from the University of Florida. Her thesis involved the study of codeine-exposed newborns and their ability to achieve a quiet-alert state. In 2010, Dr. Kinyon received her doctor in nursing practice from the University of Florida, completing a study comparing perception of illness between parents and children with cystic fibrosis. She has been a certified holistic nurse since 1998.

“Caring for children who have a chronic condition has opened my eyes to the many challenges they face,” said Dr. Kinyon. “Most children with cystic fibrosis need to take prescription replacement pancreatic enzymes with each meal to absorb the food nutriments.”

School-age children needed to go to the front office to get their medications each time they wanted to eat, Dr. Kinyon added. As a nurse practitioner in Florida, she wrote and instigated the passage of a law which allowed children with cystic fibrosis to self-administer their replacement pancreatic enzymes while at school.

“Advocating for patients and families is a huge part of nursing,” she said.

To date, as an educator, the pandemic has proved to be one of Dr. Kinyon’s toughest challenges.

“How do you take a face-to-face class for 100 students and quickly flip to an online environment? How can you create a sense of community and maintain student engagement?” she asked. “Flipping to an online environment pushed me to find interactive games and activities to keep the students engaged.”

Mentoring nurses and nursing students to be the best they can be will always inspire Dr. Kinyon.

“I am honored to help them establish a firm path as they work toward their career goals,” she said.

Dr. Kinyon offers three pieces of advice to her mentees: take care of yourself; find joy in each and every day; and remember to be present for yourself, your family, students and patients.

CAROLYN JENKINS, DRPH, MSN, MS, RD, LD, FAAN

One of Carolyn Jenkins’ most rewarding accomplishments as a registered nurse, an educator and a dietitian unfolded during a collaborative outreach venture to decrease diabetes-related foot and leg amputations in communities that spanned 1,800 square miles of Charleston and Georgetown counties.

Jenkins developed the venture, secured a Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and gathered medical university and community partners. Through collaboration with five health systems and Community Health Advisor, the team worked with largely African American communities.

“These efforts are led by Mrs. Florene Linnen and Joyce Linnen, who are currently volunteering with the Diabetes CORE Group in their communities,” Jenkins explained. “The REACH team of nurses and community members taught me so much about working effectively with communities. A team of nurses, dietitians and I taught the communities about diabetes. Together we can truly make a difference.”

With 48 years of experience as a registered nurse and a professor emerita at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Jenkins has a vast number of rewarding experiences and favorite memories.

From her sister’s journey to be a nurse that inspired Jenkins to follow to a simple, revealing comment by a nursing home resident, her memories continue to shape her life path.

“I worked in nursing homes and hospitals. Then one day I entered a patient’s room as he was headed home,” Jenkins explained. “He was newly diagnosed with diabetes and said ‘just stick my diet in my pocket’ [when asked about his care and diet plan]. I realized that if I were a nurse, I could do more in teaching patients and improving their knowledge and potentially their health if I blended dietetics and nursing.”

Jenkins, who was already a registered dietitian/nutritionist with a bachelor’s in nutrition and institutional management and a master’s in nutrition, obtained an associate degree, a bachelor’s and a master’s in nursing.

She joined the faculty in MUSC’s College of Nursing after working as a nurse in a nursing home, Roper Hospital and Franklin C Fetter Health Center.

Jenkins’ heart and her specialization are in community health, with an emphasis on health disparities related to diabetes and stroke. She continues to work with communities in Nigeria and Ghana in sub-Saharan Africa while also continuing research to address health disparities.

“We nurses are essential members of the health care team who make a difference in the quality of care,” Jenkins said. “But we also must find ways to take care of ourselves and our family if we are to provide quality care to our patients and our communities.”

KRISTEN M. POSTON, DNP, APRN, NP-C

Dr. Kristen Poston’s favorite memory as a professor and mentor for future nurses was when her daughter was born two months early last year and had to be hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month. The nurses she taught took care of her daughter.

“It was a full circle moment, seeing the amazing impact our graduates have on patients and their families,” Dr. Poston said. “The competence and compassion that our graduates demonstrated during that time to my family and other families alike further solidified my commitment to developing stellar practice-ready nurses. I already knew they were doing incredible things, but to experience it firsthand was remarkable.”

Dr. Poston is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing Accelerated BSN program. She received her bachelor of science in exercise science from the University of South Carolina and her bachelor of science in nursing, her master of science in nursing and her doctor of nursing practice from the Medical University of South Carolina.

She is a first-generation health care provider in her family and was drawn to her profession through her father’s dedication to military service across the world.

“My dad and grandfather both served long careers in the Air Force, so, from a very young age, I knew that service to others in some capacity was what I wanted to do,” Dr. Poston said. “Nursing, and the multitude of opportunities for lifelong service and advocacy that it provides, was a natural fit.”

Dr. Poston spent her time as a registered nurse working in neurology and neurosurgery. Her doctoral work focused on reduction of re-admissions in ischemic stroke patients. She is an AANP certified family nurse practitioner, has extensive experience in urgent care and is passionate about antibiotic stewardship and equitable access to care.

Dr. Poston joined MUSC as an adjunct faculty member in 2014 and transitioned to a full-time faculty role in 2017.

“I am passionate about developing high-quality nurses that are ready for certification and practice, primarily via focusing on guiding certification preparation and through the use of focused simulation experiences,” Dr. Poston said. “I also work with a mobile health unit as an FNP, reaching our underserved and rural communities in South Carolina. Both of these things, educating new nurses and serving our communities in need, are incredibly rewarding.”

When Dr. Poston is not working, she savors family time with her husband and her two children. She also loves to golf.

For future nurses and nurse educators, Dr. Poston offers this advice: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Nursing is dynamic and challenging. Meet those challenges with excitement and confidence; celebrate when they go well and reflect and grow when they don’t.”

AMY WILLIAMS, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NURSING, THE COLLEGE OF NURSING AT MUSC

Amy Williams knows that “there are incredibly difficult days, weeks and months in the nursing profession.” She said she leans on the advice of a “wise, patient, seasoned nurse mentor” to inspire her every day.

Her mentor’s advice: “We treat each day and each patient encounter as a new experience, leaving behind the other stresses of the day, week or month. This is because each patient encounter deserves our full attention and dedication.”

“This advice has carried me through some of my most difficult professional moments,” Williams said. “I still consider myself privileged to have gotten this advice early on and, now, to get to share it with my students.”

Williams is an associate professor in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program at The Medical University of South Carolina. She received her BSN, MSN to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and DNP from MUSC. She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.

“I moved to Charleston to get my undergraduate nursing degree and decided that I never wanted to live anywhere else,” Williams said.

She is interested in health care policy and advocacy, childhood obesity, childhood asthma, infant, child and adolescent development, health equity and promoting culturally effective health care. Williams’ honors include the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses and the Palmetto Gold Award. She is also an MUSC Innovator Award winner and a Jonas scholar.

“Unlike many nurses, I am a first-generation nurse in my family,” Williams said. “My maternal grandmother, who had an amazing influence on my life, was a longtime volunteer at her local community hospital. She always spoke so highly of the nurses and the work that they did each day.”

“I absolutely love science and feel very invested in helping others, especially in times of need,” Williams added. “Because of this early influence on what it meant to be a nurse, nursing gradually seemed like the perfect fit for me. To this day, I think it is a highly challenging but rewarding profession.”

KATRINA WU, MSN, APRN, CNM

For Katrina Wu, being a nurse is a privilege. As a nurse midwife and currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina, she said that she was drawn to the profession because of the close and long-term relationships she made with families during their childbearing years.

“I’m passionate about helping people better understand their bodies and achieving the health goals they set for themselves,” she said. “Attending births is an immense privilege and honor that I don’t take lightly.”

She added that her life is richer due to the experiences she has had witnessing birth with so many different families.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “I would tell aspiring nurses that they are needed and that they belong. We are all so different and therefore have so much to offer the profession. I’d encourage them to bring their whole selves as they embrace nursing.”

Wu is researching how telemedicine in routine prenatal care can improve access to care in the United States.

NICOLE SARTOR, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CHPPN

Nicole Sartor admitted that she couldn’t believe that driving to people’s homes and attending to their physical-skill needs and then having the privilege to talk to them about living and dying with a serious illness was even a job. She recalled the moment she knew palliative and hospice nursing was her calling.

“It all began during my undergraduate community health rotation,” she explained. “My clinical was through a visiting nurse association, and I was sent out to visit a woman with pancreatic cancer. I spent less than 15 minutes getting her vital signs, doing a pain assessment, palpating her abdomen and doing a health assessment. This was followed by 45 minutes of listening to her experience living with a terminal diagnosis. I will always remember listening to how cancer changed her life, what she hoped for and what she worried about. That visit lasted an hour, but the impact of our conversation shaped my nursing career and became part of her legacy.”

She said that sacred moment changed her life: “While my classmates were learning exciting lifesaving skills using state-of-the-art technology, I was learning how to help people consider their goals and how they define the quality of life.”

Sartor attended Colby-Sawyer College for her bachelor’s in nursing and then Stony Brook University for her master’s in nursing. She attended MUSC for a DNP in life span palliative care.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Nursing is a caregiving profession, and, to do this well, we must learn how to care for ourselves.”

MALLORY WEAVER, BSN, RN, CMSRN

It was a deep curiosity for health science as a teenager that got Mallory Weaver interested in nursing. Right after high school, she entered nursing school and hasn’t looked back.

“At one point in college, I had to take a year off and help my parents, and that experience made me realize even more that nursing was for me,” she said.

Weaver is now working for Trident Medical Center in the medical-surgical float pool and as house supervisor.

“I love medical-surgical medicine. There is a wealth of knowledge and learning that comes with this field, and you see patients from all walks of life – children, adolescents, adults and even geriatric patients – you see it all.”

Weaver’s advice to up-and-coming nurses: “Nursing is not just a career path. It’s a lifelong decision to commit to caring for others. It’s a passion and it’s spiritually rewarding.”

DESTINEE KENERSON, BSN, RN

Destinee Kenerson said that her favorite part of her job as nurse in Trident Medical Center’s inpatient rehab unit is having the privilege of seeing people go from their lowest points to walking out the door to go home to their families: “It’s very inspiring and heartwarming to witness their accomplishments.”

She knew she wanted to be a nurse since high school when she was enrolled in a certified nursing assistant program, where she shadowed nurses for three years.

“During this program, I was able to witness the life-changing ways nurses can make a difference in people’s lives.” she said.

She wanted to work in inpatient rehab because she enjoyed educating and encouraging people to progress toward their goals.

“My advice to aspiring nurses is to keep going. Nursing school isn’t easy, and, honestly, the profession isn’t any easier – but it’s worth it. It’s worth it to know that you saved a life, to build relationships with patients and their families and to learn from other nurses along the way. Nursing is a team effort, and you will inevitably make lifelong friends. My last piece of advice is to pray. If prayer isn’t your preference, I advise any form of self-care because you have to take care of you first if you expect to care for others. Nursing is truly a work of heart.”

KAREN RUPP, BSN, RN

Retiring after 27 years of active duty service in the Air Force, Karen Rupp knew she enjoyed caring for people. Although she didn’t work in health care in the military, she had several opportunities during deployments to augment medical staff during surges in operations in the Middle East. In fact, her deployment to Balad Air Base in Iraq is what first piqued her interest in nursing. It was there that she assisted medical staff in caring for military and civilian personnel who were injured from roadside bombs and small arms fire. Little did she know, those opportunities would play such a large part in her decision more than 10 years later.

Aside from her experiences during deployments, Karen was also drawn to nursing as she cared for her mother over the last several years.

“I admired the nurses, both at the hospital and in home health, who cared for my mom. I could sense their passion and commitment,” she said, admitting that it was the compassion they showed her mom that helped her decide on nursing as her next career.

After an intense 16-month nursing program, she now works at the MUSC Adult Emergency Department.

CAYLA HENNESSEY, BSN, RN

For Cayla Hennessey, the medical field has been an interest of hers from a very young age. “My dad was a veterinarian, so I grew up assisting in surgeries and attending emergency calls with him,” she said.

She became a lifeguard in college and then went on to pursue a career in emergency medicine. Today she works in the Emergency Department at Trident Medical Center.

“Having the opportunity to subdue fear and panic and care for people in their worst moments is what drives my passion,” she said.

Hennessey is currently pursuing a doctor of nursing practice degree from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Being a nurse will open your eyes to the beauty and heartbreak of the human experience. There will be difficult days, so remember to look for the beauty, because that is what makes this career so rewarding.”

She added, “And don’t forget to always keep a spare set of scrubs in your car.”

ANDREA LUCKY-TAYLOR, BSN, RN

For Andrea Lucky-Taylor, becoming a nurse and working in the specialty she is in now was all about facing her fears. It all started with an “awful birthing experience.” And now, she said, “I’ve always loved helping people get back on their feet.”

She currently works at Trident Medical Center in the telemetry unit.

“I never considered being a cardiac nurse. I’ve always wanted to do mental health nursing. In school, the cardiac information terrified me,” she said.

When an opportunity for telemetry arose, she said, “I figured, why not face my fears and join the cardiac team?”

Telemetry for cardiac patients is a way to monitor their vital signs remotely.

Lucky-Taylor advised, “Nothing about nursing is easy. Always remember why you started. Have a support system in place and know when to leave work at work. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.”

SANDRA MCCULLOUGH, RN

When Sandra McCullough was only 5 years old, she was given a stethoscope from her aunt, who worked as a cardiovascular ICU nurse.

“I looked up to her and I knew, even at that young age, that I wanted to be a nurse,” she said.

She gravitated to the intensive care unit because she said it is such a specialized area, and she loved the challenge of managing many tasks at once. She now works at Summerville Medical Center as a clinical nurse coordinator in the ICU.

She advises new nurses to “Keep your chin up. The end goal is totally worth it. Being able to see your patient progressively improve or being able be there for them if they don’t is the greatest honor.”

She also emphasized the importance of checking on one another during this time: “Especially when we all have been isolated and have had limited social interactions, it is important to be there for each other.”

KELLY BEAUMIER, MSN, RN

After earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Kelly Beaumier realized her calling lay somewhere else: “My sister is a nurse. She always speaks highly of her profession and how she is able to help people when they need help the most. So, I said, ‘I’ll try nursing.’ And I love it.”

Eight years later, as an emergency room nurse and having earned a master’s of science in nursing degree from Brockton Hospital School of Nursing in Brockton, Massachusetts, Beaumier said she can’t imagine doing anything else: “I love the autonomy of working in an ER, the pace and the teamwork. I love working with my team at Trident Medical Center. The care I see provided every day to our patients makes me proud to be a nurse.”

Beaumier said one of the main characteristics she’s seen in new nurses who are very successful and caring is, “They never stop asking questions. In health care, and especially in an ER, there is always something to learn.”

SAMANTHA A. MARTIN, BSN, RN

Samantha A. Martin grew up close to her grandparents and often took care of them when they were sick. She said she was always interested in learning about what was making them sick and how to make them feel better. It came full circle for her when she was able to be with her great-grandfather when he died.

“It was my senior year of nursing school. I stayed with my great-grandfather the night he passed. I monitored his vitals and was able to tell that his time was coming soon. I was able to hold his hand right as he sighed his last breath. There was gratitude and validation in that moment that I was in the right profession,” she said.

Martin now works for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in med/surg.

“I have many veterans in my family, and now I have the honor of caring for our nation’s veterans, who are a very vulnerable population,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Don’t hesitate to speak your mind. Trust your instincts. That lack of hesitation will save a life one day.”

CIELITA K. HALYARD, MSN, FNP-C

Nursing was a goal for Cielita K. Halyard since high school. She actually knew at that time that she wanted to be a nurse practitioner but decided to work as a nurse first before pursuing her masters degree. For 10 years, Halyard worked as a bedside nurse and then finally obtained her MSN. Her specialty of choice was family practice/ primary care.

“I get bored very easily and thrive on variety,” she said. “Therefore I knew family practice/primary care would be the best fit for me.”

Now with Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, she hasn’t looked back.

“It doesn’t matter how you start the race; it only matters how you finish. Therefore, don’t let anything or anyone deter you from pursuing your goal,” she said.

ESTEE PERLMUTTER, FNP-BC

Estee Perlmutter grew up with parents who were both teachers, so when it came to choosing a profession, she knew it would be one that gave back to the community in some way.

She has worked in both hospice and med/surg, but what she ended up specializing in was family practice. Now, as a family nurse practitioner with Liberty Doctors, she feels right at home.

“I love working in family practice because it allows me to treat patients of all ages with a variety of health concerns. I may treat a person with congestive heart failure and diabetes followed by a person with a poison ivy outbreak,” she attested.

She loves the opportunities she has been afforded with a career in nursing: “I’ve lived in many different cities and have always been fortunate to find work.”

Ultimately, her love for nursing lies with helping people.

“My goal is to help people feel well and live the life they would like to live,” she said.

BARRETT WALTON, RN

Barrett Walton knew that the health care field was for him but wasn’t so sure about nursing. But, after just a few courses in college, he fell in love with every aspect of nursing and is now working in the progressive care unit at East Cooper Medical Center. New to the field, Walton is one of the youngest nurses in the department and strives to learn from his team every day.

“Everyone here is really great to work with. I was welcomed with open arms, and it’s so nice to have that,” he said.

His advice for anyone thinking about becoming a nurse: “It’s not easy, but you learn something new every day and that makes it really exciting.”

Barrett has resided in the Lowcountry his whole life and enjoys every aspect of living here, including spending time on his boat and being active outdoors.

NICOLE MOSLEY, BSN, RN

Nicole Mosley credits her upbringing in a military family with her passion for giving back to the men and women who serve our country. Now as an assistant nurse manager for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center’s Savannah Community Based Outpatient Clinic, Mosley said she is proud of the work the VA has done during this unprecedented time.

“We have done a great job caring for the veterans, especially making sure they have access to care even if it is not face-to-face,” she said.

Mosley said the VA’s telehealth services have been successful: “We have been creative with care utilizing video and telephone appointments to keep veterans and our employees safe.”

She concluded, “Being a nurse is not just a job or career. It is who you are. Loving what you do shows in the care you provide to your patients. Patients put their trust in you. Don’t ever lose focus of that.”

KHAILIALIAH YATES, RN, ADN

The most rewarding part of being a pediatric intensive care unit nurse at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital for Khailialiah Yates is being able to bring joy, light and hope to the children and the families that she cares for in probably what is the toughest time of their lives.

“I was working as a tech in the PICU when I decided to go to nursing school. I saw the care and compassion that the nurses showed the patients. I immediately went into nursing school, and now I get to do that,” she said.

She admitted that being a critical care nurse during a pandemic has been challenging in many ways but that she wouldn’t change it for anything.

“I love what I do and am grateful I get to do it,” she remarked.

She doesn’t take herself too seriously and she advises other nurses to do the same.

“It is OK to have fun in your job,” she said.

Yates is currently working on her BSN and aspires to obtain her CCRN and ACNP.

RICHETTA DEAS, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC

It was the painful death of Richetta Deas’ grandmother when she was just 7 years old that made her want to go into nursing.

“My grandmother – my angel – who gave me so much of the little she had, succumbed to a malignant tumor in her stomach that was deemed inoperable. She died alone in a nursing home. I wanted to take care of her myself, and I was only 7 years old,” she remembered.

But that experience inspired her. She is now an adult nurse practitioner with Fetter Health Care Network.

Her advice to new nurses is to “listen to your patients. They are an invaluable resource, and you will learn from each one. Passing clinicals, grand rounds, boards – that is the easy part.”

She also said, “Don’t let the money or job security be the primary reason you become a nurse. Chances are you will fail. This profession is for the soldiers of heart, and you must be alert and ready at all times.”

AMBER RYAN, RN, BSN

Amber Ryan remembers setting up a doctor’s office for her father, a stonemason, when he would return home with cuts and bruises after a hard day’s work.

“I would clean him up and bandage his wounds,” she said.

But as a freshman in college, she started taking classes in early childhood education.

“I’ll admit guts and gore deterred me from becoming a nurse at first,” she explained.

When her grandfather got sick, she said she always remembered how his face lit up when he spoke about the nurses who made his hospital stays better.

“I knew that I wanted to do this for others. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives the way those nurses did for my grandpa,” she explained.

She is now working in the pediatric intensive care unit at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Make the most of every experience, and follow your own path to becoming a nurse. I work with so many health care professionals in different fields that feel discouraged they aren’t where they expected themselves to be. We all get there eventually, so use every step along the way as an experience to grow from.”

TRERVOR PHAM, RN

Trervor Pham said he has his wife to thank for encouraging him to become a nurse.“ She happens to be an RN as well. She said I had the perfect personality for a nurse, so I gave it a chance.” Now in med-surge at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, he said he is glad he took that chance because, “nursing has been one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.”

He said he enjoys med-surge because he likes caring for veterans as they come out of complex surgeries.

“Med-surge is also helping me to build upon my foundation as I work to critical care,” he said.

He concluded: “Nursing school is tough and the job is demanding. There will be times that you may feel like giving up. If you persevere and stick with it, nursing will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. Being able to say you made a difference in a patient’s life is beyond amazing.”

CHRISTINE LORENCE, BSN RN

Christine Lorence was one semester shy of earning her interior design degree when she started to rethink her career choice. She started to think about her beloved mother, a scrub nurse in the operating room, who died from lung cancer when Lorence was only 7 years old.

“I always wanted to be just like her,” Lorence recalled. “So I gave it a shot, starting with a summer course. I finished out my electives at Broome Community College and transferred to SUNY Binghamton Decker School of Nursing as a junior. I graduated in 2009 with my BSN.”

Lorence, who is now a nurse at Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown Hospital in Greenville, had already earned an associate degree in liberal arts before she took that life-changing leap into nursing. After a brief stint in an oncology unit, Lorence said she knew her place was in the operating room, and she has been there ever since.

“My favorite thing about working in the OR is being able to connect with my patients in such a short period of time before they go to sleep. They are essentially leaving their lives in our hands and they just met us,” Lorence said. “Giving them hope, encouragement and strength, all within five minutes, is sometimes all they need to push through.”

Lorence recalls a time when she was working as an attendant.

“I went to pick up a patient and noticed she was crying. I asked if she was OK and she said, ‘No. I have cancer, and I overheard the assisting doctor say ‘there is nothing we can do for her,’” Lorence said. “I told her that she is in the best hands with the two doctors doing her surgery and they will do everything they can to help her.”

The patient stopped crying and thanked Lorence for giving her hope all within five minutes.

“That brought a smile to my face, and I knew I was where I was supposed to be,” Lorence said.

Lorence encourages new nurses to never give up.

“Never act like you know everything because you will learn something new every day,” she added. “If you aren’t happy where you are, there are so many other options. You will find your place.” CASEY MONCRIEF, RN, BSN, CEN

KATY HAUNTSMAN, RN

Since high school, Katy Hauntsman, RN, has always been interested in the sciences, particularly medicine and caring for people.

“I wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like going into college, but, as I learned more about the nursing profession and all the opportunities it provided, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” Hauntsman said.

“I really enjoy working closely with the critical care population,” she added. “I’m working closely with physicians, respiratory therapists and physical therapists, and, as a team, we strive to improve every patient’s outcome.”

Hauntsman is an ICU/CCU nurse at Bon Secours St. Francis in Greenville. She graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor of science in biological sciences and a minor in psychology. She also earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the university’s nursing program.

Hauntsman offers this advice to new nurses: “It is just as important to take care of yourself as it is your patients. If you are not taking the time to decompress at home – whether that’s going on a walk, reading a book, calling to talk to a friend – you will not be able to give your full self at work and give the best care you can to your patients and their families.”

She remains immensely thankful that she works in a faith-based hospital system.

“Our pastors are integral to the team here, and I know they provide a lot of comfort to patients and their families,” Hauntsman said.

KELLI R. HONEYCUTT COLLIER, BSN, RN – PELHAM MEDICAL CENTER

Kelli Honeycutt Collier works as a nurse manager for Pelham Medical Center, as well as in the facility’s intensive care unit and in central monitoring. She manages unit operations, reviews policies, manages expenses, coordinates staffing and advocates for patients, families and associates, among other duties.

Previously, Collier provided critical care in the ICU and primary bedside telemetry care, worked in the emergency room and handled pre-operative assessments for the postanesthesia care unit. She also has worked as a public health nurse for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, providing compassionate health care to underserved populations.

Collier has been a nurse for 12 years, after graduating from the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2010.

After seeing her mother’s nursing career – and the impact she made – Collier pursued nursing herself.

“My parents always instilled in me to be good to others, to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” Collier said. “As I got older, I realized the importance of all the lessons I had been taught. What better way to care and advocate for others than to be in the profession of nursing?”

KATHERINE HENDERSON, MSN, RN – UNION MEDICAL CENTER

Katherine Henderson works as a nurse at Union Medical Center, where she leads the nursing team. Through her leadership role, she is responsible for implementing processes to provide excellent patient care and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration.

Henderson also mentors and develops associates, optimizes systems and collaborates with associates to improve and promote a culture of service.

She previously worked as an Emergency Department director and in quality management and as a women’s and children’s nurse.

Henderson has been a nurse for 12 years. She received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Lander University and her master of science in nursing degree from Western Governors University. She said she first became a nurse to “serve people in their most vulnerable moments” and to “make a difference in others’ lives.”

MEGAN BURDETTE, BSN, RN SPARTANBURG MEDICAL CENTER

Megan Burdette works in Spartanburg Medical Center’s 28-bed inpatient neurological unit, where she oversees more than 50 associates as a nurse manager.

Burdette’s mother was a nurse for 35 years, and, initially, she disliked visiting her mom’s workplace. In college, Burdette began to think about the impact her mother made on the lives of children.

“Becoming a nurse has been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” she said.

Between formulating goal and action plans and managing daily clinical operations, she also empowers and encourages staff to provide evidence-based, patient-centered care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Burdette implemented staff education based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to ensure patient and staff safety, and she collaborated with hospital administration to convert the neurological unit for COVID-19 patient care.

She began her career as a night shift bedside nurse at Spartanburg Medical Center after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science in nursing degree in 2009.

KRYSTEL LYNN HANNON, BSN,RN RESTORATIVE & POST-ACUTE CARE

Krystel Lynn Hannon is a nurse at Spartanburg Regional Home Health, where she works as a case manager.

Hannon received her associate degree in nursing from Gardner-Webb University and obtained her bachelor of science in nursing from Limestone University. She has been a nurse for 11 years and has never wanted to do anything else.

“My dream was to become a nurse from the time I was a little girl until I graduated nursing school. I do believe nursing was my calling. I love being a nurse and caring for others,” Hannon said.

Outside of nursing, Hannon volunteers at the WinShape Foundation and Camp Tekoa.

KATHLEEN DUBOST, MMS, PA-C

Ever since Kathleen Dubost was little, she knew she wanted to help people. She said that another interest she always had was science. Now as a medical provider at iTrust Wellness, she assists her patients with medical treatment using evidence-based medicine while also focusing on their personal wellness.

“It is always interesting hearing about another’s life experience and what has shaped people. I enjoy teaching others and am a huge believer in wellness, none of which could be achieved without a healthy mind,” she said.

Dubost actually received her undergraduate degree in French, and she even worked in France, where she taught English, after earning her bachelor’s degree. When she moved back to the United States, she decided to pursue a career in health and wellness. She now provides family medicine, behavioral health and assists patients with Suboxone treatments.

She works to provide her clients with the best medical treatment using evidence-based medicine while also focusing on personal wellness.

CASSANDRA HAYES, APRN, MSN, FNP-C
Cassandra Hayes may have been destined for nursing based on her first name, which means “helper of mankind.” Now with iTrust Wellness Group in Greenville, which provides psychiatric medication management and therapy services for adolescents and adults, Hayes has certainly been able to live up to her namesake.“I wanted to be a nurse because I wanted to help people,” she confirmed.She worked for 10 years in hospice as an RN.“So many of my patients had mental health issues, in addition to end-of-life issues,” she explained. “This helped me to transition into my role as a nurse practitioner in the psychiatric specialty. I love working in psychiatry because the patients have so many different diagnoses and there is never a dull moment.”Her education background includes gaining her RN from Greenville Technical College and a master’s in nursing from Simmons University in Boston.Her advice for anyone wanting to become a nurse: “Care for the patient as if they were your own family. Also, work as hard as you can to advocate for your patients.”She added, “Life is short. Find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.”

JEANINE S. FEARON, LPN

Jeanine S. Fearon works for Kudzu Medical Staffing. She said that what she loves most
about her current position is the flexibility it affords her with her work/life balance.

“I have two children – an 8-year-old and 11-year-old – who both attend school in Greenville.
I spent years as a staff nurse with the psychiatric and geriatric population. I was even
a supervisor at different points in my career. It was very stressful. Kudzu has given me the
luxury to put my family first.”

Fearon moved to South Carolina from New York in 2013. She has worked in health care
for 20 years.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping and taking care of others. My most vivid memory of wanting to enter
health care was when my father was sick with colon cancer and he ultimately passed away,” she said.

Her advice for new nurses is to find the position that is right for them: “There are so many areas in nursing to
choose from. You will eventually find what works for your family and what’s best for your mental health.”

Fearon is working on her RN and BSN and plans to become self-employed with her own national provider
identifier number.

KERRY RANKIN, BSN, RN

Kerry Rankin developed her passion for nursing at a young age when her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer: “I was in elementary school, but I remember being overjoyed to help her in any way I could. Anything that made her feel better or helped her in some way, was a great feeling for me.”

Rankin graduated from Greenville Technical College in 1996 with an ADN in nursing. She recently received her BSN from Western Governors University.

She worked in the hospital setting for many years in the cardiac telemetry unit.

“I have always enjoyed learning about the heart and taking care of patients with cardiac issues. Helping patients better understand cardiac procedures and how to properly recover from them was always rewarding,” she reflected.

Rankin currently teaches health science at Anderson Institute of Technology.

“I have taught health science for 12 years, and I love watching students grow in knowledge. I like to think in some small way I help them find their passion,” she said.

STACY BAYNE, LPN II, AND OPERATIONS MANAGER AT KUDZU MEDICAL

What led Stacy Bayne to where she is today is a bit serendipitous. When Bayne was in 11th and 12th grades, she was encouraged by one of her teachers to be the leader for the Health Occupations Students of America. The organization’s mission is to develop compassionate, quality health care professionals by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill and leadership development.

Bayne was the South Carolina state president of the organization her senior year in high school. She also worked as a CNA in long-term care and as a personal care aide to a special needs child. Bayne obtained her LPN at age 21 and worked for a pediatric practice for the next 20 years.

“I came to know so many of the kids and their families in the community. It was so rewarding to work in the same community where my husband and I lived and raised our children.”

Bayne took a different career path in 2018 when she started her job as operations manager for Kudzu Medical. Like her role in high school with Health Occupations Students of America, Bayne has come back to what she loves, and now she helps candidates find careers in the medical field, as well as helping clients find the best possible employees to work in their facilities and practices.

“There are so many different opportunities in the nursing field and so many ways to use your nursing career to help people.”

JACLYN PURCELL, BSN, RN, CCRN

Life experiences contributed to Jaclyn Purcell’s interest in pursuing a career in nursing. For one, her sister experienced a horrible car accident when Purcell was young. She said her sister was in the hospital for several weeks and that when she came home, Purcell helped care for her while her parents were at work during the summer. In addition, Purcell later watched her grandmother battle terminal brain cancer.

“I watched the nurses care for my nana, and I loved seeing them have so much compassion for her. They gave her a dignified death and made the experience special to me. I knew I wanted to be there for others the way those nurses were there for us and my grandmother in such an intense time,” she said.

Now, as a critical care nurse for Bon Secours St. Francis, Purcell said that what drew her to that specialty was the fast-paced environment and being detail-oriented.

“I am always mesmerized by the most complex and intricate cases. Critical care can be a very emotional area for both patients and patient families,” she explained.

MANDY WILSON, LPN

Mandy Wilson has vast experience in different aspects of nursing. In her 16 years as a nurse, she has worked in the hospital setting, mental health and drug rehabilitation, as well as home health. She is now the wellness director at Oakview Park Senior Living.

“Nursing was a calling for me,” Wilson described. “I am passionate about helping others and helping families navigate the difficulties of today’s health care system.”

Her advice to new nurses is to be open-minded: “Be open to learning new things from everyone that crosses your path. Know that you will never know everything and that you can learn something from everyone.”

Wilson has two sons – Kalbe, age 21, who attends Clemson University, and Garrett, age 13, who attends Lakes and Bridges Charter School in Easley.

NANCY WARREN, BSN, RN

Nancy Warren’s career in nursing began in the NICU. For 12 years, she cared for newborns and taught parents how to care for their babies. Now she serves a very different population but still enjoys the “teaching” aspect of the medical field.

“I currently work with the homeless population. They have unique medical and teaching needs. It can be challenging, but we have a great team. Everyone has special gifts to serve this patient population,” she said.

Warren works as the Health Care for the Homeless program nurse patient care coordinator/educator for New Horizon Family Health Services.

Her advice to aspiring nurses: “Remember each patient is a unique individual. Meet the patient where they are to help build trust and hopefully increase compliance with medications, diet and needed lifestyle changes.”

TAMI GILBERT, BSN, RN

For Tami Gilbert, nursing was a calling. At a young age, she would pretend to feed her ailing great-grandfather, and, as she grew, she bandaged her Barbie dolls and even gave them pretend feeding tubes.

In high school, she became president of the Red Cross Club and got CPR certified. She also worked with the Special Olympics. When she received her RN, she started in the emergency room, then worked in home health and as a travel nurse. It was when she was living in Arkansas that she became aware of her true passion.

“I began working with medically fragile and special needs students at a school. I worked with these students for three years before moving back to South Carolina,” she explained. She was excited to be moving back home to the Palmetto State but sad to leave her students. She found her dream job at McCarthy Teszler School, a school for children with special needs.

“I am constantly challenged, but I feel like I am in heaven every day at work. I am surrounded by angels of all ages, sizes and abilities, and I love every one of them,” she said.

HEATHER JACKSON, RN, BSN, CCDS

A career in graphic design was where Heather Jackson was headed after graduating from college. She actually worked for the Greenville News when she decided to go back to school for nursing.

“I loved nursing immediately after getting in the program, and knew I was where I was meant to be,” she said. After several years in bedside nursing, Jackson learned about a different role in health care that piqued her interest – clinical documentation specialist.

“I took the job as a CDS at Spartanburg Regional and have really enjoyed reviewing patients’ medical records and doing my part to ensure that all the information is documented accurately with the severity of illness, which in turn improves patient care,” she explained.

Jackson is now certified as a clinical documentation specialist.

“If I could give any advice to an aspiring nurse, it would be to stay open-minded because you never know what opportunity lies around the corner,” she said.

KEELY INGRAHAM, MSN, RN

Keely Ingraham decided to pursue nursing after her father was diagnosed with esophageal cancer when she was 19 years old.

“I witnessed the excellent care given to my dad, and I wanted to be a part of that,” she said.

She has now worked as a nurse for six years, first in the Emergency Department and then in vascular access before she moved into oncology, which is where she is now.

“I’m new to oncology and still learning, but I’ve finally found where I’m supposed to be serving my community. It is such an honor to care for my patients, and I’m so grateful to be a part of their journey.”

Ingraham’s advice to new nurses: “Be compassionate. Take care of your patients and not just their diagnoses. Be the nurse you would want caring for you.”

KAREN BLAKE, RN

When Karen Blake looks back at what made her decide to become a nurse, one thing stands out: “I knew I wanted a career where I could help people.” And what better career than nursing to do just that.

She received her associate degree in nursing from Greenville Technical College, and now she works as a nurse patient care coordinator/educator for New Horizon Family Health Services.

“Nursing is a great way to help people when they need it most, and at New Horizon Family Health Services, there are so many different programs to help all the underserved people in our community,” she said.

Her advice to anyone who is considering a career in nursing is to keep focused and remember why you wanted to work in the field to begin with.

“The work is never going to be easy, but knowing you made a difference in someone’s life is such a great feeling,” she concluded.

PAM TOLLESON, RN

Pam Tolleson’s family was shocked when she decided to pursue nursing in college: “I wasn’t exactly the nurturing type, but I loved biology, so I decided to give it a try.”

She determined that she wanted to work in surgery after a few semesters of nursing school.

“I started right after graduation working in surgery and then went to work privately for an orthopedic surgeon, where I assisted him in surgery. I thrived in the fast pace and quick thinking that orthopedic trauma offered,” she said.

But caring for her three children called for a more standard schedule. An old friend encouraged her to look into being a school nurse.

“School nursing is so much more that putting on Band-Aids. I work in the high school my children attend and the high school I graduated from. I would have never believed that I would like school nursing as much as I do,” she said.

She concluded, “Nursing has so many opportunities. Find your niche, and the rewards will be numerous.”

KATIE STRAWHORN, RN, BSN

Katie Strawhorn started her nursing career in labor and delivery at Self Regional Healthcare. After she had her first daughter, she needed a different schedule because she had been working night shifts. She decided to give home health a try and applied for a job with Health Related Home Care, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I absolutely love home health. Seeing patients in the comfort of their own home is so rewarding. I get to know my patients, their families and their past medical history that led them to their current state of health. That helps you learn your patient as a true ‘whole,’” she explained.

For Strawhorn, becoming a nurse was something she wanted to do since she was a teenager.

“Nursing school was tough, but the reward at the end has been so worth it. There will always be a need for nursing. There are so many opportunities in the nursing profession. I believe every nurse’s role is equally as important as the other,” she said.

PORSHA DRAYTON, BSN, RN

It was Porsha Drayton’s mother who inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.

“I grew up watching her care for others, which led me into knowing that I wanted to spend my life caring for others as well,” she explained.

She wanted to get as much experience as possible, so when she was in high school, she took health science classes and participated in health science clubs. In her senior year, she received her CNA and worked as an intern at her pediatrician’s office.

She attended Piedmont Technical College and worked as a nurse extern in her final year. That allowed her to experience all aspects of nursing. Her first job was in the intensive care unit.

“I desired a nursing position that allowed me to get to know the patients and their families better,” she said.

She received a BSN from Chamberlain University, then started working for Health Related Home Care.

“I know this is where I need to be. I am establishing the relationships with patients that I desired, and I have a better understanding of them and what factors into their illnesses and treatments,” she said.

She concluded, “If nursing is what you are truly compassionate about, take advantage of all the opportunities to learn and grow.”

LESLIE TAYLOR, RN, BSN, COS-C

Leslie Taylor realized that nursing was the career for her while working in the laboratory at Greenwood Genetics Center.

“I became very interested in how genetics play a role in the disease process and clinically how to treat patients to provide them with a better quality of life,” she said.

She attended Lander University for nursing school. She said she remembers enjoying her community health clinical the most and that was how she became interested in home health.

“It was my favorite clinical. I was able to witness how nurses and therapists caring for a patient in their home could greatly improve their health and keep them from multiple hospitalizations,” she said.

She added that she believes in the power of home health and how it can help a patient do better with treatments.

“Home health is my passion because it helps patients stay in their homes and improves their quality of life. I am proud to be part of Health Related Home Care.”

Her advice to aspiring nurses is simple: “Study hard, listen to your instructors and don’t quit!”

ANN STEVENSON COOPER, RN

Ann Stevenson Cooper was always fascinated with her father’s stories about his experiences as a doctor. He was a general surgeon in Greenwood.

Cooper was a pre-med major at Clemson University at first but moved onto bio-engineering and ultimately graduated with a civil engineering degree because, “designing roads and working with dirt and water seemed more interesting to me at the time,” she said.

Before starting and raising a family, she worked for the South Carolina Department of Transportation for five years and ended up obtaining a master’s in transportation engineering.

After 11 years of being a stay-at-home mom, she followed her call to be a nurse. She began her career as a nurse on the heart floor at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and worked there for nine years. She then moved over to OB and has been there ever since.

“I have been so fortunate that I am still able to do a shift a month on the heart floor, too. I have also worked as needed at Baptist Easley in critical care for the last seven years. I can honestly say that I landed in my specialties by chance and timing and trusting God’s plan for my life, but I am so thankful for the variety and the opportunities that I have had in my nursing career and particularly the work families I have acquired through the journey,” she said.