Hello! My name is Sandy, and this April will be my three-year mark as a nurse here on 7 North. I graduated from Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing in 2019 and started working here as a new grad. I have always known I wanted to be a nurse, as I love being able to help and connect with people.
What is the most rewarding part of being a transplant nurse?
Nursing has many rewarding aspects, but if I chose one, it would be seeing our transplant patients get back on their feet right after surgery.
My team does a fantastic job ensuring our patients know what is happening through constant education and reassurance. From the moment the patient comes to our floor till the day they go home, we teach our patients what is expected of them, providing support and encouragement. It amazes me when I see someone out of bed post-op day one, walking as if they did not just have surgery. Some patients may need an extra push, but their determination helps them improve.
Once transplanted, patients no longer have to go to hemodialysis three times a week, lasting 3-5 hours of their day. They can now live a more "normal" life, spending more time with their loved ones and doing things they enjoy. Witnessing our patients' progress throughout their transplant journey, essentially having a new beginning, and the immense happiness they feel makes everything we do worth it.
What is the most challenging part of being a transplant nurse?
When things do not go as planned regarding the transplant process, sometimes patients get admitted in the middle of the night after receiving a call about a potential transplant but are sent back home. It is always hard, but our job as their nurse is to provide reassurance and advocate for them. There are always risks when it comes to surgery, so we make sure that our patients know what to look out for so that if there is ever an issue, we can detect them early and treat the problem. We monitor our patients exceptionally closely, so if there are any sudden changes, we contact our providers and try to find a solution immediately.
What myths about transplants would you like to dispel?
People can still live everyday healthy life with one kidney! Your body can function just as well with one kidney. Living donors are crucial. Receiving a kidney from a living donor has benefits, such as immediate kidney function, a shorter wait time, and longer survival rates. As for the donors, they will get priority if they need a kidney transplant later in life. The surgery is done laparoscopically with three small incisions on the stomach and usually leaves after 1-2 days of hospital stay. There are many reasons why someone would donate, whether to a family member, friend, or a simple act of giving. No matter the reason, the gift of donating a kidney will forever change the lives of the donor, recipient, and their families. We thank our donors for their generosity and act of courage.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I will still be on 7N for the next five years. Like how my seniors mentored and shaped me into the nurse I am today, I would like to reciprocate that to our new Nurses. I work with the best team, and I only want to continue to provide our patients with the excellent care we are known for. Our unit can be chaotic, but how we work together is outstanding. I want to thank our clerks, environmental services, nurse's aides, nurses, and PCD. Amazing things do happen here on 7N!