Her Story
About Donna
I've been in nursing for 44 years, and in that time I've pretty much done it all. I started with a solid foundation in hospital med-surg, which I believe is essential for any nurse. Throughout my career, I've worked in orthopedics, wound care, and served as an educator and Director of Nursing. I taught nursing and worked extensively in the hospital setting. More recently, I worked with complex wounds for about 6 years, which I would say is my favorite area - I really loved working in the hospital with complex wounds. After that, I served as Director of Clinical Reimbursement before deciding to go out on my own. Now my career is winding down, and I work as an individual consultant with private clients on software implementation. The challenges I face are just keeping up with industry changes - there's always changes, and I love change. It keeps me on my toes. My approach to nursing has always been grounded in integrity, empathy, and attention to detail, and I believe that caring and empathy are essential - if you don't have those, it's just the wrong field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Donna
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The opportunities are endless in nursing. I would strongly recommend that people get a solid year or two in the hospital for med-surg experience before they pursue any other avenue of nursing - I think that's the foundation from which we build. As a new nurse coming out of school, it's important to find a mentor that you really trust, that will allow you to take what information you've learned in school and apply it. Throughout your career, you'll adopt different personalities or different ways of doing things - you'll take a little something from each person that was a mentor to them to develop and become your own strong self. I think applying that information to what you've learned is important, but so much really relies on caring and empathy. If you don't have caring and empathy, it's just the wrong field for them.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Just keeping up with industry changes - there's always changes, and I love change. So, I find it keeps me on my toes.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is number one for me, for sure. I believe in being very honest and upfront. Education and making sure that people understand is also a terrible part of what I do. Professionally, my top three values are integrity, empathy, and attention to detail.
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