Her Story
About Erika
Erica Johnson has been nursing for over 20 years, gaining experience in diverse areas such as labor and delivery, GI work, and OR circulating. She attended Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, while balancing full-time work and studies. Johnson attributes her professional success to a commitment to lifelong learning, regularly pursuing classes and courses and taking on roles like charge nurse or supervisor to broaden her knowledge and skills. She values building comfort with patients by also engaging their families, and she recalls impactful advice from a veteran nurse named Valerie emphasizing the reward of helping bring new life into the world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erika
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've just tried to be successful in a way that I never stop learning. I always want to learn something new and experience different things. If there's a class or course, I want to be a part of that. I've always tried to step into roles like charge nurse or supervisor to learn more and increase my knowledge.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A veteran nurse named Valerie with 15-20 years experience told me that anything you do, look at it as you're doing something for someone else, bringing a new life into the world, and that is the most rewarding feeling you could ever have. She was right, it's amazing to help get that baby here.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I always tell women and new people thinking about entering nursing school, don't go into it knowing that it can be difficult and hard, but at the same time in the end overall it's worth it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The toughest thing I'm facing is that in 2018 I was diagnosed with kidney disease, so I'm still trying to work while dealing with my own illness which has been difficult on certain days, but I'm surviving and making it through. I try to be honest with employers about doctor's appointments and they have been understanding.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Overall in both, I enjoy working not only with the patients but interacting with their family as well. If the family is comfortable with you then typically the patient is going to be comfortable with you as well. I enjoy my family, I love my family, and I have a daughter who is my joy, my light, my life. I love her with everything I have.
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