Her Story
About Gabriela
Gabriela Oleaga serves as a cardiac nurse in the coronary care ICU, where she manages complex patients with conditions such as heart attacks, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, and those requiring continuous monitoring and specialized interventions including chest tubes and open-heart procedures. She has been in the healthcare field since 2022, following prior roles as a CNA and medical assistant, and holds an RN credential along with CNA, BLS, and ACLS certifications. Oleaga earned a bachelor's degree in nutritional science, a bachelor's degree in nursing, and an associate's degree. She received four awards during nursing school including the Jackson Health Dedicated Education Unit Scholarship, North Dade Medical Scholarship, Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship, home health aid scholarship, and a full Florida Bright Future scholarship. She maintains memberships in SEIU and the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and has volunteered with the NAMI walk in Miami-Dade for mental health awareness. Her current specialty is cardiac critical care, though her long-term passion lies in mental health, and she attributes her success to curiosity, resilience, and learning to work with her brain following an adult ADHD diagnosis while drawing inspiration from her mother's experiences.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gabriela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity and learning to work with my brain instead of fighting against it, especially after my adult ADHD diagnosis. I've always wanted to understand how things work, whether the human body, nutrition, psychology, or people's experiences. I stay resilient and committed to lifelong learning, inspired by seeing my mom struggle with undiagnosed ADHD.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay curious and never stop learning because healthcare is constantly evolving. Your first career path doesn't have to be your last, and it's okay to pivot. Stop measuring your success by someone else's definition of success. Build a life that aligns with your strengths, values, and purposes.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can do it if this is what you really want. Don't confuse being different with being less capable. Your differences may allow you to solve problems and make an impact in ways no one else can. Be patient with yourself, take time learning, and start off building blocks rather than shooting into a crazy environment. Give yourself grace, ask questions, and never be afraid to keep learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include caring for people in complex situations with staffing shortages, burnout, night shifts taking a toll, and high stress environments. Opportunities lie in encouraging understanding of patients and team members, and transitioning between specialties like from cardiac to psych based on passion.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion is key, treating everyone with dignity and hearing them, as if caring for family. Growth through continuous learning and evolving. Curiosity guides major decisions.
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