Stephanie Rodriguez, RN
Stephanie Rodriguez is a dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse based in the United States, currently serving at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Her journey to becoming a pediatric oncology nurse began in childhood, inspired by a deep desire to work in healthcare. A pivotal moment came in high school when she took an Introduction to Health Careers class taught by Registered Nurse Iris Hartsock, who became one of her first mentors. The loss of a close friend to leukemia solidified Stephanie’s calling to pediatric oncology, setting the foundation for a career devoted to caring for children and their families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
As the first person in her family to attend and graduate college and the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, Stephanie navigated the educational system with determination. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature, then worked as a community health worker researching adverse childhood experiences and social determinants of health. Driven by a desire for more hands-on patient care, she returned to nursing school at age 26 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2020. Today, Stephanie provides comprehensive care to pediatric oncology patients, guiding newly diagnosed families, coordinating appointments, updating treatment plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic patient care. She believes in honest communication, empowering her patients and their families with knowledge and hope even on the most difficult days.
Beyond her clinical work, Stephanie is deeply committed to community engagement and inspiring others. She has volunteered for over 13 years as a Wish Granter with Make-A-Wish New Mexico, helping children and families experience moments of joy and hope. She is also passionate about mentorship, aiming to inspire young women, particularly Latina girls, to pursue their dreams in healthcare and beyond. Through her dedication, Stephanie not only provides exceptional nursing care but also serves as a role model, demonstrating the power of resilience, representation, and compassionate leadership.
• Registered Nurse
• The University of New Mexico - BSN
• The University of New Mexico - BA, Spanish Language and Literature
• Make-A-Wish New Mexico
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible children I care for as a pediatric oncology nurse. Seeing their resilience, courage, and determination inspires me every day to give my best, and it reminds me that they too can achieve anything they set their minds to. My patients motivate me to lead by example, show them what is possible, and demonstrate that there are no limits to what one can accomplish in life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always believe in yourself. Trusting in your skills, instincts, and perseverance has guided me through challenging moments in my career, from navigating rigorous nursing programs to caring for critically ill patients. Believing in myself has allowed me to embrace opportunities, advocate confidently for my patients, and pursue my goals with resilience, even when the path seemed uncertain.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you have your why, why you became a nurse, why you came to whichever specialty you came to, you need to hold on to that on your hard days. And on your best days, you need to take whatever thankfulness, whatever words of kindness or encouragement patients give you, and keep storing those away for the days that it gets hard. Some days are really beautiful, and some days truly make you question why you ever started. It's being able to take care of yourself and get through those hard days that will help you maintain a long-standing career. There's so much I wish I could tell students or the new nurses that they have no idea yet because they just got here, but holding onto your why is the biggest thing I would tell them.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in nursing today is managing burnout, which affects both the well-being of healthcare professionals and the quality of patient care. Long hours, emotional intensity, and the constant demands of caring for critically ill patients can take a significant toll, making it essential to find balance and support systems. At the same time, this challenge presents an opportunity to advocate for healthier work environments, implement strategies that promote resilience, and foster a culture where self-care and teamwork are prioritized. By addressing burnout proactively, we can ensure that nurses remain engaged, supported, and able to provide the highest standard of care to patients and their families.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith and my family have always gotten me through the hardest of times, including COVID, nursing school, and feeling lost in my own journey in life. My family and my faith have always anchored me to remember who I am and why I'm doing or pursuing the things that I pursue. As far as my values at work, I feel that it's extremely important, especially because I do take care of kids that have cancer, to just be completely honest with them. I've learned these kids, no matter their age, they're not dumb. They truly understand so much more than you could imagine. Instead of talking to them like a baby who doesn't know what we're saying, I believe in just being honest and acknowledging when things are hard. On the days that everything sucks and it's not going great, I acknowledge it and say, yeah, this does suck, but if you can give me 10%, I'll give you 90%, and we'll meet again tomorrow. I'll do what I can for you, and you need to keep fighting for you and for your family too.