Her Story
About Vanessa
Vanessa Maxwell is a registered nurse with 23 years of experience in healthcare, including 15 to 16 years in her specialty of wound ostomy care. She serves in an acute care setting at a small community hospital located near Memphis, where she is the only wound care nurse on staff. In addition to her hospital role, she provides consulting services for wound and ostomy care. Vanessa earned her master's degree after becoming a first-generation college student, fulfilling a dream of becoming a registered nurse that began in the eighth grade. She pursued specialized training by attending Emory University's wound ostomy continence program in 2010, completing clinical requirements and sitting for certification in 2012, which she renews every five years. Her professional background includes receiving the Power of One Award and a Daisy Award, and she maintains membership in the CA to 5 sorority.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents and my grandparents, just always wanting to make them proud. Becoming a registered nurse was my dream since the 8th grade, and it made me want to continue to learn and find my niche.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice came from a compliment by the wound care nurse when I was still a bedside nurse, commending my care, kindness, and compassion, and seeing my passion and eagerness to learn.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Please come, I'll mentor you. It's a female-dominated role. If you do something that you love doing, you'll never spend a day at work. If you do your best, no one can ask you to do it over.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the generational gap between Generation X and Generation Z in care, kindness, compassion, and communication. The biggest opportunity is to mentor and guide new nurses, be a preceptor, and encourage them so they succeed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, loyalty, and being intentional.
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