It's National Nurses Week! Meet Danbury Resident and RVNA Nurse Jackie Belowich

It's National Nurses Week and the RVNA is putting a spotlight on their talented nursing staff! Meet Jackie Belowich.

Jackie knows her way around the medical profession for sure. Although she became a nurse four years ago, she’s been in the medical field for more than 15 years. RVNA has been lucky to have her for the last three of those years! See how a part-time job in college led her to the profession she considers a calling.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Smithtown on Long Island but grew up in the Danbury area.

When did you decide you wanted to become a nurse?
It was a part-time job in college that convinced me to be a nurse. I was pre-med and got a job in a doctor’s office as a medical assistant. I worked at the practice for a long time. It was a great job with wonderful doctors, but it made me realize that what I wanted was to spend more time with the patients – to have a more personal relationship with them. Nursing lends itself to that.

What is your favorite part of nursing?
The personal relationship I have with my patients and knowing that I help them with what I do. It’s an honor to be a nurse. It’s a lot of work, but it’s an honor

If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be?
I honestly can’t picture being anything else. It’s a calling. It’s not an easy job — you really have to want to do it – but for me, there’s nothing else.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
I love to spend time with my girls – they’re 7 and 2.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Travel for sure. After that, even if I didn’t have to work, I’d still be a nurse. But I’d volunteer my time, and not get paid.

Do you have a favorite nursing moment or story to share?
I had a patient who was diabetic and wheelchair-bound and had serious complications as a result. I cared for her almost every day. A while later, I went to visit her. As I was on my way out the door, I heard her say to her daughter, “I would never have made it through the last 6 months without Jackie. I wouldn’t have survived.” I really didn’t feel like I did anything major for her. But it showed me that, even when you don’t realize it, you have an impact.

Learn more about the RVNA here.

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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