It's National Nurses Week and the RVNA is putting a spotlight on their talented nursing staff!
Meet Erin O'Rourke. Erin has been a nurse for 12 years, and part of the RVNA family for almost nine of them. Lucky for us, her career plans changed in college, leading her to nursing — a perfect fit for her dedication, warmth, and sense of humor. Learn a little more about Erin and what makes her tick.
Where did you grow up?
Mt Kisco, NY
When did you decide you wanted to become a nurse?
I grew up wanting to be a doctor but was scared off by freshmen chem class at Holy Cross (college). On the morning of graduation with a degree in English Literature, I decided I needed to go to nursing school, so I went to get a second bachelor’s degree at NYU.
What is your favorite part of nursing?
Making connections with patients and their families. In home health care, you can have the same patient for years or see them intermittently. It’s nice to see the continuum of care.
An artist or professional athlete…. Or a cake decorator. Still time, though….
What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Tire out my 9- and 6-year-old boys before they tire me out! Or hide from them. It depends on the day.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Share it with all the RVNA nurses and therapists I work with. Then hit the road and travel to all the places on my “have to see list,” starting with the Grand Canyon.
Do you have a favorite nursing moment or story to share?
I once walked into the room of a patient who had a trach (tracheostomy) and was on a ventilator. I was new to nursing and very early on in my first pregnancy. She told me I looked tired. I couldn’t believe it and still take away that, no matter how sick or down our patients are, they are always very attuned to what we put out there.
Learn more about the RVNA here.