Akron Life November 2022

CAMEOS OF CARING

TERRI L . ALEXANDER Summa Health, Akron campus, Registered Nurse EDUCATION: Associate degree

every day and the challenge that comes with finding ways to help the patients who need more than just medicine to feel better. Caring for patients at the bedside is a different job every day because the needs of our patients are so diverse. It means a lot to me that I get to be a part of their journeys and that maybe I helped make them feel less alone or scared or helped them take charge of the unknown by helping them understand it a little better.

in nursing, Stark State College; licensed practical nurse, Akron School of Practical Nursing; Progressive Care Certified Nurse

CINDY CARTER Western Reserve Hospital, Registered Nurse EDUCATION: Associate degree, Stark State College

HONORS & AWARDS:

Daisy Award nominee and

recipient, Care Beyond Award, Barbra Donaho Leadership Award, Summa Preceptor Award

HONORS & AWARDS: Nursing Excellence Award recipient, secretary of Nurse Council 2020-present

Why did you become a nurse? TERRI L. ALEXANDER: When I was 11 years old, I came across an old anatomy book that belonged to my great-grandmother. I opened it to a page that showed the anatomy of the lungs and thought, This is the coolest thing I have ever seen! I was hooked. I graduated from the same LPN school that my great grandmother did, and for a time, our class pictures hung in the same hallway at the school. Share a story about a special patient or situation. TA: So many come to mind over 27 years. I suppose the one that stands out was when I was a new nurse. I worked on a stepdown unit for open-heart patients, and I was taking care of an elderly woman who had a stroke post-open-heart surgery. She was this wonderful person with a personality and social calendar to match. Her stroke left her with some pretty significant deficits, and I often found myself feeling so sad for her and asking myself, Why? a lot. To me, this seemed so life changing and insurmountable, and she never once let it show that she was discouraged. She just kept trying. A few months later I see this woman walking toward me from the opposite end of the hall — walking and smiling. I was so happy and so stunned and just could not believe my eyes. She was so happy with the care she received and the progress she’d made and wanted to share it with our unit. It was a great moment. Share your feelings about your profession, community or professional activities. TA: I love that I get to be a part of a team that helps people

Why did you become a nurse?

CINDY CARTER: I come from a family of nurses — my mom, aunt, grandmother. We did hospice care at home with my grandparents. I want patients to be able to die with dignity. What is the most satisfying part of your career? CC: Teaching new nurses. I enjoy precepting immensely. Comforting patients and their families, but most importantly, educating patients. Share a story about a special patient or situation. CC: I took care of a young man who was chronically sick for many years. I took care of him until his death. He asked me who the night nurse would be. He told me I was his favorite nurse and that he wanted to die on my shift. He wanted me to prepare his body after death to be seen by his family for the last time. He died at the end of my shift. I stayed over to respect and honor his request. Share your feelings about your profession, community or professional activities. CC: I never felt more appreciated as a nurse than when I worked

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