Nurses Week: Patti D.

In hon­or of Nurs­es Week, we’re get­ting to know the nurs­es who help make QMG spe­cial. Today, we’re spot­light­ing Pat­ti D. 

1. What’s your role at QMG? Coor­di­na­tor of the GI Depart­ment for the past 17 years and pri­ma­ry RN for Dr. Barba­gio­van­ni II for the past 22 years.

2. What inspired you to become a nurse? My moth­er worked at St. Mary’s Hos­pi­tal when I was younger. When I vis­it­ed the hos­pi­tal, I wit­nessed the nuns and nurs­es car­ing for patients and show­ing com­pas­sion, car­ing, and under­stand­ing to every­one. This inspired me to try being a CNA when it became time to decide my future. I want­ed to help people.

3. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse? I enjoy help­ing my patients and build­ing relationships.

4. What advice would you give some­one just start­ing out in nurs­ing? Nurs­ing is very chal­leng­ing and can be very reward­ing. Be ready to expe­ri­ence some hard times, but remem­ber the good times will out­weigh the hard. Remem­ber, it is okay to cry and to laugh. It will be as ful­fill­ing as you make it!

5. What are you most proud of in your career so far? I have worn many hats in nurs­ing, from CNA to LPN to RN. I have had great expe­ri­ences in nurs­ing homes, the hos­pi­tal, and the QMG clin­ic. There are so many great expe­ri­ences, it is hard to pick just one.

Quick takes from Patti: 

6. Cof­fee, tea, or some­thing else to get you through the day? Cof­fee to start the day, then self-motivation.

7. What is your go-to snack dur­ing a shift? Peanut butter.

8. What role do you usu­al­ly play on your team? I am a prob­lem solver, the one with a sense of humor, and very expres­sive — the glue that holds the GI Depart­ment together.