Every year from May 6th to 12th, nurses are lauded for their unwavering service to caring for others and their invaluable contributions through National Nurses Week.
LiveOnNY applauds the commitment and sacrifices nurses make every day. They are essential members of our healthcare workforce who provide treatment through every stage of life, caring for patients at their most physically and emotionally vulnerable moments. Without question, the impact nurses make across the healthcare ecosystem is unparalleled.
To honor and appreciate all those in the nursing profession who advocate for every single patient and work tirelessly to improve public health systems, we took the time to speak with some of our very own to discuss their path to nursing. From executive leaders in the boardroom to transplant coordinators out in the field, LiveOnNY is privileged to work alongside the nurses on our team, as well as the nurses in our hospitals. We could not do what we do without their commitment to helping others live on through organ and tissue donation.
Inspiration In All Forms
People are driven to a career in nursing for many reasons — whether it’s a family connection or a life-altering experience. For Beth Bochner, BSN, RN, CPTC, MHA, Clinical Manager at LiveOnNY, the inspiration to become a nurse was in her DNA.
“My grandfather was a physician, and my grandmother was his nurse. Not only that my mother, sister and niece are also nurses.” So, for Beth, deciding to become a travel nurse was a no-brainer. “I became a travel nurse because I wanted to use the experiences and travel to grow in my career.”
LiveOnNY Transplant Coordinator, RN, BSN, CPTC, Liz Vargas-Colon, also knew at a young age she was interested in becoming a doctor or nurse, but it was a childhood health scare that set her on the path.
“When I was 9 years old, I was hospitalized for a possible brain tumor,” said Liz. “Thankfully, it turned out to be a virus in the optic nerve. While in the hospital, I was surrounded by so many amazing nurses that made me feel at home. Ultimately, they become my inspiration to become a nurse.”
Real-world experience was the inspiration for John D’Abbraccio, RN, MSN, SVP, Chief Administrative Officer at LiveOnNY. “When I was in college, I volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Stony Brook University. When I transported patients to the emergency room, I observed and appreciated all the amazing clinical care that nurses provided patients. I knew from those experiences, that’s what I wanted to do.”
The Value of Transferable Skills
Management. Customer service. Quick thinking. Compassion. These are just a handful of the transferable skills nurses acquire over the course of their professional lives — a huge benefit for those exploring new career opportunities.
For example, as a Chief Administrative Officer, John continues to tap into his nursing skills to be successful in his leadership role. “Being a nurse has taught me to multitask, triage and prioritize my work as an administrator. It has also helped me to remain calm and focused when working under pressure,” said John. “Being able to communicate with all of our staff and work together is fundamental to getting things done timely and efficiently.”
The skills learned in nursing prove extremely useful in adjusting to roles outside of bedside care. As a result, the paths available to nursing professionals are endless.
Learning Never Stops
At its core, LiveOnNY is dedicated to continuous learning because when you’re not learning, you’re not growing. No matter your role or title, LiveOnNY ensures each employee is given ample opportunity to expand their skillset and broaden their perspectives.
“You can do so many things at LiveOnNY as a nurse. I always say to those who just joined, being at LiveOnNY is not just a new nursing job it’s a career because there are so many pathways you can take,” said Beth. “Typically, in nursing, you go from one hospital to another, doing only hospital-based tasks. At LiveOnNY, however, there are opportunities to apply your existing skillset and grow at the same time. For example, one of the projects I’m excited for is learning more about how to change legislation in New York to support our mission — something I never would have thought I could do as a nurse.”
“LiveOnNY has given me so much hands-on experience,” said Liz. “I know more about dosages of medication, managing lines, drawing blood, managing ventilators, and managing critical care patients.”
For John, LiveOnNY’s lifesaving purpose is a lesson he honors every day. “LiveOnNY has helped me learn more about the organ and tissue donation process, including all of the logistics that require team work to make the gift of life happen,” said John. “We work together as an entire organization to help drive our mission by honoring, changing, and saving lives.”
Beth, Liz, and John are just a handful of nurses who are part of LiveOnNY that inspire us every day, and the work they do to save lives is invaluable. Their specialized skills and capabilities — from teamwork to empathy and flexibility — are essential to our success.
To join the team and say “I am LiveOnNY” visit LiveOnNY.org/careers
