A Nurse First

Daniel Suárez-Baquero is the person he is today because of his abuela. She inspired his dream to work in women's health, and modeling her courage, he became the first male nurse in birth and labor rooms in Colombia. Now his research focuses on reproductive justice in order to pay tribute and give back to the many women who built him.

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Cora O'Leary's research study on the challenges faced by nurses caring solo for children with complex healthcare needs led to recommendations for improvements in support and governance. With her study's findings in hand and national policy changes on the horizon, she crafted a new nursing role for herself as Ireland's first Clinical Practice Specialist. 

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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Though still very much a new member of Gamma Tau at-Large Chapter, Trish Eusala went all in, volunteering to lead as the chapter's Community Outreach Chair. The outcome? New connections, invaluable experiences, and unshakeable friendships across the nursing continuum.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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When Aron King shares that he is an assistant nurse manager, he knows questions are coming. Only 7% of nurses are Black and male so he gets, "How did you get into nursing?" a lot. Most don't mean it to be a microaggression, but regardless, it is. Through his research and community involvement, he's out to change the mold society has formed for healthcare workers.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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• Share your A Nurse First story

We hope you've enjoyed the past 10 episodes! We'll be back with more in February 2023.

Connect with Sigma:

• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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• Share your A Nurse First story

Melissa Sherman knew that helping her best friend with her end-of-life care would change her. She expected grief, in all its forms, but what she didn't see coming was an opportunity to change life and death for others.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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Facing down a certification exam day, Shanan Thode wrestled with self-doubt, fear, and dread. Needing some words of encouragement, she posted on The Circle, Sigma’s professional networking platform. Her anxiety told her no one would respond, but Sigma members showed up to prove her thoughts wrong.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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Losing both her parents at age 7 left Kathleen Eviza facing an uncertain future with her five siblings. Knowing her strong will and determination would take her to the places she dreamed of, she prioritized her education and career as a means to support her family, but as an adventurer at heart, she grew to realize she'd eventually have to leave them to find a new sense of home.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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On this special Founders Day episode, a chance encounter at a biennial convention leads to an unexpectedly deep friendship between Nancy Thompson and one of the women who gave life to Sigma 100 years ago.

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• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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It should have been a normal trip home up the 15 from the veteran hospital in Las Vegas. Maria VanHart was in vacation mode, excited to road trip to Indiana to see family. But a nurse is never really "off duty," and the scene along the highway brought the emergency room to her. 

Connect with Sigma:

• Tweet us at @SigmaNursing
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• Share your A Nurse First story