Job: Registered nurse on the orthopedic floor at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge.
What I do: "I mostly receive surgical patients from the recovery unit, who may have just had a total joint replacement."
How I got into this: "Throughout nursing school, I worked for a local orthopedic office, and loved the physician I worked under. The physician would allow me to observe his exams and explain and interpret any MRI or other diagnostic test presented. I absolutely loved the experience and when I was presented with the opportunity to work on an orthopedic floor, I took it."
Best part of the job: "My job is very rewarding. I get to see patient's progress — from learning to stand up and walk again on a surgical leg, to walking around the unit and climbing stairs.
“Some patients have a longer rehabilitation than others, and I have even gotten emotional simply watching a patient do her exercises because I had watched her progress over weeks. When I get to see and hear of the impact that I have had on a patient’s progress and rehabilitation, the feeling is overwhelming.”
Most challenging part: "Time management. Some days it is so hard to find the time to do everything I need to within a 12-hour shift. There are days I seem to run all day long, but somehow the job always gets done."
What people don't know about my job: "My job can be very difficult at times. I never understood what it meant to work long, hard hours until I became a nurse. Although I don't eat lunch every day at noon nor do I get scheduled breaks, I wouldn't trade my job for any other."
What keeps me going: "Patient satisfaction and progression are what always seem to keep me going from day-to-day. All it takes is that one moment with a patient when he/she smiles or thanks me for simply doing my job; that just makes it all worthwhile."
Preparation needed: "Lots and lots and lots of schooling. It seemed like I would never graduate from college and receive my bachelor's degree, but I did and now I am looking into going back to school to further my career."
Salary: The median salary for a registered nurse in Atlanta is $65,757, according to salary.com.
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Compiled by John Brieske, Pulse managing editor. Got a health care job that you love? Please send email to jbrieske@ajc.com.
