The Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) marked National Nurses Week in May by asking the center’s nurses to share their stories around why they became nurses and what is most rewarding about their work. The four submissions received are highlighted below. As part of the call for stories, YCSC Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tara Davila, LCSW wrote, “Please know how much you are appreciated and valued as members of our community!”
Kathy Koenig, MSN, APRN, Child Study Center Developmental Disabilities Clinic and Outpatient Clinic; Director of S.E.L.F., a recreational program for girls/teen girls with autism spectrum disorder
How long have you been at YCSC? 26 years
Why did you choose nursing as a profession? I chose nursing for many reasons but a prominent one was my interest in the mind-body connection and how I might help others to find health through exploring this connection.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a nurse at the CSC? The most rewarding thing is seeing children and families find relief from their pain and hope for their future and working with such thoughtful and generous colleagues.
What advice would you offer for anyone considering becoming a psychiatric nurse? My thoughts for those considering psychiatric nursing as a profession are based in ancient Greek wisdom: "know thyself."
Jin Ju (Jen) Lee, APRN, PMHNP-BC, IICAPS, OPC, GSHP (Grief-Sensitive Healthcare Project)
How long have you been at YCSC? 8 years
Why did you choose nursing as a profession? I chose this profession due to the love I developed working with children and adolescents and recognizing the factors that could contribute to their general functioning.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a nurse at the CSC? The most rewarding thing about being a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at CSC is the context in which I am able to work. I so value community-based interventions and through the work in IICAPS, I have been able to provide both therapy and med management to at risk families and do so in a way that includes all aspects of their life: their immediate family, school, and community.
What advice would you offer for anyone considering becoming a psychiatric nurse? Advice for anyone considering becoming a PMHNP would be to consider self-reflection and being comfortable having authentic insight into themselves. The work can be so challenging, and it ultimately asks so much of you - so knowing and understanding yourself is essential in order to be fully present for the interactions you will have.
Christopher McGirr, PMHNP-BC, Outpatient Clinic
I have been lucky to experience and learn different cultural aspects of my colleagues and families, varying family styles, and a multitude of hopes and dreams, as well as feeling struggles and sorrows.
Christopher McGirr, PMHNP-BC
How long have you been at YCSC? 11 years
Why did you choose nursing as a profession? I chose to become a nurse practitioner because I felt that it gave me the best opportunity to connect with patients. This work centers around connection and my core belief in advocating healthy living lies in listening, earning trust, and making impactful recommendations that my families can believe in. I feel I have honed this facet through my nurse practitioner training and experience.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a nurse at the CSC? The most rewarding aspects about being a nurse practitioner at the CSC has been the lasting impact that the families I have worked have made on me and the multitude of learning opportunities I have been afforded. I have been lucky to experience and learn different cultural aspects of my colleagues and families, varying family styles, and a multitude of hopes and dreams, as well as feeling struggles and sorrows. I have also worked alongside experienced clinicians, and their friendly collaboration has given me multiples ways of providing care to patents while vastly expanding my clinical toolbox. This is all valuable experience that I can pass on to help families as I continue to evolve as a practitioner.
What advice would you offer for anyone considering becoming a psychiatric nurse? My advice to anyone who would like to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner would be to be mindful of boundaries and your time. This work, while incredibly rewarding, is also emotionally intense. Take time for yourself and be ok with saying ‘no’. You can better help people when you are feeling your best.
Jessica Johnson, DNP, PMHNP-BC, TS/OCD Clinic/Outpatient Clinic
How long have you been at YCSC? 4 months
Why did you choose nursing as a profession? I chose to become a nurse practitioner because I want to serve as a leader for fellow nurses and other health professionals, as well as to address the burden that mental illness takes on children and families.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a nurse at the CSC? The CSC offers various opportunities for individuals to expand and advance their career goals, while providing a supportive and trusting network of colleagues that work together to provide the best possible services to patients.
What advice would you offer for anyone considering becoming a psychiatric nurse? My advice for those considering becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner is to recognize that there is a great demand for the mental health services we provide and in turn, the time and effort that needs to be put into the job is immense. At the same time, watching children and families heal from the care you provide is beyond rewarding.