Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest is proud to acknowledge the critical care registered nurses provide our patients during National Nurses Week. As you will read in the vignettes from some of our nurses below, our nurses pair a caring heart with high quality health care skills to support our patients all year round.
Madison, Registered Nurse, Case Management
Madison has been working as a case management registered nurse for almost three years at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, and she received her degree in nurses from Point Loma Nazarene University.
“My favorite part of my job is talking to patients about things they don’t talk to other people about. I do telephonic triage nursing which adds a level of anonymity to conversations and I think when we can talk over the phone it allows the patient to be really honest. I enjoy that they feel comfortable talking to me about things that are scary for many people to talk about like their sex life or difficult times in their lives.”
One of Madison’s favorite parts of her job is helping get health insurance approval for patients seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy services.
“Insurance can be a barrier for our patients specifically those receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy services, and it can be a very long process getting a medication approved. When it is approved it’s a really satisfying feeling that the patient can finally have a little peace in their life and start or continue their transitioning process.”
Madison said she loves the variety nursing provides and the connection with patients.
“We can be emotional support and just listen to them because sometimes that’s just as important as telling them their diagnosis.”
Madison does quality assurance for the Case Management team. She hopes to go back to school so she can keep expanding at this role and continuing her career growth at Planned Parenthood. “I can’t see myself working anywhere else. Working at Planned Parenthood is definitely the spot.”
Amanda, Registered Nurse, Survical Services
Amanda is a registered nurse at Planned Parenthood who supports patients before, during, and after they have a surgical abortion. “The most meaningful part of my work is the patient connection. We can give that human touch and supportive understanding, and make them feel safe and secure. So many patients say, ‘Thank you for making me feel cared for.’ ”
Amanda earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Imperial Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from San Diego State University.
The fact that many of the patients at Imperial Valley Health Center come from as far away as Arizona and Needles, California, gives Amanda a lot of satisfaction. “We’re an oasis in the desert for so many people.”
“I am glad to be able to provide the education and follow-up that our patients need. Everyone leaves with birth control, and it makes me happy that I can help answer their questions about the best birth control decision for their lifestyle.”
Amanda said she is also grateful to work for a high quality health care provider like Planned Parenthood that can offer the full variety of IUD options and financial assistance for people who are coming from out of state. In California, Family PACT covers most reproductive health services.
“I’ve always believed in the mission at Planned Parenthood. I was a patient before I was an employee. I was a poor college student making minimum wage, and I was able to get care at Planned Parenthood. I got a Pap test from a nurse practitioner with a nose ring, and right then, I knew this was a place I would love to work.”
Alicia, Registered Nurse, Case Management
Case management nurse Alicia has been working for Planned Parenthood for a year and a half. As a registered nurse, Alicia spends her days talking to patients over the phone about lab results from STI testing, Pap tests, breast exams, and more. She and the other Case Management nurses also triage patient concerns after a procedure at one of our health centers. Alicia helps patients get follow-up appointments, and provides sexual and reproductive health education and information.
She is part of a 12-person team that supports our patients both before and after they receive care at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
“I like educating women about their options and how to take care of themselves and their bodies. I get to create a safe space for people to share their personal health information. This is definitely my dream job working for an iconic health care provider whose mission I wholeheartedly believe in.”
Alicia received a degree from San Diego State University in Women’s Studies before getting her nursing degree.
“There is nothing else I would rather do than be a case management nurse. I feel like I’m making a positive impact on my community.”
Tags: nurses