WakeMed Health and Hospitals

"If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life."

This is Florence's motto, and the perpetual smile on her face tells you she lives it. Before becoming a nurse, Florence worked in WakeMed Raleigh Campus Surgical Services as a scrub technician. But, as a single mom with several mouths to feed at home, she knew she needed to better herself to provide a bright future for her family.

In 1994 Florence began to take classes to become an RN and was pleased with the support she received from the WakeMed Raleigh Campus OR team. "They offered me the flexibility to work around my classes so I could maintain a full course load and work full-time. It was tough, but I did it."

Once she became an RN, Florence joined the OR nursing team in WakeMed Raleigh Campus Surgical Services, even returning to the cardiovascular OR team. It is like a family in hearts. We are very diverse people and we know how to work together. We are very at ease with each other, which is important in a fast-paced environment.

In addition to the diversity among staff members, Florence also thrives on the diverse patients they care for. We treat people from all walks of life and the physicians, nurses, techs, everybody treats each patient with respect and dignity.

As a long-time nurse, Florence also works as a preceptor, orienting new RNs to the Raleigh Campus OR. I want nurses who are new to our area to tell me what they need from me. Some have experience and some don't, so we try to provide the right orientation for each one.

In her many years with WakeMed Raleigh Campus Surgical Services, Florence has developed great insights on what it takes to be a successful nurse in an OR of a Level 1 Trauma hospital: You learn how to prioritize your care. Time management is key; there are no wasted motions. You have to enjoy what you do and be comfortable with and confident in yourself. Support from your team is right there for you, so don't be afraid to ask for help. We couldn't do our jobs without each other.

Florence Barrow

RN

WakeMed Raleigh Campus

Surgical Services

(Heart & Vascular)

Years as RN: Since 1996

Years with WakeMed: 33

"When I was interviewing at WakeMed, everyone was really nice. It felt like they related to me. But it's hard to judge an OR staff's personality from an interview. Three months into my job, I still have that good feeling that I made the right choice."

Friends and family in the area brought Alex Bockowski to Raleigh from Florida, where she worked in an OR at a Level 1 Trauma hospital – like the WakeMed Raleigh Campus – for two years. In addition to the good feeling she got during the interview process, Alex also appreciated that there were "no surprises" after she accepted the position and started work. "What the OR managers told me about hours, orientation to the department and other things during the interview process held true once I started actually working," she said.

Alex's orientation to Raleigh Campus Surgical Services was, in fact, much more thorough than she anticipated. "I came to WakeMed with experience and didn't expect a detailed orientation. The orientation process went far beyond what I expected, which really made the transition into the OR much easier. I feel more comfortable in the OR environment because of it," she said.

The Raleigh Campus, the flagship hospital of WakeMed Health & Hospitals is home to a Level 1 Trauma center. In addition, procedures performed in its Surgical Services department are extremely diverse and can be complex. These factors create a fast-paced, challenging experience for OR nurses and staff who thrive in this type of environment. Alex is certainly one of them: "I came from a Level 1 Trauma hospital and I am used to and like more complex cases. They keep me excited about my job and challenged."

In addition to WakeMed, Alex appreciates Raleigh and all it has to offer. "The surroundings are beautiful, and I feel much safer here than I did in the city I previously lived in. It's great that you can drive one way and go to the mountains or drive the other way and go to the beach. The people are extremely welcoming and diverse. I felt accepted right away, and that doesn't happen everywhere. I am glad I made the move."

Alex Bockowski

BSN, RN

WakeMed Raleigh Campus

Surgical Services (Neuro)

Years as RN: 3.5

Time with WakeMed OR: Since May 2012

"It's great to be an active participant in making positive changes."

Cheryl, who came to Cary, NC, because of her husband's job more than 17 years ago, has been a part of the many changes that WakeMed Cary Hospital Surgical Services has experienced throughout the years. She is quick to point out that the current OR team is made up of highly committed individuals focused on hiring positive, willing-to-learn, confident nurses with progressive attitudes. "We believe in Cary Hospital and we want to be a part of the change in the OR," she said.

Cheryl notes that the WakeMed Cary Hospital Surgical Services department environment is much different from its counterpart at the WakeMed Raleigh Campus, which houses a Level 1 Trauma center. "At Cary Hospital, we work eight-hour shifts and we do not work in clusters," Cheryl explained. "Because we work on all types of cases with lots of different surgeons, we get to know everybody in our area. It is a really intimate environment where we feel comfortable speaking openly to one another.

In terms of living in Cary, Cheryl likes the fact that she both works and lives in the same community. Everything is 10 minutes away; no long commute, she said. Cary also boasts great public and private schools and a strong family-focused feeling.

Cheryl Jackson

BSN, RN

Years as RN: 34

Years in Cary Hospital OR: 17