COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH HEALTHCARE
National Nurses Week is a special time at St. Joseph Healthcare. Each year, we work to honor and recognize the incredible work that our nurses do every day. It is a time for us all to share our gratitude for the impact that nurses have on our lives and the lives of our patients and this community. We could not think of a better way to celebrate National Nurses Week than by sharing a story from one of our nurses.
Jacki Soohey, Assistant Nurse Manager, BSN RN, CEN, ME-SAFE-A/P
I grew up in Belfast and started my first job in healthcare as a Psych Tech in Bangor. As a tech, I was fascinated by the role of nurses, inspiring me to grow my skills. Shortly thereafter, I followed my passion by attending Husson University for nursing, allowing me the opportunity to begin inspiring others.
While working at another emergency department, I met Keri Kapaldo, who showed me the impact of caring for those in need in our community. Often the emergency room sees patients on one of their worst days, but I can be there for them, with compassionate care. The atmosphere of an emergency room, although seemingly chaotic to most, was an environment I thrived in. The day is ever-changing, but you truly make a difference. The impact of the ER resonated with me and when Keri mentioned a job at St. Joe’s, I jumped!
My start at St. Joe’s was as a charge nurse on another floor, eventually moving to my home in the ER. As soon as I joined the team, I found my people. St. Joe’s is such a special place to me because you are more than just a number, you are a part of something bigger. As nurses, we are celebrated at St. Joe’s. I am often in awe of the encouragement from the top down to truly listen and collaborate. I have been able to grow and encourage my team of nurses to develop their own skills, often right out of school. Being a part of a nursing graduate’s career growth gives me such a sense of pride.
As a nurse at St. Joe’s for six years, my role has evolved from coordinating to something more. For patients, I am there to ensure they are well cared for; for my nursing team I am a mentor; for my community, I am a collaborator with local organizations to coordinate resources for patients. Of all my roles the highlight has been working with St. Joe’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program, the only one in Maine, providing 24/7 full-time nurses for victims of sexual assault and violence. It is an honor to work at St. Joe’s and I would encourage anyone looking for a meaningful role in nursing to consider applying.
Thank you to Jacki for sharing your story, and to all the Nurses at St. Joseph Healthcare and within our community for all you do. If you are interested in exploring nursing opportunities at St. Joe’s, visit stjosephbangor.org/careers or email Starr Corcoran at [email protected].
