Claire Brasseaux is one busy woman.
For the past five months she’s been a patient care technician at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton. In addition, she has been a full-time unit secretary for three years and is completing her second semester of nursing school. Brasseaux acknowledges her schedule is “a little crazy.”
She also is a nurse extern and unit-based council secretary, said Leslie Kyle, B.S.N., R.N., CMSRN, manager of the surgical/oncology unit at Texas Health Denton.
“Claire goes above and beyond in everything that she does,” Kyle said. “I can’t wait to see her graduate, because she’s going to be an amazing nurse. Our patients and our team are better because of her. I am so grateful for all that she does!”
Brasseaux shared a bit about what drives her to do it all:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose healthcare?
I’ve always known I wanted to help people in some capacity, and healthcare felt like the right place to do that for me. I wanted to be in a field where I could offer support, comfort and care to people when they need it most. Healthcare gives me the chance to do just that – whether it’s through small acts of kindness or more. It also has challenged me to keep learning and growing, while also giving me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Describe your job. What is your workday like?
As a PCT I handle many different tasks throughout the day, including taking vital signs, performing blood sugar checks, assisting with mobility and hygiene, and collecting specimens for lab testing. I also help pass meal trays and make sure patients are comfortable. I work closely with nurses and other team members and try to bring a calm, supportive presence to each patient interaction. It’s a fast-paced environment, but I find it incredibly rewarding to be part of each patient’s journey.
What is your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
Working in the hospital, I have always loved interacting with patients and being able to bring a smile to their faces even on what they might consider to be some of their worst days. If I can do one thing to make a patient’s day easier or better, I want to do it. I believe that building a therapeutic relationship with patients and advocating for them is so important. I think the biggest challenge is not always being able to help.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a total bookworm — I love escaping into books with epic worlds and magical adventures. I could also rewatch the “Harry Potter” movies 100 times and never get tired of them. Those two things are my favorite ways to cozy up and relax after a long shift or on a day off.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
I am always open to learning new things and want to continue to enhance my knowledge and skills to promote that growth. I always try to approach each situation with empathy, patience and professionalism. My goal is to make a positive difference in my patients’ lives by giving them comfort, dignity and respect during the time they are in my care.
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