Megan’s Texas Health Graduate Nurse Residency Program Story
“I didn’t just get a new campus; I got a whole new family at Fort Worth!”
Our Texas Health Graduate Nurse Program helped Megan Simmons step out of her comfort zone and into a role where she found stability and an opportunity to grow her confidence and patient care skills. Megan was a Patient Care Technician (PCT) for six years before becoming a Registered Nurse. Her time as a PCT helped her build confidence and develop great compassion and care for her patients.
Megan cites mentors like Debbie Brown, Clinical Educator in the Nurse Residency Program at Texas Health Fort Worth, for providing educational guidance and reassurance when challenges arose. Megan loves working for Texas Health and is committed to serving our patients and delivering high-quality healthcare with every patient interaction.
Learn more about Megan in her own words.
How did the Graduate Nurse Residency Program set you up for success as an R.N.?
I was precepted for sixteen weeks on my critical care unit by seasoned nurses with the skill set and knowledge to share with me. I was able to learn first-hand patient care with my preceptor right at the bedside with me every step of my journey. Also, our leaders, supervisors and manager met with me often to get feedback on my progress and track my growth in confidence as a new nurse. I had additional critical care classes with my cohort that allowed me to feel thoroughly educated specific to my cardiac field.
What led you to select Texas Health’s Graduate Nurse Residency Program?
The reason I selected the Texas Health Graduate Nurse Residency was because I have worked for Texas Health since 2015 as a patient care technician and wanted to continue my career with the company that I love. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone just starting in the medical field?
The advice I would give to the younger version of myself is to stay teachable and humble. The medical field is constantly changing with advancements in medicine. Be willing to always keep learning and ask questions. There is no limit to the knowledge that you can attain.
How do you perform your life’s best work at Texas Health?
My life’s best work is done when I am able to take care of people. I am passionate about others. Being at the bedside providing care for another is something like a calling. When patients are in need, I want to be a resource to them, and to extend compassion and respect while giving the patient the high quality nursing care that they deserve.
What is the most gratifying aspect of your work?
I feel the most gratified when I can make a small impact in that patient’s experience while I care for them. Kindness is extended, patience and understanding given to each one. I have been told I bring joyfulness to my role as a graduate nurse. Even a smile or a gentle touch can make a patient feel comforted while in the hospital.
Can you share a story about a patient interaction where you made a difference?
I recently had the same patient for three night shifts in a row. A sweet little older lady was my patient with two daughters on continuous rotation of her care in the room. She was completely blind and deaf in one ear. Also, she being treated with high flow oxygenation for her medical condition. When she was sitting in the chair at the start of my shift I would walk around the bed to where she was sitting and gently touch her hand while I knelt next to her, speaking into the ear that she could hear from. She could breathe much easier sitting up in the chair. I didn’t want her to be afraid or startled each time I needed to give her a medication or update her on the plan of care. I tried to imagine how that would feel to be hospitalized with those sensory deficits. If that was my mother and I was the daughter at the bedside, how would I want her nurse to interact with her, is what I asked myself. Within the first few hours of my first day with my patient she started calling me Darling. I could see the daughters’ fears and worries about their mother’s care were diminishing while I was caring for her. Trust was being established quickly and that made me very happy. Having the same patient for three shifts is wonderful continuity of care. I was able to extend respect, integrity, compassion and excellence to this patient while in my care. The daughters and the patient thanked me often for my compassionate bedside care. I felt like I made an impact. Experiences like this make me love being a nurse.
What is your favorite Texas Health benefit?
My favorite Texas Health benefit is the tuition reimbursement program. I would not have been able to afford nursing school if I didn’t have this resource to me as an employee.
Published August 1, 2022
