Elizabeth, Gay RN

Background

I earned my first Associate’s degree in Health Information Science at Alfred State College. My second Associate’s degree is in Nursing from Genesee Community College. I recently applied to obtain my BSN from Roberts Wesleyan College. I am ACLS certified.

Time and Career Path at Highland Hospital

I have worked at Highland for 28 years. I began at the Family Medicine Center, where I worked as a medical transcriptionist. I transferred to the Health Information Management department where I worked for the majority of my career at Highland. I recently returned as a graduate nurse.

After working in several areas in the Health Information Management department, I left in the late 1990s to become an at-home medical transcriptionist. In 2003, my husband and I lived in the Republic of Congo where he supervised a hospital building project. I worked with doctors and nurses from all over the world who would come to experience medicine in a third world country. I kept saying that “if I were 10 years younger, I would pursue a nursing career.” I received much encouragement to “go for it” and I began nursing school in 2005.

As a student, I was assigned to W6 for my preceptor experience and fell in love with the nursing staff and the “compassion heals” environment at Highland. I knew that after graduation this was the place where I wanted to work! After 18 months on W6, it was time to fulfill my life-long dream of working in the Emergency Department. With support from a great staff, I found my niche.

My Dominant Personality Traits

I care about everyone and want to make a difference in this world. If a kind word, smile, or gentle touch can help someone’s day, I’m happy. At the end of the day, I get so much more out of it than I give.

About the Emergency Department

Although I’ve only worked in the Emergency Department for a short time, I can tell you that it is its own world. Things operate differently here than any other place I have worked. It is a fast paced, live on the edge; get your adrenalin pumping atmosphere. And I am learning from the best! There are so many experienced individuals who have seen so much and are willing to share their experiences with me and help me learn. I appreciate all of them. Without the great sense of teamwork, I would be lost. The providers are the best teachers and sometimes we all learn together.

There are days when I wake up and can’t believe I am doing this. Many days I am frightened by how much responsibility I have as a nurse. I assure you that the good days outweigh the bad. It is a privilege being a nurse!