Carol Lawatsch, RN, BSN

Background

I received my Associate's degree from Alfred State College of Technology, Alfred, NY and my BSN from SUNY Utica, Utica, NY.

Time at Highland Hospital

I joined Highland in 1979.

Career Path at Highland Hospital

Reflecting back to September 10th, 1979, my first day at Highland Hospital, I approached West 5 with mixed emotions. Excitement, apprehension, thirst for knowledge and of course the fear of “I hope I don’t kill anyone” to name just a few.  I chose Highland because it always had the reputation of a “small caring hospital”. The welcome I received from my head nurse and all of the staff convinced me I had made the right choice.  

West 5 was a general medical/surgical floor, where the typical day ran the gamut of passing meds (including mixing all antibiotics, potassium, CHEMO! etc.) bed baths, changing dressings, making beds, doing vitals, etc. I wanted a foundation where I could learn the basics and continue to build on them. My head nurse continually taught by example, not only sharing her expert skills, but teaching all of the intangible qualities a nurse has to have. She did all of this with kindness, empathy and emphasizing patient care ALWAYS comes first! Her influence created an atmosphere of teamwork that I now know is critical to be a successful nurse.

The next 13 years took me to the Emergency Room where I will spare the gory details. Suffice it to say it taught me to expect the unexpected! Teamwork again allowed for us to get through the most difficult of days.  It was here that I learned how other departments such as x-ray, lab, admitting, transport, security, dietary, housekeeping, all work together toward a common goal, giving our best to our patients. The ER housed the hospital “coffee pot”, (a hundred cup pot) that was on 24/7! Staff from all over the hospital gathered there on their breaks. Friendships developed that continue today!

I presently work in the Same Day Surgery Unit (since 1995). It is here that I have found my niche!

My Dominant Personality Traits

I’m a whole picture person.  Assessment and organizational skills come naturally to me, but I’m also very people oriented. 

I approach patients on an individual basis.  I’m friendly, positive and a passionate patient advocate.  I like to put them at ease and let them know we’ll take care of them no matter what.   

About the Same Day Surgery Unit

SDSU is a fast paced unit where we prepare patients for surgery. The patient population is diverse regarding age, ethnic background, etc.

It’s different from day to day. Preparation entails starting IV’s, giving pre-op meds, checking bg’s, drawing blood work, assessing the patient for any health changes, comfort level, and other unexpected details that may arise. We work closely with the surgeons and anesthesiologists to ensure the patient is medically, emotionally and spiritually ready for their surgical experience. We have close contact with the patients’ families, continually alleviating fears, apprehension, offering comfort and reassurance. Education is ongoing for both the patient and the family. We have the opportunity to answer questions, explain procedures and outline their hospital stay. If patients are going home the same day, we also recover them. This involves assessment skills, pain management and discharge instructions. As most nursing jobs are, the tasks we do are too numerous to mention them all.
 
I’m surrounded by an amazing group of nurses and techs.  This staff exemplifies teamwork. Everyone holds patient care to the highest standard. We are diligent, hard working and always ready to help a coworker. We often have to get a patient ready for the operating room at a moment’s notice.  Without this extraordinary effort it would not be possible. Ironically, many of us are the same people who worked together on West 5 and the ER! We are truly family. 

At the end of the day, we often hear much appreciation from patients and their families. They tell us how much they love Highland and wouldn’t go anywhere else. Those simple words make even the most difficult days not only bearable, but make you glad you were a part of it.