When I Grow Up: Careers in Medicine & Health

Jamilla Webb

Registered Nurse & Founder of HER Health Nurse, LLC

Education

Prince George’s Community College • LSU Health Sciences Center

Degree

Associate of Science in Nursing + Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Professional Journey:

I initially was a psychology major. I had a summer job with the federal government and found out in May of my sophomore year that my position had been dissolved. I was so sad and didn’t know what to do, but my mom suggested I take a one-month class to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). I loved the course so much that I changed my major to nursing. I’ve been a nurse for the past 14 years. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made—even though I flunked out of school in the beginning. My home had burned down and my father had fallen ill; I was so focused on working and helping my family recover that I was not able to study as much as I should have. I used to feel humiliated that it took me so long to finish the program, but now I proudly share my story to encourage others. Even if you experience a personal tragedy, you can still accomplish your goals.

My dream is to one day become a certified nurse midwife (CNM). I currently work as a labor and delivery nurse. Before, I served our community as a public health nurse and worked in infectious disease and adolescent medicine. I performed a lot of STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing and treatment, patient education, and reproductive health services such as birth control administration and pregnancy options counseling.

In a hospital setting, it is hard to have a relationship with patients because it’s such a fast-paced environment and patients are constantly admitted and discharged. When I worked in community health clinics, it was easier to develop nurse-patient relationships. I would see the same patients over and over again, and, in time, I learned more of their life story and they began to trust me. I cared for a lot of teen girls with STIs and unplanned pregnancies. I believe most of these cases could have been prevented had they received the proper education (Louisiana does not require schools to teach comprehensive sex education!). This led me to start my own health education business, HER Health Nurse.

Typical Workday

Most nurses in a hospital setting work three 12-hour shifts per week—7 a.m. to 7 p.m. if they work the day shift or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. if they are on night shift. I currently work on the day shift and wake up at 4:45 a.m. The first thing I do is pray and begin my day with positive affirmations. Once I arrive at the hospital, I get a report from the night shift nurse and make rounds on all of my patients.

Because we never know how many patients we have, nor what their conditions are, it can be unpredictable at times. I spend my 12 hours doing assessments, giving medications, performing tests, obtaining specimens, teaching patients, calling doctors, charting on the computer, and keeping moms as comfortable and safe as possible while they are in labor and when they deliver their babies. It is very intense work. However, I always return home knowing that I made a difference in someone’s life. That makes it all worth it.

Necessary Qualifications

There are several types of nurses and nursing programs. A high school diploma or a GED is required to be eligible for nursing school. Once you are accepted, you must maintain an above-average GPA to graduate. When you have completed the nursing program, you must take a state board exam. Once you pass the board exam, you are then granted a state license to practice as a nurse. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from a vocational school or community college. Registered nurses (RNs) earn an Associate Degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a community college or four-year university.

There are also advanced degrees in nursing. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must attend graduate school to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Unlike doctors, who primarily focus on diseases and how to cure them, APRNs typically focus on holistic health and health promotion. Nurses who want to go into research or become college professors can obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.

Must-have Skills

The most important skills a nurse needs to be successful are not learned from a textbook. Flexibility, patience, and determination are foundational requirements. Healthcare environments can be unpredictable. Nurses often deal with high levels of stress and are expected to keep patients safe and provide quality care regardless of the environment and situations they may find themselves in. Skills such as assessing patients, starting IVs, and supporting your team in the operating room, for example, are not learned overnight. They take repetition. You have to be determined, yet patient and gentle with yourself, because you will make mistakes and will need guidance and support from your coworkers.

Most Challenging

What I like least is the stress that comes with nursing. Everyone—family members, physicians, the pharmacy—comes to the nurse with demands. We are accountable for so many different moving pieces. It can be very overwhelming.

In labor and delivery, there are some really hard parts, like supporting a family through a miscarriage or stillborn baby. The first time I was assigned to a family that had a stillborn baby, I had to wash and dress the baby and take pictures. After the family had their last moments with the baby, I put identification tags on the baby and put it in a special bag so it could be taken to the morgue. I cried for a whole day after that experience.

When I worked in the clinic, one of the most difficult situations I had was supporting a pregnant teen who was positive for an STI and in an abusive relationship with a boyfriend she wasn’t ready to break up with. I provided pregnancy options counseling and a shoulder for her to cry on. I also gave her resources for survivors of domestic abuse and explored an escape plan with her. These are examples of real-life situations that nurses deal with daily.

Most Fun

I love that this work is rewarding and makes a difference. It constantly requires you to grow and learn. What’s most fun about being in labor and delivery is seeing the joy in a family’s eyes after their baby is born. What I loved most when I was a community health nurse was going to health fairs and traveling all over the city to provide sexual health services. I was able to connect to so many amazing young people. To me, nursing cannot be confined to the four walls of a hospital. Health care in the home and community is just as important as health care in a hospital.

Common Misconception

That our job is easy. We have so many tasks to handle and coordinate. You have to be ready to show up strong, ask for help and guidance when needed, and advocate for yourself and your patients.

Amelie Guarisco

Physician Assistant

Education

College of Charleston • Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology + Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Professional Journey:

I have always been interested in natural and human sciences. Every summer, I would visit a different national park with my family. As my love for the outdoors grew, so did my interest in science. I chose to major in biology at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. The science department there offered excellent health profession advising. I was able to explore a wide range of career interests in the medical field and other branches of science.

As an undergraduate student, I took every opportunity to study abroad. I was able to travel to Greece, Austria, Kenya, and Indonesia for college credit classes. Not only was it an amazing experience each time, but it really made my course load lighter during the fall and spring semesters so I could focus on the more difficult upper-level science classes. In PA school, I was able to travel abroad for a clinical rotation in Argentina. I spent five weeks working in a pediatric hospital. It was an incredible adventure and a great way to work on my medical Spanish.

Difference Between Physician and PA

One of the biggest differences is the amount of time spent in training. PA school is a two to three-year program. Following graduation, you are able to start practicing or can pursue a fellowship for further training. In contrast, physicians spend four years in medical school, another four to five years in residency, and potentially one to three more years in fellowship training.

Typical Workday

I work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the pediatric ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) department at Ochsner Hospital. I typically see 10-15 patients a day and help physicians on my slower days. Common conditions I see every day include recurrent ear infections, hearing loss, nasal obstruction, airway disorders, head and neck masses, and voice and speech conditions. I treat patients from newborn to 21 years of age.

Necessary Qualifications

As an undergraduate student, entering a pre-health or pre-med major can help you prepare for PA school and fulfill the requirements for admittance. I chose biology for this reason. Every PA school has different requirements. In general, you need to take upper-level biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, genetics, etc. While I was at the College of Charleston, I worked at the student health services center in an admin role. This was a great resume builder for PA school, but I really should have worked in a more hands-on patient care role because most schools require 300-1,000 hours of hands-on patient contact.

Must-Have Skills

Working collaboratively with your peers and staying up to date with the latest practices will make a very successful PA. This will allow a PA to practice at the top of their license. It’s very important as a PA that I continue to improve my procedural skills and clinical knowledge.

Most Challenging

There is A LOT of paperwork when you initially apply for your license. After the initial headache and mountain of applications for licenses, it becomes routine and pretty easy to renew annually. On a day-to-day level, it’s extremely challenging when a child is fearful during an exam. This can be stressful for the parent and the child. It’s very important to engage with the child to establish trust and involve the parent as much as possible. Good communication is essential in a pediatric setting.

Most Fun

I really enjoy working in a pediatric setting. Working with children is extremely rewarding and keeps the atmosphere light and fun. I also work with a great team and know the families appreciate the continuity of care. I work with specialists from audiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and speech and language. The team approach ensures the best quality of care and better patient outcomes.

Common Misconception

As the profession has grown, many of our patients have become more aware of a PA’s function and role in the hospital. I think 10 years ago, patients would have had a problem with seeing a PA instead of an MD. The profession continues to grow and evolve.

Work-Life Balance

I found it difficult at the beginning of my career. During that period, I was taking on a lot of new responsibilities for the first time. I moved back to New Orleans, bought a home, and started a new job—all in the same month. Over time, I gained experience in how to truly balance work and life. I now know the importance of taking the time to enjoy myself outside of work. I make sure I finish all my work before leaving the clinic so I do not take anything home with me. I think it’s important to have a fulfilling life outside of work. I love spending time with my nieces and nephews. My husband and I play in a Thursday night kickball league. And I also love a good bike ride along the Mississippi River!

On Being a Woman in the Field

Data shows that the PA profession is a female-dominated field. Case in point: my PA program was over 80% female. Still, early on in my education and professional career, I second-guessed myself a lot. I found myself not speaking up for myself in certain situations. With age and experience, I feel like I have found my voice. I am more confident in addressing issues at work. I think it’s important for every woman to learn how to negotiate a salary before entering the working world. That can be an uncomfortable conversation for women, especially when the majority of the staff are males. The gender pay gap is an issue across all industries, including medical and health services.

Advice

I would encourage young women to absolutely pursue a career as a PA if they are interested in entering the medical field. The two to three-year training program allows women to practice in a high-earning field and maintain a work-life balance. As a PA, you can also change roles or the healthcare setting. This makes it easy to change specialties if you ever want to enter a new field or work as a “locum tenens” PA on a temporary assignment somewhere else in the country or even abroad. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a PA, don’t hesitate to reach out to me (by sending an email to info@geauxgirlmagazine.org). I love mentoring high school students and PA students—especially future female leaders!

Ginger Muniz Blange

Paramedic

Education

Delgado Community College • GMKO Emergency Medical Services

Certification

National Registry of Emergency
Medical Technicians-Nationally
Registered Paramedic

Professional Journey:

After I graduated high school, I was not sure what direction I wanted to go in. I was in college at UNO taking general studies, just trying to figure it all out. Then my elderly neighbor was ill one day, and the paramedics asked my boyfriend at the time if he could help get her out of the house. After that, he started talking about going to EMT school. I looked into it and found out that I could take the EMT Basic course in one semester (there are different levels of EMT certifications like there are for nurses). I figured I could transfer to Delgado to take the course, become an EMT, and make fairly okay money while I figured out my future plans.

Once I passed my class and the national board test, I decided to volunteer with the New Orleans Health Department’s VIGOR program, which stands for Volunteers in Government of Responsibility. My first day was crazy and awesome and filled with so many emotions and highs and lows. I was hooked immediately. I loved the camaraderie. My first day is actually captured in a book called Welcome to New Orleans: How Many Shots Did You Hear?, written by my good friend and one of my many mentors, Brett Schneider. After that first day, being in emergency medical services was all I could think about doing.

I worked as an EMT-Basic for a few years to gain experience before taking the paramedic course. I had intentions to become a paramedic and then a nurse. A lot of paramedics become nurses for the money. Paramedics are not paid nearly what they are worth, and the burnout rate is very high. But after several years as a paramedic, I decided that I did not want to be a nurse and that the money wouldn’t be worth it if I had to give up being on the ambulance.

After I had my daughter, I convinced myself that I didn’t want to be a paramedic anymore and ran my own event staffing business for a while. Even though I loved my new career path, I felt like something was missing. After about three years away from the field, I returned. After the first call on my first day back, I realized that being a paramedic wasn’t a job for me; it was my calling. That was seven years ago, and I have not even once regretted my decision to return to the ambulance.

Typical Workday

We arrive to work at crazy hours (4 a.m. for me) and most of us work 12-hour shifts. There’s no guarantee that you will get off on time as you can’t control when people call 911. We also never know what we’re going to encounter. We may be called to a medical emergency or a trauma call or a psychiatric patient. Or we may be asked to help with administering monoclonal antibody treatment to Covid-19 patients. We go to people’s houses, businesses, doctor’s offices. Sometimes we end up on a boat in the water or wade through mud to get to a patient. It’s constantly changing and that’s what I love most about this career.

Necessary Qualifications

There are quite a number of options. Community colleges offer courses, as do some of the ambulance services. The length of the course varies depending on whether you want a degree or not. In this field, a degree doesn’t increase your pay or help you move up the ladder. Once you complete the EMT-Paramedic course, you must pass national boards, which include a written exam and practical hands-on exams. In addition to the national registry certification, you have to keep your emergency medical training and certifications current (life-saving skills such as CPR, ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS, defensive driving, hazardous materials, etc.) through continuing education every two years to recertify as a nationally registered paramedic.

Must-Have Skills

Compassion, empathy, and patience are a must. Our job isn’t always blood and guts and lights and sirens. Often, it’s taking the time to understand and dissect the situation. You must possess the ability to make life-saving decisions in the blink of an eye. You have to be able to be the calm in the chaos. I have been a preceptor (a mentor for paramedics in training) for the majority of my career and always tell my students that they need to be a duck: smooth and calm on the surface and paddling like crazy under the water where nobody can see.

Most Challenging

The hours. The missed holidays and school events. And the drivers who do not get out of our way.

Most Fun

I love making a difference in people’s lives—whether it’s holding the hand of an elderly patient who is scared or helping someone navigate the medical system or explaining their medication regimen to them. It’s not just the life-saving moments when someone is brought back from the brink of death; it’s the everyday impact that we have on people.

Common Misconception

That we are “ambulance drivers.” We are highly skilled medical professionals who have to make decisions without X-ray machines or ultrasound or MRI. We have to take the situation and figure it out. There are two people on the ambulance and only one can ride in the back because somebody has to drive the ambulance, so often times, you are alone with a patient when they start deteriorating. In an emergency room, you have people for everything and extra hands for whatever you need. You don’t have that on the ambulance. Many people still think that we just throw someone in the ambulance and speed to the hospital, which was the case in the early 70s, but we have the ability to do so much more.

Work-Life Balance

It is hard but doable. I am married to a police officer, so he understands when I get off late or get called in or have to work three weeks straight when there’s a hurricane because the same thing happens to him. It is hard with kids because I miss a lot of their games and school activities. And I often miss holidays. It’s important to have a partner who understands the field. When I have had a rough call, my husband gives me the space I need to process it. He knows that I will talk about it when I am ready.

On Being a Woman in the Field

When I started my career in the late 90s, it was definitely a highly male-dominated field, and I was told as much on my first day. But there’s been some change over the past 20 years. Still, people tend to direct their questions to the male on the ambulance even if he is not the paramedic. I’ve also seen male nurses be called doctor while standing next to a female doctor, just because they are male. But I don’t let myself be bothered by other people’s opinions and perceptions. When I’m working with another female and we go to a call, patients often say, “I don’t think y’all will be able to pick me up.” We prove them wrong almost every time.

Advice

Don’t let anything stand in your way. Pursue your dreams and don’t give up. Always treat others the way you want to be treated. For aspiring paramedics, take the time to understand what the field is about and know that it’s not always blood, guts, lights, and sirens. It’s a very rewarding career but can also be emotionally difficult at times.

Gabrielle Clark-Patterson

Biomedical Research Engineer & Founder of tecH2er, Inc.

Education

University of Central Florida • Tulane University

Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering + Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Professional Journey:

Ten years ago, I was a senior in high school with a vague professional trajectory. I took an assessment for career paths that best suited my interests. One of the suggested careers was biomedical engineering. I had no idea what a biomedical engineer does. However, my dad was a mechanical engineer, so I knew engineers use math and science to solve world problems. I eventually learned that a biomedical engineer analyzes and designs solutions to problems within biology and medicine to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care. I enjoyed math and science and was drawn to the idea that I could use the two to address medical problems. Many people in my family suffered from sickle cell anemia, and I viewed this career path as an opportunity to help my family.

I initially studied mechanical engineering as the college I attended did not have a biomedical engineering program. Throughout college, I participated in various research opportunities. These amazing experiences solidified my interest in research and pursuing more education in biomedical engineering, which eventually led me to where I am now, the Biomechanics of Growth and Remodeling Laboratory at Tulane University.

Typical Workday

The day-to-day life of a biomedical engineer varies a lot based on the job and role. Some biomedical engineers work within large companies in private industry, small start-up technology companies, the government, or research laboratories. I work as a research engineer in a laboratory to better understand and treat medical conditions associated with the female reproductive system. I work closely with other biomedical engineers, doctors/surgeons, and scientists.

My typical workday consists of dissecting vaginal tissue from an animal model (e.g., mouse). Then I use a mechanical testing device to quantify how stretchy the vagina is. With this device, I am able to measure how much the vagina’s geometry (e.g., outer diameter) changes as the device increases the pressure inside the vagina. This allows me and my co-workers to determine how the vagina’s mechanical properties change with normal processes, such as pregnancy and aging, and with a disease known as pelvic organ prolapse, which is characterized by the descent of the pelvic organs (e.g., uterus, bladder, rectum) into the vagina. After the experiment, I process the data, make graphs, and analyze the data.

Throughout the week, I attend meetings with the other biomedical engineers, doctors, and scientists. Some days involve preparing presentations or writing papers to report the findings and get published in journals. I also sometimes travel nationally and internationally to present my research findings to individuals in STEM from all over the world.

Necessary Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or another engineering field can be enough to get a good job in the industry. Biomedical engineers who are involved in scientific research generally hold a master’s or doctoral degree.

Must-Have Skills

I believe that hard work, dedication, open-mindedness, innovativeness, and out-of-the-box thinking make you a successful biomedical engineer. Furthermore, being a team player, compassionate, and selfless is very important as engineers work in teams to achieve a common goal.

My most valuable experience along this journey was stepping out of my comfort zone. I wanted to conduct research on sickle cell anemia, but along the way, I came across women’s reproductive health and decided to give it a shot. My work, research, and life experiences recently led me to start my own nonprofit organization, tecH2er Inc., to provide awareness and equal access to women’s health technology and products. I have created a database on a centralized platform (tech2er.com) for women’s health products that are easily accessible on the market. I believe I would not be where I am today if I had not stepped out of my comfort zone to explore something that was of interest to me.

Outside of technical skills (coding, design, computer modeling, troubleshooting, building, data analysis, etc.) that you hone along your journey to becoming an engineer, I am learning that soft skills are just as important. Your soft skills (emotional intelligence, presentation skills, active listening, writing skills, etc.) allow you to adapt to different people and situations and be an effective communicator and leader within your field. While working on developing your technical (hard) skills, do not forget to shine some light on your soft skills.

Most Challenging

A not-so-fun part is all the writing. While not all biomedical engineers write a lot, for my role writing is critical because that is how we present research findings to the world.

Most Fun

What excites me the most about biomedical engineering is being able to impact people’s lives by improving health. Knowing that what you are doing today will significantly impact someone’s life in the future is a great feeling. The most fun thing about my job is the people. I am constantly learning from the other engineers and scientists I work with.

One of my favorite projects was my senior design project in college. We took everything we had learned from books over the past four years and applied it to address a real problem. This was the first time I truly felt like an engineer. My team and I built a mechanical structure that allowed researchers and doctors to attach a surgical medical robot to an operating table to test and evaluate the robotic system in a surgical environment. We designed, manufactured (sawed, drilled, welded, etc.), and tested (in CAD software and in person) the mechanical support system for the surgical robot. Surgical robots—which are designed and built by biomedical engineers—are transforming how surgery is performed as they allow surgical operations to be carried out with great precision and allow remote surgery where a surgeon is not physically present with the patient.

Common Misconception

That you have to have a degree in biomedical engineering to work in this field. Biomedical engineering is built on the fundamentals of the traditional engineering fields, such as mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering/science. A degree in these areas is suitable for many biomedical engineering positions. If you are interested in the traditional fields of engineering, you can take courses like biology, organic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, etc. as electives to fill the scientific knowledge gap. In the traditional engineering fields, you learn a lot about that particular discipline (more depth); with biomedical engineering, you learn a little about all the traditional fields of engineering (more breadth).

Work-Life Balance

It varies and depends on the company and your role. Sometimes, my role can be very demanding, resulting in very long hours. I had to learn to be intentional about making time for myself, family, friends, and other things that I care about.

On Being a Woman in the Field

Based on my experience, I would say that biomedical engineering is one of the least male-dominated industries compared to the other engineering fields. A study in 2018 showed that 45.5% of bachelor’s degrees in biomedical engineering were awarded to women but only 14.8% for mechanical engineering. Environmental engineering has the most bachelor’s degrees awarded to women at 50.6% and computer engineering the least at 13.3%. I am fortunate to work with other women and have a female supervisor, but there is still a lack of women in leadership roles in biomedical engineering.

Advice

My advice is to identify your passion. Honestly, during high school, many students do not know exactly what they want to do professionally, but if you can identify what you enjoy doing or learning, it can help guide you in your decisions. And if something sounds interesting, take the opportunity to explore it! You never know where it might lead you and what doors may open. At this age, you have nothing to lose but much to gain.

All things are possible! Do not let anyone or anything discourage you. Write down your goals, read them daily, and shoot for the stars. It is going to be a long and challenging journey, but you can do it. Always remember your why and never give up!