Everyday Heroes: Carleen
Carleen Merola, MSN, RN, TCRN, PCCN
Critical Care Manager, ED, ICU, Cardiopulmonary, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial
“I entered nursing to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of others”
What is your favorite part of your job?
The favorite part of my job is making a difference in the lives of others. Whether it is a staff member who grows under my mentorship, implementing practices changes that improve the outcomes for patients, or directly caring for a patient, there’s nothing quite as rewarding.
As an ER nurse, I’ve had the ability to make the worst day of someone’s life a little easier to handle. As an educator, I’ve been able to watch new graduate nurses learn, grow, and eventually fly on their own. As a leader, I get to find my staff’s dreams and help make them their reality. The success of lives I influence is my greatest reward.
Why did you choose healthcare as a profession?
Nursing was my second career after I realized as an accountant that I wasn’t making a difference in someone’s life the way I wanted. My choice to enter the healthcare profession goes hand in hand with my favorite part of my job. I entered nursing to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of others.
What is the biggest challenge you have seen in the ED/ICU with the COVID19 pandemic and how have you chosen to handle that challenge?
The unknown nature of the virus is the biggest challenge we face every day. Our treatment methods and practices continue to change as we learn more. It takes a lot of communication between physicians, leaders, and frontline staff members to ensure everyone is on the same page and has the most up to date information. Even with the latest information what works for one patient may not work for another. The same dedication to communication is also necessary to our family members who can’t be with their loved ones.
Where is the first place you will go once the COVID19 pandemic is behind us?
I can’t wait to go out to dinner with my husband and listen to some live music. That has always a regular get away that we enjoy after a long week at work. I also can’t wait to get a pedicure, after 12-16 days five days a week my feet need a good massage.