Nurses are the foundation of Binto's "why." Nurses carry us through so much of our lives with so little recognition—at every appointment, emergency, vaccine, they are holding our hands. We thank our nurses for their strength, compassion, charisma and sacrifices in taking care of patients. So what better way to honor National Nurses Week than with a daily feature of some of our favorites? Read on.
Sara Munroe-Leon, Neonatal NP
What inspired you to become a nurse? I was inspired to become a nurse when I took a job as a student tech at a psychiatric hospital in my junior year of college. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but I couldn’t decide what I actually wanted to be. Taking that job opened my eyes to how much you can do with a nursing degree. The opportunities are endless!
What are some of the most challenging situations you have faced as a nurse and how did you overcome them? Losing a patient is easily the most challenging thing I’ve faced as a nurse. I’ve been in the NICU for 7 years, and each loss still hurts just the same. It’s always been hard for me to talk to family or friends about these situations because it’s so upsetting to hear about. For that reason? I really rely on my coworkers. We talk it out, we process whatever we’re feeling, and we encourage each other to keep going.
Can you share a story about a patient you helped to make a significant improvement in their health? Every nurse knows the feeling of “nursing intuition”, and if you’ve been practicing long enough you can probably think of a time when it’s caught something big. In the NICU, we have the tiniest and most fragile patients. Sometimes even the smallest change in assessment can hint at a huge, potentially fatal outcome. For example, noticing that a baby is less feisty than usual, maybe a little pale, or has a more distended abdomen than usual can truly be a life-saving finding. Always trust your gut!
How do you balance the emotional demands of nursing with your own well-being and self-care? PTO! I am a huge advocate of using every minute of PTO possible to give yourself a reset. I love to travel, but even when a big trip isn’t in the cards, a staycation provides necessary rest and relaxation. When PTO is not an option, I prioritize sleep and listen to what my body needs. For me, a long walk or an intense workout can help me clear my head, but sometimes my body demands a lazy day and that’s okay too. You absolutely have to take care of your body and mind to be able to care for your patients.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a nurse? Working in healthcare is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most rewarding. Whenever you find yourself losing motivation, just remember the number of lives that your work will impact.
What do you love about Binto? I love that Binto is a woman-owned company that is making a difference for women everywhere. As I said before, I am very serious about taking care of my body, and Binto is helping me do that in a clean and sustainable way.