Finding purpose in the ER
05/17/2023
Lindsey Shaw appreciated the personal interactions of the nursing profession, and the pace of nursing in the ER.
Finding purpose and connection
Lindsey Shaw 鈥24, a nursing major from Findlay, Ohio, always knew she wanted a career in the medical field. However, after shadowing both doctors and nurses, Shaw realized she preferred the more personal interactions that came with nursing.
鈥淚 fell in love with it,鈥 said Shaw. 鈥淚 was able to connect one-on-one with patients and really talk to them.鈥
Shaw initially wasn鈥檛 sure which area of nursing she wanted to pursue.
鈥淒uring clinicals, I found out what I didn鈥檛 like a lot faster than what I did like,鈥 she explained.
However, after working in Bluffton Hospital鈥檚 emergency room and completing a preceptorship with the Blanchard Valley Health System ER in Findlay, Shaw confirmed her occupational fit.
鈥淲hen a patient comes in and they鈥檙e not feeling their best, I am able to help them,鈥 said Shaw. 鈥淵ou see everything in the ER, and there鈥檚 also the fast pace of it.鈥
小优传媒鈥檚 nursing program is a four-year, dual-degree, dual-entry program in collaboration with Rhodes State College, and Shaw has already earned her associate degree to become an RN. That means, she will be able to work as a registered a nurse during her senior year of college. In fact, she already has a job lined up in the BVHS ER in Findlay.
On campus, Shaw has been a member of Bluffton鈥檚 volleyball team for the past three years, and this fall she plans to serve as a student coach. She appreciates the flexibility Coach Steve Yarnell has extended to her despite the scheduling conflicts caused by her major.
鈥淚 always dreamed of playing in college,鈥 said Shaw. 鈥淚 knew it would be hard with nursing, but I wanted to try. I just love the sport so much.鈥
She also appreciates the encouragement of Dr. Sherri Winegardner, director of nursing at Bluffton and Shaw鈥檚 academic advisor. Looking forward, she鈥檚 excited to start her senior year at Bluffton, continue working in the ER, and earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
鈥淚鈥檝e heard from others who have said it really makes you think about nursing in a different way,鈥 said Shaw of earning her BSN.