Keeping the Faith

Rosemarie Valcin-Anderson's Catholic upbringing and born-again Christian faith informs her nursing care allowing her to connect with patients on a deeper level. 

Tell us about your background. Why did you go into nursing?

I’ve always been a very empathic person and I want to help people if I can. Becoming a nurse was a way to help people in a medical setting.  I felt called to nursing.

 Why did you choose to come to Labouré for ASN and your BSN?

I graduated from Labouré with my ASN in 2000. I chose to come back for my BSN because my first experience was very good. I always felt very supported by the teachers and faculty here. They would stop and talk to you- really get to know your personally. I knew they understand that I was a human being with children and a life outside of school.

Also, I was raised Catholic, even though I’m now a born-again Christian, I liked the idea of a being at a faith-based college. I’m a very spiritual person so I feel like I have roots here.

Where do you work right now? Do you have plans to use your BSN for future professional growth in nursing?

I work full-time at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston as an ICU nurse. I’m married and I have two sons, one who is 24 and one who is 5. I’m still grappling with what to do with my BSN after I graduate. I’m interested in getting my masters and even becoming a nurse practitioner, but the work-life balance of a floor nurse is a better fit for me and my family right now.

How is Labouré’s RN-BSN program helping you become an even better nurse?

The BSN program helps you understand the theory and the clinical together. You can see more clearly why you’re doing what you’re doing as a nurse. The BSN program really focuses on critical thinking, so you can see different aspects of a situation. You learn how to articulate yourself better and prove your points with facts and evidence-based practice. This helps you be a better advocate for your patients. 

What do you think makes a great nurse?

When you’re a new nurse, being good at your job is all about paying attention to details. New nurses are very task oriented. Once you have been a nurse for a while, you learn how to listen more effectively to patients and be empathetic towards your patients and their families. When someone is ill, the entire family is being affected by this individual, so you need to be able to supply support to everyone, know what the supports are in the hospital to help them, and use a team approach for their care.

What advice do you have for future nurses?

Never stop educating yourself. Learning is a lifelong thing and it’s a gift that no one can take from you. I also think that after you graduate with your RN, if you can find a way to start working on your BSN right away, even if you just take one class at a time, it’s a good idea    

I would also tell new nurses not to be afraid to make a change in your nursing career. There are so many different things you can be and do. If you limit yourself, you’ll burn yourself out.