NATALIE BLAKE

Welcome to My Site

Hello. My name is Natalie Blake. (Click name for video of this transcript).

A little Natalie history:

I graduated from nursing school in 2005 with a diploma in nursing and immediately began working as a registered nurse on a busy heart monitoring unit at a local hospital. While I learned a lot in a short amount of time in that role, I sought a different way to interact with my patients. In this pursuit, I left the hospital setting and began work in an outpatient clinic that treated persons with cancers and blood disorders using various infusions. The knowledge required for this practice was complex and diverse, and while I struggled with gaining this knowledge base, the struggle, and subsequent success of the struggle became quite a confidence booster as I moved forward in my practice. In the oncology setting, I also began to develop my understanding of the depth of the human spirit to dealing with sorrow, physical pain, and watching a loved one endure suffering. I continued to work in that role for a total of six years, taking four years off to stay home with my daughter.

Personal Notes:

Raising my daughter with my husband of 16 years has drastically changed my perspective of work, family time, quality time, rest and where my priorities lie. I sought a “more flexible” work schedule than the 9-5 of the clinic, and, after 10 years, returned to the same heart monitoring unit I began at as a new Registered Nurse. I had to review and re-learn many basic nursing skills I had not used in my previous role. To my surprise, those skills came back quickly. However, while many moaned the transition to the new electronic charting, I celebrated the vast amount of information now easily accessed.

Why I am continuing my education:

I entered the RN-BSN program just a few short months after returning to the workforce. (By the way this is my final semester!!). I chose to complete this portion of my education for many reasons. The greatest reason is for my family. I believe this additional education will allow us to have more options and to work and grow together, instead of separately, in the few short years we have been given.

I am so excited for you all as this is our final class in the RN-BSN program.