This week, we are excited to celebrate National Respiratory Care week. Respiratory therapists (RTs) are an incredibly important part of the work we do here at Children’s Minnesota.
RTs are essential in helping patients of all ages overcome breathing obstacles. Thank you to all of the respiratory therapists at Children’s Minnesota for the remarkable work you do every day!
To celebrate, we are excited to introduce you to Nicole, respiratory care unit educator. Nicole has been a respiratory therapist at Children’s Minnesota since 2018, and this year took on the very important role of co-educator for Med/Surg and the emergency department (ED) to help onboard new RTs.
Get to know Nicole!
What inspired you to want to work at Children’s Minnesota?
“When I had clinicals here as a student, I got to see how great of a team the RTs at Children’s Minnesota are. They all care deeply about their patients and their families, collaborate well with the other disciplines throughout the hospital, and have a wealth of knowledge on caring for their patients. I knew I wanted to join this team and help them in providing great, quality care.”
Why did you choose to work in pediatrics?
“I always knew I wanted to go into pediatrics. I had severe asthma as a child and remember the great RTs in the hospital where I had been admitted. Since I started working here, the patients and families I have met have helped to solidify that decision for me.”
What do you want patients, families and/or staff to know about the work you do?
“work with nearly every department within the hospital. They are stationed in every intensive care unit (ICU), ED, and floor unit working closely with the RNs and clinicians in observation rooms all the way to some of the most critically ill patient rooms. We often partner up with physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech during their rehab times for some of our long-term inpatient kids. RTs interact nearly daily with pharmacy, clinical support associates (CSAs), central processing department (CPD), lab, operating room (OR), case management, social work, bio-med, radiology, and music therapy.”
Do you have a favorite memory from working at Children’s Minnesota?
“Whenever I get to see one of our patients that has been with us for a long time go home, sometimes for the first time ever, that is incredibly special. The anticipation and excitement building up from the family before they leave the hospital can be infectious.”
What is your favorite Children’s Minnesota value?
“Definitely Kids First. I wanted to go into pediatrics to help kids, and I always try and keep that at the forefront. When I have extra time during rounds, I like to spend more time with my patients – reading books, singing songs, playing with toys. Families are not always able to be there every second with their kids, so I want to help make the time go as smooth as possible until parents are back.”
Join our team!
We’re celebrating 100 years of caring for kids. And we’re gearing up for the next 100. That kind of devotion requires a powerhouse team, health care professionals with talent, experience and heart. If that sounds like you, apply to join our team today!
