Photo: Michele is the third women from the left.

Written by: Michele Parisi

I knew I wanted to become a nurse because I have always had a passion and a drive to be a part of the healing process. I believe that nursing is simply to give tender loving care while applying it to the everyday concept of medical care. Now, I have been a Registered Nurse for eight years,  and over these pasts few years I have had the pleasure to work with many talented and compassionate individuals who work in different departments, and within different capacities.  Working with these individuals at Northwell Health, I have realized that as a team we can accomplish anything.

We are all part of our patient’s healthcare team.  Whether it is the nurse, the physician, the nursing assistant, dietary, engineering, the security guard, administration, housekeeping, etc.   We are part of a team whose goal is to provide the safest and finest care we can deliver. We are all unique individuals who bring ideas to the table.

I became a part of Southside Hospital’s nursing team as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Labor and Delivery is an extremely intense, high-stress level area where emergencies occur daily and  I was privileged to work amongst the best team, and with them, we delivered the best care even throughout any emergency.  Two years later an opportunity was presented to me to join the Cardiothoracic ICU Fellowship program Northwell Health has. Throughout this experience, I was able to learn some of my best skills from the astonishing cardiac surgeons and the most remarkable nurses that I worked with.  After the fellowship,  I realized that my true passion was working in the delivery room and I accepted a position as an Assistant Nurse Manager. Taking on this task was a huge endeavor for me. This role is not about being a manager it’s about being a leader for your team. Communicating effectively, listening to others, leading by example, and many other traits are all qualities of the type of leader that I am. The culture of this organization has taught me how to be this way. Empowering one another, supporting one another, and collaborating with one another are some of the characteristics of the culture we have here that help guide me. We are all different and unique in our own way but we treat each other equally and with respect, and our patients receive the best care because of who we are. We are all truly together and that’s one of the reasons why I’m proud to work here.

Over the years, the best opportunity that I have been given is the opportunity to change people’s lives. I’ve taken care of some of the sickest patients in the hospital, and within weeks I’ve seen these patients walk out of the hospital. That’s the opportunity that touches me most and reminds me why I love being a nurse.  All of my other opportunities remind me why I love being a nurse at Northwell Health.