David Rothenberg, RN
As a registered nurse for 22 years, I currently work in the Critical Care Unit at  ­­­Health Central.  My past experience includes working in Med-Surge, the Burn Unit, Emergency Room and Intensive Care. 

Prior to being an RN, I was an EMT/paramedic instructor and a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Coast Guard, which introduced me to the option of becoming a registered nurse.  I graduated from an Associate of Science Nursing program and am currently working on my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

What I like most about being an RN is the variety of situations in which I can help people and become a positive influence in their lives.  For someone considering a nursing career, I recommend choosing an area of nursing to specialize in and obtain as much education as possible in that area.

Scott Grabowski, RN
I have been a member of the Emergency Department at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital (DPH) since March, 1995.  My first position in the department was as a clinical tech, a position that I held as I completed my Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Valencia Community College in 1999.  Since then, I have been an RN in the Emergency Department, and I also serve as a preceptor for new nurses joining our department and fill the role of charge nurse on occasion. 

Initially, one of the things that drew me to nursing was the fact that there are so many different careers that this single profession has to offer.  I was able to enter an education program and work toward a degree without knowing exactly what kind of nurse I wanted to be. 

I knew I was entering a field that would allow me the flexibility to drastically change my career along the way.  And yet, despite all the career flexibility that being a nurse offers and all of the opportunities that exist at Orlando Regional Healthcare, I have been in the same department for 13 years. 

For me, the pace and environment of the Emergency Department at DPH are what help make nursing a rewarding career.  I enjoy the team that I work with and appreciate the challenges that we experience treating our patients.

M. Curtis Arnold, RN
I am currently a registered nurse III at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and am nationally certified in oncology nursing (OCN designated).

I made a career change in 2000 to become a nurse, because I wanted to make a positive personal impact on the lives of others.  I had been working as an operations and management consultant with the state in the disability field.  I realized that instead of dealing with the impersonal aspects of people’s files and being hindered by bureaucracy, I could get on the other side of the desk and work directly with others.

Because I already had a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I entered the Associates of Science program at Valencia Community College and graduated in 2003.  I immediately went to work in medical oncology at Orlando Regional Healthcare/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with a wide variety of oncology patients in the inpatient setting.  I stayed in that position until recently when I transferred to the outpatient setting to deal solely with chemotherapy administration.

I enjoy being a nurse for several reasons.  The first is that it’s mentally challenging.  When you are responsible for someone’s life, you have to be on top of your game and constantly assess and reassess the situation.  There is a lot of critical thinking involved; it is not just doing routine tasks.  It is also a changing and evolving profession that requires you to update your skills with new treatments and better clinical practices. 

Being a nurse never gets old.  You are an important part of the healthcare team where your skills and input are necessary, respected and sought after. 

Another reason why nursing is great is the job security and flexibility.  You can work just about anywhere you want and put in the hours to fit your lifestyle.  You have the ability to explore the many facets of nursing from floor nursing, research, administration and education.  There are so many possibilities in nursing that you are only limited by your own ambition.

I advise someone thinking about a nursing career to have a strong desire to help people.  Hone your organizational skills.  Learn to take in the facts of a problem and critically think about solutions.  Learn not to be overwhelmed by the learning process involved in becoming an RN.  It takes time to feel like you know what you are doing. 

Never be so confident in yourself that you are unable to ask for help.  I know of no nurse who works in a void without any support around.   You’re part of a team … remember that.  Keep your life balanced.  Nursing can drain you (as any job can) and you need to find ways to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.  You’re no good to others if you are not whole.

Daniel Mercado, RN
I have been a Registered Nurse for 10 years and currently work in the 5C Telemetry and the Coronary Critical Care Unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center.   I received my Associate of Science in Nursing and have plans to complete my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

I became an RN to help individuals overcome their health issues while maintaining their dignity.  These issues entail death and dying to promoting optimal health in the critical care arena.

What I enjoy most about being an RN is the autonomy, advancement opportunities and personal satisfaction in making a difference in a person’s life.

I advise someone thinking about entering the nursing profession to have the willingness to learn and grow as the health care industry evolves.  Also, don’t be afraid to care, because when you nurse with your heart, great expectations become reality.

Madhar Naji, RN
Immediately after high school, I entered a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and after graduating in 2006, I began working as a registered nurse in the Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit at Florida Hospital.

My interest in the nursing profession began when my father had coronary heart failure, and I accompanied him to the hospital for his heart surgery.  In the ensuing days and weeks at the hospital, my outlook on life was radically transformed, and his surgery offered me a first but tantalizing glimpse into the world of hospitals and medicine.  

It was the nursing staff and their immense devotion to my father’s post-operative care that truly helped me to dig in my heels.  I was impressed and inspired.  I was stirred by their compassion and dedication to patient care.  Furthermore, these experiences taught me that happiness is not merely an emotion, but a state of mind which is a direct consequence of one’s perspective on life and physical well-being.  These were the first experiences that registered with me and left an indelible mark on my decision to come to nursing as a profession.

To those entering the nursing profession, I advise them to focus on time management skills and prioritization.  These points are of great importance, because they allow a nurse to build self-confidence, gain respect from others and minimize the risk of making fatal errors.

Mark Randels, RN
Fifteen years ago I became a registered nurse after working in high-rise construction and chemical plant work.  I enjoy science and working with people, so nursing was the perfect option.  Nursing provides an opportunity to have high job satisfaction, great hours, and the option of having an interesting life outside the workplace.  An RN has the luxury of earning a good living as well as having time to spend with family and pursue other interests.  Nursing can be summed up in one statement:  Save a life … Have a Life!

My specialties are Emergency and Post-Anesthesia Care at Health Central, and both areas provide plenty of variety in patient care.  My education includes an Associate of Science in Business and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

I advise potential RNs to be strong in the basics of nursing studies and to listen to those that have gone before you. 

Shogun Lugo, RN
I originally went to school to study business with a specialization in taxation, but after completing my senior internship, I soon realized that this line of work was not for me.  While I was attending business school, I worked full time in a retirement community, and it was here where I was introduced to the nursing profession.  Nurses cared for the residents every day and created a sense of family atmosphere which I came to admire. It was this group of nurses who made me aware of the potential I had to become a nurse.

I attended Seminole Community College where I obtained my Assoicate Degree in Nursing  and enrolled in a concurrent program at the University of Central Florida where I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing only two semesters later.  Now, I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Nursing Education while working for Orlando Regional Medical Center on the cardiac telemetry unit helping patients who suffer from chest pain go through a complete cardiac workup.

I absolutely enjoy my  team and look forward to work each day.  I base my practice on the family atmosphere that I was exposed to at the retirement community; it has had an everlasting impact that I strive to portray to each and every one of my patients.

I encourage all new nurses to find that special touch that lies within and use it to create an impact to the lives of all their patients.

Brian Brooks, RN
I am an Education Specialist for the Emergency Department at Florida Hospital.

My mother, a private-duty nurse, inspired me to be a medic, so I joined the Army after high school and completed active duty tour as a medic.  Soon after, I went into the Army Reserve and earned my License in Practical Nursing.

While training to be an LPN, I also attended college and received an Associate in Applied Science in Accounting and a B.B.S. in computer information systems.   After receiving these degrees, I worked as an accountant for two years and then switched back to working as an LPN in a nursing home. 

During this time I continued my education even further and earned my Associate of Applied Science and became an RN in a nursing home and later in an emergency department.  Now, I am working toward my Master of Science in Nursing.

I have been an RN for 12 years and enjoy working in the emergency department. What I like best about being an RN is the ability and satisfaction I get in helping others when they are not at their best.

My advice to anyone entering the nursing profession is to be compassionate and never stop learning.