Meet our May Alumni Spotlight: Theresa Johnson, RN
Meet Theresa Lynn Johnson, an RN Bridge graduate from 2017, whose journey in nursing has been marked by compassion and a commitment to excellence. From her beginnings as a CNA to her current role as a GI Lab RN and traveler, Theresa’s career reflects her unwavering dedication to patient care and professional growth.
Q: What influenced your decision to pursue a career in nursing?
Theresa: I have always held a place in my heart for helping others and have a lot of compassion. I was drawn to the healthcare field when I was a senior in high school. I started out as a CNA, then a Medication Tech, then became an LPN. I worked as an LPN for 24 years when I decided to advance my degree and graduated with my Associate’s in Nursing.
Q: How has your nursing career progressed since you graduated? What positions have you held, what was your favorite and why? And what are your responsibilities in your current position?
Theresa: I started out in Oncology and worked as an Oncology nurse for about 6 years. I began my oncology journey at the Cancer Center in Bolivar and have worked on the oncology floor at Mercy Hospital in Springfield and CUMC Bergan, Mercy in Omaha, Nebraska. I have been an endoscopy nurse for about 2 1/2 years. I started this journey at Mercy Hospital in Springfield and am currently in Omaha Nebraska at CUMC Bergan, Mercy Hospital. I began my travel nursing career in September 2022 and love it! I have loved my current hospital so much as an external traveler, I have recently begun a position as an internal traveler in the GI lab/Endoscopy department. With this new role, I can travel to North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Nevada or New Mexico.
Q: Have you specialized in any specific area of nursing? If so, what drew you to that specialization, and what are the unique challenges and rewards it has brought?
Theresa: I’m really loving my role as a GI Lab RN. I had a coworker recommend this role as I was becoming very “burnt out” in the oncology world. Caring for my father and working as an oncology nurse made it a 24/7 job. I needed a change, and this was exactly what I needed!
Q: Are there any particular moments or experiences in your nursing career that have stood out to you or shaped your professional growth?
Theresa: As an Oncology nurse, I was able to relate to so many of my patients’ families because I was also caring for my father who had lung cancer. I was able to share my story and could empathize; therefore, I felt like my relationships with patients and their families were better.
Q: Have you pursued additional education or certifications since graduating? If so, why did you pursue it and how has it enhanced your nursing practice and career prospects?
Theresa: Chemotherapy Certification, PALS, ALS
Q: Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself within the nursing field? How do you plan to achieve them?
Theresa: My current goals/aspirations are learning Spanish so I can better communicate with my Spanish-speaking patients. I am also working towards becoming a GI certified RN.
Q: How have you seen the nursing profession evolve since you graduated? Are there any significant changes or trends that you find particularly noteworthy?
Theresa: It’s continually evolving through technology and probably the increase in robotic endoscopic surgeries has been most fascinating.
Q: What is your favorite way to spend free time when you are not working as a nurse? Any special ways to de-stress? Fun hobbies to help unwind?
Theresa: I spend time with my dog, and I enjoy the lake, biking, and walking trails. I fly to Florida about every 6 weeks to spend time with my daughter, family and friends in the area.
Q: What advice would you give to current nursing students who are about to embark on their career path? Are there any key lessons or insights that you wish you had known when you were starting out?
Theresa: Find a “seasoned” nurse who can be a mentor for you. Do your work- spend time with your patients doing “the small extras” and not sitting at the desk when you have down time. Be helpful to your patient care techs/NAs. Show them your appreciation because without them, your workload increases.
Q: What would you tell someone today that is trying to decide whether to go into the nursing field or not?
Theresa: Definitely should! There are so many different types of nursing, you will never be bored! The sky is the limit!
Theresa Lynn Johnson’s nursing journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and a deep-seated passion for patient well-being. Her experiences, insights, and advice serve as invaluable resources for aspiring and seasoned nurses alike, echoing the sentiment that nursing is not just a profession, but a fulfilling lifelong calling. If you would like to share your story about any of our programs or would like to tell us what you’ve been up to since graduating, we would love to hear it! Just email Haleigh at hgray@bolivarcollege.edu with the subject line “Alumni Spotlight”.