|
|
|
Giving Her All, Loving Her Work
"They're the best patients in the world," says Holly Eglsaer, RN, BSN, OCN, staff nurse on one of Froedtert's cancer inpatient floors. "They've taught me so much about bravery."
 |
|
Eglsaer, a nurse for almost 30 years, loves her co-workers, too. "They're fun and we're a great team. I've worked for other hospitals, so I know teamwork when I see it."
She even entrusted her dying father to the care of her fellow nurses. In 2004, her father passed away on her floor. "I helped my mother care for him at home. I was stressed — it was very hard. But the minute we got him to our floor and I knew my friends were taking care of him, I relaxed, because I knew they would do their best for him.You can't have a higher level of trust than that," she says. |
Eglsaer has been with Froedtert 15 years and has worked with cancer patients for nine. In October, she passed her oncology certification exam, an achievement that shows her dedication to nursing and her desire to keep learning new things.
Working with cancer patients, Eglsaer says, "We see the unusual.We have to keep up on things. Being a cancer nurse challenges me intellectually and emotionally, because our patients' outcomes vary. And those who do well often go through rough times. As oncology nurses, we use not only our medical skills, but our counseling and teaching skills — we really use everything we've learned."
Froedtert's 7/70 schedule (seven 10-hour days on, seven days off) is another high point for Eglsaer. "I've worked at other hospitals and I've worked other schedules. Here, you have a patient all week long and can really get to know him or her. Patients often come in on the same cycle with chemotherapy, and they really like it, because they see a friendly face. I like it, too. It's very satisfying."
Eglsaer adds, "The work can be emotionally taxing, but after I have my week off, I'm really ready to come back to work on Monday. And I'm ready to give it my all every time."
Source: Froedtert Today Date: December 2005 |
|
|