NURSE ENTREPRENEUR
KELLY BAXTER , DNP , APRN , ACHPN
Founder , Baxter Palliative Care
What drew you to the nursing field ? I come from a family of nurses . I felt drawn to this work very early on , listening to the stories my mother and aunts would share about their varied experiences in nursing from a variety of settings . Nursing is a profession of the humanities . It ’ s built upon human connection , trust , empathy and caring . It provides meaningful opportunities to connect with individuals in times of vulnerability , fear , uncertainty and joy . Most people just want to be heard , validated and genuinely cared for — what better way to serve the community ? In addition to the emotional aspect , I ’ ve always enjoyed the science behind the profession , which involves critical thinking , knowledge and continuous learning .
Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it . In my years of practice in critical care , palliative care and hospice , I ’ ve had the privilege to connect with individuals who are at very fragile moments in life . In these moments , patients are often reflective , thoughtful and prioritize things in a much different manner . | | CONTINUED ON PAGE 87
CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
JEAN SALERA , DNP , APRN-CNS , FCNS
Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Professional Development , Women & Infants Hospital
Was nursing always your career path ? No , my first degree was in social work . I worked as a medical social worker , but nursing called to me . More specifically , working in the labor room setting called to me . I left social work , became a childbirth educator , then did labor support and was a postpartum doula before returning to school to become a nurse , and then a clinical nurse specialist .
What are you most proud of in your career ? There are many things I ’ m proud of , from my academic accomplishments to my research on intended parents and the postnatal period , to publications ( including one book chapter ). I am most proud of being the first licensed women ’ s health / gender-related clinical nurse specialist in the state , where my training provides me with a lens to manage and lead change . A women ’ s health CNS is an advanced practice registered nurse who , with collaboration of the health care team , works with the perinatal and women ’ s health populations and the nurses who care for these | | CONTINUED ON PAGE 87
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