ON THE RISE PAGE 67
Working as a nurse practitioner at Florida ’ s # 1 hospital , Mayo Clinic , keeps Rachel Hannon ’ 13 on her toes . She works in the intensive care unit caring for patients in the cardiovascular / thoracic ICU and the abdominal transplant / surgical ICU .
“ I find medicine forever changing and advancing . No patient is the same . Each patient is unique . We find new information every day ,” said Hannon .
Hannon said she has always loved caring for others and chose to pursue a nursing career while still in high school , but finding a college was challenging . She chose JU not only for its highly respected Keigwin School of Nursing , but because the University allowed her to simultaneously focus on her other passion : lacrosse .
“ I was the first lacrosse student to graduate with a bachelor ' s in nursing while playing all four years ,” she said . “ Jacksonville University is very unique , as many other Division I schools do not provide their student athletes with the ability to successfully do this in four years .”
Hannon holds the program record for draw controls in a single season ( 131 ) and led the Women ’ s Lacrosse team to conference championships three years in a row . She credits her coaches and professors for pushing her to be the best version of herself .
“ I remember the professors encouraging me to go out of my comfort zone and take my practicum in critical care which is where I now work . They knew the nurse I should be even before I did ,” she said .
At Mayo Clinic , Hannon tried on several different “ hats ” until she found one that fit . She started at the bedside within a cardiovascular unit , transitioned to the ICU , and eventually moved into a manager role overseeing a team . She missed working directly with patients , though . All the while , she continued her education . She earned a dual Master of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University , a postmaster ’ s certificate in adult geriatric acute care from JU , and her nurse practitioner license . Now , she ’ s back to doing what she loves most .
“ I moved back into the role of direct bedside care and have absolutely loved it ever since ," said Hannon . “ I enjoy feeling like I can make a change in other people ' s lives ."
Hannon offers this advice to future Dolphin nurses : “ Take care of yourself as much as you take care of your patients . Do something that prioritizes yourself every day . It could be a walk , a conversation with a loved one , yoga , working out , meditating , journaling , etc . Just remember to take time for yourself .”