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In what ways has the AAOHN membership been valuable to you?
It has
provided me with means to meet and network with other occupational health
nurses in the Austin area, and have a resource in nurses who have similar
circumstances as myself in my job. I have been provided continuing
education opportunities, and the journal that we receive is invaluable.
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What is your favorite member benefit and why?
Meeting and networking
with other occupational health nurses. A job as an OHN can be a very
lonely job, and many of us do not have corporate guidance. Learning what
others are doing has been very valuable in helping me in my job.
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Why would you encourage other Occupational Health nurses to join AAOHN?
It provides the opportunity to be a member of a professional organization
(always good on a resume!), network with other OHNs, and maintain CE’s,
and what’s the latest going on in the world of OHNs. It gives me a
personal feeling of belonging.
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Where do
you work and what programs do you manage?
I work for 3M at a research and development facility. I do many
different programs including WC, disability management, first
responders, international travel
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What is
one thing you love about occupational health nursing?
Autonomy and the self-gratification of knowing people are better off
when they walk out of my office than when they came in
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Favorite
activity outside of work:
Not just one! Camping, gardening, and horseback riding, caring for my
animals. Grandkids!
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Favorite
movie:
Sister Act and Dirty Dancing – I watch them both every time I find them on TV!
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Favorite
band/musician:
Several, I like a variety of music. And to my surprise, I loved going to
a Yanni concert several years ago.
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I maintain my work/life balance by. . .insisting on some down time on a
regular basis, ensuring that I regularly see my kids/grandkids, and
family, and do some activities that de-stress me such as gardening, caring
for my animals ( I talk to them like they are people, and I’m sure they
understand) and making sure when it is time, to take a day off of work. I
think it is important to understand not to sweat the small stuff, pick my
battles, and let go of what I don’t have control over.
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Store you would max your credit card at (if you could):
There are
several, but I could spend a lot at most any clothing store, camping
store, or children’s store for my grandkids.
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Sometime in my life, I would like to. . .retire and travel more!
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It would surprise most people that I. . .love to stay in the kitchen,
can veggies, and cook/entertain for many!
