HealthLinks Charleston Nov/Dec 2021

96 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com T H E P U L S E O N CHARLESTON NURSES HealthLinks Charleston wants to recognize nurses as the backbone of our medical community and thank them for all their efforts! LAUREN PARKMAN, RN, BSN Lauren Parkman just graduated – as of November – from South University with an MSN as a family nurse practitioner. She attended the University of Utah for her undergraduate degree. She is currently working at East Cooper Medical Center’s Emergency Department. “When you’re young, you want to change the world. Ultimately, I chose nurs - ing school over the Peace Corps because I wanted to make a difference in my local community. Working in a community hospital gives you the opportunity to create change by providing compassionate care and education that empowers patients. I love working in the ER because every shift is different, and you have to become adept at dealing with all types of emergencies.” Her advice to new nurses: “It’s important to speak up and advocate for your patient. You have the chance to make a huge difference in their life. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re ‘just a nurse.’” DANIEL THORNTON, RN Daniel Thornton began his medical career as a medic in the Army. He later became a medical assistant and then an EMT. He now works for Amedisys Home Health as a case manager in Charleston. He has experience in telemetry, the pro - gressive care unit, the emergency room and in rehabilitation. “Becoming a nurse allowed me to advance my career in health care while stay- ing actively involved with patient care,” Thornton explained. He added that his advice to future nurses would be: “Make sure you are learn- ing new skills at every opportunity. Get ER or critical care experience early. The reason why that is important is because a patient can take an acute turn for the worst in any clinical setting.” He concluded, “And be humble, but always stand up for yourself.”