By Kellie Lovett, BSN, RN

I went to West Virginia Wesleyan College for my BSN and graduated in May 1987. I started my first job at Allegheny General Hospital, a Trauma Center (Pittsburgh, PA) in the neurosurgery department, where I worked for two years. We took care of patients who had brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back surgery, brain surgery, eye surgery, seizure patients and those with multiple traumas.

My next job was at Holy Spirit Hospital (Harrisburg, PA), where I worked in the ICU and was ACLS certified. We took care of medical and surgical  patients. I went through a six-week critical care course where we learned a lot about multiple organ issues and learned how to monitor critical patients. I worked with central lines, arterial lines, intubation, ETT placement and management. We monitored the patients continuously and used life-saving medications. I learned how to rely on my coworkers to help me when needed and I helped them when they needed something. I worked there for two years and it was one of my best experiences. 

I then moved to Richmond, VA to work in the ICU at Stuart Circle Hospital. It was similar to my other ICU experience. After a couple years in the ICU, I moved to the PACU. It was a new experience, but we still took care of some critical patients. I helped the anesthesiologist with blocks and line placement. My ICU experience helped me transition into the PACU. I worked there until six months before Stuart Circle Hospital closed. 

Then, I transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital as a pre-op nurse and post-op nurse. I continued to take care of pre and postoperative surgical patients. It was an ambulatory surgery clinic, so the patients were less critical,  and  I  started taking care of children. I then got my PALS certification with my ACLS certification. I worked with many different surgeons and surgical patients. I worked there for about 10 years before leaving to work as a pre-operative nurse for OrthoVirginia Operatory Center. At OrthoVirginia, I worked closely with the anesthesiologists; I helped with blocks, started IV’s and did pre-op assessments. I helped in both the OR and PACU as needed. I ran the holding area for 10 years and restocked and ordered supplies. I was known for my proficiency in starting IVs. I learned to be good at IVs from my ICU days.  

In 2018, I moved to Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center to work in the 2D Surgical Specialty Clinic. I always loved surgery, so I wanted to stay in the surgical field. On 2D, I have been the charge nurse and lead charge nurse. I am on many committees such as Professional Practice, Staff Methodology, Pharmacy, and Safe Patient Handling. During the beginning of COVID, I was deployed to the COVID ICU. I worked there for three months and I got to use my ICU skills again. I have worked with my supervisor and ENT attending to start a rapid Covid testing lab in the clinic to keep patients and staff satisfied. I am a care coordinator for Vascular Surgery, ENT, and Plastic Wound Ostomy. I have worked on many of the surgical services in the 2D clinic.