Meet our Blogger: Kate Best

best-kateHey there! My name is Kate Best. I’m currently working as an ICU RN. I grew up in the small city of Chardon, Ohio, but came to Columbus for college. I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Nursing in May 2015.

Throughout primary school, I was a huge science nerd. I competed in Science Olympiad, which gave me and introduction to anatomy and physiology. When I was in middle school, my sister was hit by a car and life-flighted to a trauma center. The nurses’ critical role in her recovery inspired me to become a nurse.

The best advice I’ve ever received came from my father, as he quoted my German great-grandmother, who died before I was born- “gutes tun”. It means “do good” in German. Each day, I try to do good things for others, slowly making a difference.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor pursuits- hiking, trail running, and rock climbing. I can be found at the bottom of the rock wall with an extensive first aid kit, complete with oral airways and a c-collar to alleviate my irrational fears of someone falling and needing full trauma triage. Regardless of how stressful a shift or how tiring a hiking trip, I am lucky to come home to two of the cuddliest cats in existence. I’ll totally admit to being a cat lady.

I really enjoy working with students, so I’m really excited about this blog. I’m looking forward to hearing what my fellow alumni are up to as well!

Meet our Blogger: Sydney Adelstein

adelstein-sydneyMy name is Sydney Adelstein, I graduated this May – 2016, and I’m from Cleveland, Ohio.  Obviously I’m a new graduate nurse (yes that is a position title that is placed on my badge until I am no longer less than a year or two out of nursing school) in the ER at one of Cleveland Clinic’s regional hospitals.  To be honest, the number one reason that originally pushed me into the field of nursing was the idea that I knew I did not want to be working in a chair or some form of business-ey type job for the rest of my working years.  I always knew I wanted to do medicine, just wasn’t quite sure what right up until the week of my OSU orientation.  I switched from Pharmacy, to Athletic Training, to Physical Therapy and then finally to Nursing and have not wished otherwise ever since!  And obviously I have to give credit to my parents for the push into nursing as well.

The best advice I have gotten over my four years of college and nursing school is definitely to not be scared to get your feet wet, and as cliché as it sounds, hard work really does pay off – and that goes for a multitude of aspects of life, not just my career.  Going into nursing school, and the beginnings of my career, not afraid of what to expect has helped me become, and continue to become, the nurse that I have become today and see myself growing to be.  It makes a world of difference, and people notice it!  I am super excited to be able to share all I have learned, experienced, and am currently experiencing with fellow CON people.  It has been nothing but a crazy ride for me that I am very grateful for.