PA College Magazine - Fall 2021 - 1

SECOND
OPINION
Q What's the most important thing
A Our experts weigh in.
you learned from a patient?
"
Renee Mitterling Orris '97,
MSN, NP-C, CRNP
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
Penn State Health
Department of Neurosurgery
I have learned over the years that
people want to be heard and have
their concerns acknowledged,
whether these concerns are
reflective of their current chief
complaint or not. I have found
that patients are more satisfied
and express their appreciation of
being heard when their nurse
practitioner acknowledges what
they have said, provides further
information on the topic to
validate or reassure, and provides
some closure to their concerns.
Active listening is a skill that will
always be needed and appreciated
in health care.
"
Terri Bickert '79, DNP, RN,
NEA-BC
Nursing Practice Consultant
Retired Vice President of Nursing
Geisinger Health System
The most important thing I've
learned after caring for many
patients and families is: It is my
responsibility to be the best nurse
I can be. Nursing is both an art
and a science. Patients expect and
deserve both. The science of nursing
is constantly evolving, which results
in a need to continuously learn new
knowledge and skills. The art of
nursing is what sets us apart from
other professions. The patients and
families need us to connect with
them on a personal yet professional
level. Caring for another person, the
human touch and interaction, can
really make a difference in the lives
of patients, and in turn, each patient
makes a difference in our lives, too.
It is up to each one of us to make the
most of our abilities.
"
Zach Cain '20, RCIS
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
UPMC Harrisburg
While I've undoubtedly learned
the medical benefits of maintaining
a healthy lifestyle from the patients
I've met, I often underestimated the
importance of our mental health.
What I have been fortunate to learn
is that having a healthy heart is often
a lot more than just having clean
coronaries and a strong pump.
Having a healthy heart also consists
of managing our stress and having
love for the people in our lives. A
positive attitude radiates both within
ourselves and with others around us.
Medicine is not always as black and
white as it may seem. There is an
immense power behind the ability
to stay optimistic.
PA College / Fall 2021
1
PA College Magazine - Fall 2021

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