Nursing Profiles

Ofelia T.

Delano, CA
RN, Critical Care

There’s nothing mundane about nursing. I am challenged every day because I’m always learning and experiencing new situations. As a nurse, you have to provide comprehensive care for your patients, and that’s a huge responsibility that carries with it alot of gratification. My father is disabled, and I vividly remember the way the nurses cared for him. Not only did they have the necessary medical expertise, they were extremely comforting and made him feel secure. I was impressed by their work and, wanting to provide that same level of care for people, I decided to become a nurse myself. The most exciting thing I’ve been able to do as an Air Force nurse is to be part of a disaster team that responds to civilian and military disasters. I am the only nurse on the team so I am under a lot of pressure to be extremely knowledgeable. My team was able to respond to the Pentagon on September 11, and although our efforts were severely hampered by the risks of exposure to carbon monoxide, we still felt like we made a difference. It was an amazing experience — one I don’t think I’ll soon forget.