HealthLinks Upstate Jan/Feb 2022

64 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com JASMINE DRUMMOND, LPN With a background in human resources and a degree in political science, Jasmine Drummond’s nursing journey came as a surprise – even to her. When she decided to go back to school to work in the medical field in 2018, she actually set out to be a physical therapy assistant and began taking classes at Greenville Technical College. As a med tech at a group home for brain and spinal cord injury patients, she began to realize that she would have more patient care opportunities as a nurse, rather than as a PTA. “Nursing truly encompasses patient care as a whole, and I love doing patient care,” she said. Drummond has worked as an LPN in dialysis and long-term care/skilled nursing. “My passion is in dialysis. This is probably due to the fact that my father was a kidney transplant patient, having received two transplants,” she said. Her advice to new nurses: “The journey toward this career path is not easy, no matter which route you decide to pursue – whether it is as an LPN or RN – but, in the end, it is truly worth it. Also, finding what motivates you to give excellent patient care will be what drives you to carry on in this field. For me, the motivation was my father and seeing how passionate and caring his nurses were when he fell ill with cancer.” She also added that nurses should always prioritize self-care: “You are no good to anyone if you’re burned out, and burnout is very real in this field of work, so be vigilant and keep an eye out for signs of burnout in yourself and among your colleagues.” MANDY WILSON, LPN After attending certified nursing assistant classes, Mandy Wilson knew she wanted to make nursing her career. She earned her degree from the Washington County School of Practical Nursing in Abingdon, Virginia, and has now been a nurse for 17 years. She cur- rently works as an LPN at Oakview Park Assisted Living in Powdersville, South Carolina. She has worked in the hospital setting, mental health and drug rehabilitation, as well as home health. “Nursing is a calling for me. I feel blessed to be in this position for our residents and as- sist their families to provide the best care possible and to help navigate the complicated world of health care,” she said. Her advice to new nurses is: “Do all that you do with love and with a servant’s heart. You and everyone you meet will be blessed for it. Be open to learning new things from everyone who crosses your path. Know that you will never know everything, and that you can learn something from everyone.” Wilson has two sons – Kalbe, 21, who attends Clemson University; and Garrett, 13, who attends Lakes and Bridges Charter School in Easley. T H E P U L S E O N UPSTATE NURSES HealthLinks Upstate has partnered with KUDZU MEDICAL STAFFING to highlight some of the Upstate’s top nurses.