Cheryl A. Flowers: Returning to Nursing After Trauma

Join Marcus for this touching and beautiful conversation with nurse, Cheryl A. Flowers, MSN, MSM-HCA, RN, CMSRN. They discuss Cheryl’s lifelong knowledge that she wanted to be a nurse, her first job in nursing and the evolution of her career.  Cheryl tells the story of a traumatic and life changing injury, how she has adapted and grown from it, letting go of expectations and accepting what is. Cheryl shares with Marcus how he was a source of inspiration for her to keep moving forward, especially in her personal journey, but also in her professional career. Key topics:[3:15] Cheryl’s lifelong calling of being a nurse[6:03] The moment when Cheryl’s life changed forever[7:54] Cheryl’s immediate moments following the accident[11:01] Cheryl’s struggle to communicate with her healthcare team as the patient[13:09] Cheryl’s diagnosis with a severe traumatic brain injury and how she found the strength and resilience to move forward from there[18:11] How do you move from who you were to where you are now?[21:58] The deep natural human desire, and added obstacle after Cheryl’s trauma, of wanting to fit in [24:19] The road to healing…[27:32] “Cut yourself a break”[30:08] Cheryl getting back to her calling, being a nurse[31:45] The full circle of now being an ANM on the same unit where Cheryl was a trauma patient and the benefits that her perspective brings to current patients[36:01] The hope found in overcoming adversity and moving forward[38:15] What piece of art would Cheryl take with her on a desert island?[40:05] What fictional character would Cheryl be for a day?[41:41] Cheryl being back on the floors learning from promising young nurses[44:12] How would Cheryl choose to spend $100 if it appeared in her wallet today? Resources for you:Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-a-flowers-msn-msm-hca-rn-cmsrn-456666135Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/Subscribe to the podcast: https://bit.ly/CompassionAndCouragePodcast Learn more about Cheryl A. Flowers, MSN, MSM-HCA, RN, CMSRN:Cheryl A. Flowers has been a Registered Nurse for almost 22 years. She graduated from Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes, Delaware, and started her dream job in the emergency department at Bayhealth’s Kent General Campus. During her 13 years working trauma medicine, she completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and joined the American Nurses Association, as well as The Delaware Emergency Nurses Association. She also held seats in multiple hospital committees and marched on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., for emergency nurses’ rights. She had the unique opportunity to be a Delaware state witness to assist the late Attorney General-Beau Biden, and Lieutenant Governor- Bethany Hall-Long as they imposed a permanent ban on the designer drug called Bath Salts thru Senate Bill 160. She has completed two master’s degrees with honors from Wilmington University. She is currently board certified in Medical-Surgical nursing working as the Assistant Nurse Manager on a surgical trauma unit at a level-one trauma center in Newark, Delaware. She has a true love for nursing research, education, and the nursing profession. Date: 03/22/2022Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in HealthcareEpisode title and number: Episode 42 – Cheryl A. Flowers: Returning to Nursing After Trauma