For Ivy Gosine, who is a nurse manager of Labor & Delivery and the Mother/Baby Unit at Flushing Hospital, there is never a dull moment as she works in a fast-paced environment caring for women at their most vulnerable and strongest moments in their lives.
“It’s a lot of teaching in the short space of time we have with them and to help support and nurture them during this time, giving birth or going through a difficult experience in their life,” Gosine said. “It’s rewarding and at times it can be very emotional.”
Gosine, 49, who has lived in Queens for most of her life and now resides in Long Island, has been working at Flushing Hospital for 11 years. After she gave birth to her child, Gosine wanted to help women going through that experience entering motherhood. According to Gosine, it’s all a collaborative effort with the nurses and staff in her department.
“Everyone is essential to making sure the patient experience is great by offering guidance and support,” Gosine said. “We’re trying our best to make everyone’s experience as smooth as possible. The team here is representative of the community that we serve and we see that in the appreciation of our patients.”
It’s the appreciation of patients that helps Francesca Oriol, a registered nurse at Jamaica Hospital, get through her workday.
Oriol, 26, of Laurelton, joined Jamaica Hospital in 2016 as a unit clerk for the Labor and Delivery Unit and transitioned to the Intermediate Care Unit (ICU) in January of 2022.
After she saw the interaction between nurses and doctors in the Labor and Delivery Unit, Oriol said she wanted to become a nurse to provide hands-on patient care. Oriol works 12-hour shifts three days a week caring for three to four patients at a time. She monitors their vitals, nutrition, pain levels, and wounds.
“It’s the feeling of knowing that I’m making a difference for my patience,” Oriol said. “Prior to my patients entering the unit they were really sick, and me taking care of them and improving their wellbeing makes me feel like I’m doing something in this world.”
Oriol said she was inspired to become a nurse because of her aunt, whom she considers one of the biggest role models in her life.
“She’s been a nurse for 12 years now and I followed in her footsteps. I used to watch what she did and I loved it,” Oriol said.
While many people only see nurses and doctors, Oriol said it’s important to note the physical therapists, social workers and everyone else that plays a vital role in improving patients’ wellbeing and health.
For those who are considering a career in the nursing field, Oriol said they should follow their heart.
“There are so many opportunities and growth. The sky really is the limit when it comes to nurses,” Oriol said. “It’s demanding, but it’s rewarding. The empathy you show these patients and the gratitude they show to you is undeniable. Sometimes we doubt ourselves as to what we can do, but our ability is much greater when we apply it in the field and our patients.”
