HEALTH HERO: ‘MY JOB ... IS MY WHOLE HEART’
Name:
Heather Arnett
Hometown (where you live now):
Tipp City
Job title:
Cardiac Surgery Nurse Practitioner
Where do you work:
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Ross Heart Hospital
Describe what your day is
like/what you do:
I am part of a team to assess how patients are doing after having cardiac surgery or monitor them before they have their surgical procedure. Each day, every patient is very closely monitored after surgery to ensure hemodynamic stability and manage issues early, and to facilitate a safe and timely recovery. Familiarity with potential complications and having a structured approach to management is key to facilitating optimum recovery. Through close collaboration with the interdisciplinary teams, patients are followed from the preoperative phase all the way through to discharge.
What inspired you to get into health care?
Bottom line: I like to see people recover from illness. It’s the little things that can make a huge impact on people who are going through a challenging time. Helping them achieve small milestones, only to smile with them as they are getting ready to finally leave the hospital, it’s a great feeling. I think it’s important to make the small steps feel like they count for something, because patients work hard for every single one. I’ve just always enjoyed taking care of others.
What’s a memorable experience you’ve had in health care?
My most memorable experience in health care is seeing someone walk into the hospital, all dressed up, just to say thank you. I was so touched. The last time I had seen this person, they were barely hanging on to life! Seeing that person with a big smile on their face — all I can say is there were happy tears.
What do you want readers to know about your job right now?
My job is not just hours to clock in, it’s my whole heart. It’s my passion. Even through these tough times, we are all in this together and we, as a team, are staying strong for those who aren’t strong enough. I’m honored to work with such a great team of caring people. It takes a village. I love the challenges and the rewards of seeing my patients get better. I’m part of something big and that’s a great feeling.