CAREERS IN NURSING: A CALLING TO BE A NURSE – METABOLIC CARE CENTER

Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer

Sometimes, a person seems to fit into their profession, as though it was always meant to be. That is the way it was for Brandi Nicolle, LPN. “When I was little, my mom owned a dance studio, so I grew up in the dance world. I just knew that I would be a professional dancer! I was a dance performance major at Oklahoma City University, but, I soon realized there was something missing. I had an overwhelming desire to help people. That’s when I decided that I would become a nurse. I attended nursing school at Western Technology Center in Burns Flat, OK.” (story continues below)

Growing up in several small towns in Oklahoma; Pawnee, Fair Fax and Burns Flat, Brandi always had a desire and a need to help others. “ I had a love for people and always wanted to advocate for my patients plus have empathy for them,” Brandi commented. “Now, I‘ve been a nurse for twenty years and have worked here at OKCIC, The Metabolic Care Center for almost two years. I have worked in Home Health, Long-term Care, Memory Care and Skilled units. I am the nurse for Dr. Kaly in the adult endocrinologist and director of the MCC where we see approximately two hundred patients a month. I have a personal connection with endocrinology because I have a Type 1 diabetic child and working in the MCC gives me a feeling that I have a part in paving the way for what will be available to my child in the future.”
Did anyone influence or encourage you to become a nurse? “Actually, it was my oldest daughter that influenced me to go into nursing. I wanted a better life for us and that is when I knew for sure that God had called me into nursing. My first job was for a staffing agency which gave me a wide variety of experience in numerous different settings, allowing me to find my true calling,” Brandi said.
“My day usually begins between seven and seven-thirty. I enter the lab orders for the day, prepare check-out sheets for the patients, prepare exam rooms, check messages and return phone calls. I take the patients to the rooms, assist with checking out and scheduling for follow-ups and assist patients to any other services they may need. I enjoy my job and I still have that desire to help others.”
“My biggest reward in nursing is celebrating along with my patients as they reach their goals, along with watching their improvements with each visit. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that I have helped make their life better. On the other hand, my biggest challenge is when I run into the non-compliant patients that don’t follow their regimen and get frustrated when they don’t meet their goals,” Brandi said. ‘Thank goodness that doesn’t happen too often,” she said with a smile.
Asking Brandi if she had any awards or recognitions over the years, she replied,” Since I grew up in the dance world, I received scholarships to professional dance studios in California. I was crowned Miss Dance of Oklahoma in 1996. I toured with Dance International Australia Tour. I was a member of Oklahoma City University’s Dance Company and also a Pep Dancer. I have received Employee of the Month awards at various companies that I have worked for over the years and I received an award from Work Force after graduation from nursing school.”
Advice to someone going into the medical field? “Volunteer, get your CNA license, and make sure the medical field is what you want before diving in,” Brandi said.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your life? “COVID-19 has definitely changed our work ethic. Here at the clinic, we started rotation and share Virtual visits with our patients, which I know will be beneficial in the long run for many of our elderly patients. We may go weeks without seeing our co-workers which is difficult. Even though things are rough now, we know that there are some positive aspects,” Brandi replied.
Brandi is married to a policeman, and has four beautiful children; three girls and one boy. Overall, Brandi says that she is definitely a leader and always has been. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, reading, playing with their spoiled German Shepherd, Athena and of course, going shopping!
Summing up her life in three words, Brandi said, “No dull moments!”