story by Van Mitchell, Contributing Writer
Jessica Davis didn’t envision herself growing up and becoming a nurse like her mother.
But that career path eventually changed, and she found the calling for a career in the medical field, where she now serves as an Intensive Care Unit RN at INTEGRIS Health Edmond.
“I never thought I would be a nurse,” she said. “My mom (Susan) was a nurse growing up, and you know growing up (I thought) I was going to do my own thing and be my own person. But it (nursing) eventually called to me too.”
Davis earned her Associates degree from Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, and her Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. She is now enrolled through the University of South Alabama pursuing her Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) and Nurse Practitioner degrees.
Davis said she was drawn to intensive care work while doing her clinical rotations.
“My patients sometimes don’t make it, but when they do, we celebrate that,” she said. “It is really about finding that time with the patient, that you can make them the most comfortable in their last days, and helping the family come to terms with that. It is trying to make them feel ok if they aren’t going to make it out of that situation. It is hard for the patient and the family. It is a tough thing, but I enjoy it.”
Davis said being an Intensive Care RN allows her to have a closer connection with patients.
“You are more hands-on, because you usually have one-to-two patients at a time,” she said. “You can laser focus on that patient and what they need, whether it is minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour depending on how sick they are. I really like that I get to have that more one-on-one quality time with the patient.
She continued, “You get to have those difficult conversations with the families and patients, and really try to understand what they want out of that care, and you have more ability to reach that care in the end goal. We can give you the highest rate of care, but it comes down to the patient’s goal of care, and sometimes that is no medicine at all. Being able to be there for them and help them achieve the goal they want out of medical care is what I want to help them do.” (story continues below)
As seen in Oklahoma’s Nursing Times:
Davis said working during the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging, but found ways to relieve stress.
“Covid was tough,” she said. “You cry. You laugh. You find joy in the little things you can, and then you get up and try again.”
Davis said it will take her about another three-and-a-half years to complete her DNP and NP degrees, and will begin her clinical rotations this fall. She said those degrees will allow her work in both the Family Practice setting, as well as Acute Care.
“That way I can see from kids to geriatrics across the lifespan,” she said.
Davis said her family and her Integris co-workers have provided her with a strong support system of balancing work, school, and motherhood.
“You have to make it work,” she said. “Luckily, I have a really good support system in my family. They help me when I need to do school stuff or extra clinical preparation. I couldn’t ask for a better team that I have, both family and at work.”
Davis said her mother, who has been a nurse for 18 years, is both a role model as well as a sounding board.
“I talk to her every morning when I drive to work,” she said. “She is the most dedicated person I know. If she needs to come in and help out, even if it’s not her day to work, she will be there. She is definitely my role model in how to help patients and staff alike get what they need. I am very grateful to have her in my life. She amazes every day with what she does and her knowledge base, and how she continues to grow and learn and teach other people.”
Davis also credits her husband for his support.
“My husband, Scott, has supported me through all the ups and downs of my career,” she said. “I couldn’t appreciate another person more for all he does to care for me when I need it the most.”
Davis’ hard work and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed after she was named Nurse of the Year for her department at INTEGRIS Health, by her fellow nurses.
“That was pretty awesome,” she said. “It was a pretty nice surprise to get that,” she said.
For more information visit: https://integrisok.com/careers
