by Vickie Jenkins
Jonna Criscuoli, RN loves her job, and why wouldn’t she? She is the Supervisor of the Birth Center at Deaconess Hospital. Criscuoli went to school at Western Oklahoma State College in Altus, OK. After going to LPN school, she immediately went to school to be an RN, cross-training in Labor and Delivery.
Asking Criscuoli her opinion on what qualities makes a good nurse, she gave me quite a few words, one after the other. “Patience, empathy, caring, compassion, confidence, multi-tasking and someone that can think quickly in a critical situation.” “What is the one quality that every nurse should have?” I asked. “I think a nurse should be a friend to everyone,” she answered.
“Did anyone influence you in becoming a nurse?” I asked. “Well, actually, I have a very unusual story about that,” she said, with a laugh. “When I was pregnant with my first child, I came here to Deaconess for my delivery. All of the nurses were so nice and sweet to me, I was thinking, what a nice place to work. I wish I was a nurse. It was because of my care here at the time, I actually changed my major from teaching to nursing. Thirteen years later, I graduated as an RN, applying here in 2005. There just happened to be one opening in Labor and Delivery, which is kind of a rare thing, especially for a new nurse. I got the job! I have been here ever since and I love my job. My 3 children were born here. So, it was the care that was given to me by the nurses here at Deaconess that influenced me to become a nurse. It’s so awesome.”
The favorite thing about being the supervisor in Labor and Deliver for Criscuoli is working in a fast-paced environment. She meets all sorts of people from different backgrounds, enjoys taking care of the patients and enjoys being in charge. “I am definitely a people person,” she says with a smile. “My absolute favorite thing is when I work in the Labor and Delivery room and I get to be a part of one of the most important events in their lives. I help bring a baby into the world. Even years later, I’ll see a picture of that baby on Facebook and it brings back all those memories. It’s just so awesome!”
“What advice would you give to someone going into the medical field?” Criscuoli answers, “Go into the medical field with your whole career ahead of you. You have to love what you do and the people around you should see that reflection in you. Don’t do it for the money, do it because you have a desire to do it. Always remember, what you do now is going to reflect on others.”
“If you could change anything in the medical field, what would it be?” I ask. “I would go back and not focus on the business aspect so much. I would take care of the patients in more of a bedside manner, when things were simple. I wouldn’t have so many laws or insurance issues or legalities.”
Criscuoli likes to stay active and on the go. She spends her time doing Boot Camp workouts. “There is something about getting that adrenaline rush,” she comments. “You’d think I was a workout model but I really just do it for health and fun,” she laughs. “I like to travel when I can but haven’t been to very many places in the states. I was fortunate to marry an Italian so I get to travel to Italy ever so often. I think my dream is when I retire, get an RV and travel from one end of the country to the other, stopping at all the state parks and just enjoying the time, making me a happy camper,” she adds.
“If you were to describe yourself in 3 words, what would those 3 words be?” I ask. “Oh, I’ve never been asked that before,” Criscuoli says. “Well, people tell me I’m funny and witty. I am a very humble person and I am very personable. I can be friends with anyone and all kinds of personalities,” she replies. “Hey, that’s more than 3 words, isn’t it?” she says with a smile.
Here, at Deaconess hospital, you will find plenty of TLC as your bundle of joy is welcomed into the world. A big THANK YOU to all of the nurses at the Birth Center, Labor and Delivery
