From Caretaker to Cardiac Nurse: May Graduate Finds Her Calling

From Caretaker to Cardiac Nurse: May Graduate Finds Her Calling

A self-described "natural caretaker," Lily Simone first explored the nursing field through her high school med-tech program, working as a nurse's aide at a Sylvania hospice facility at age 18.

The weight of caring for patients at the end of their lives could have overwhelmed someone so young.

Instead, it inspired her.

"I really enjoyed being able to have the one-on-one relationship with patients," Simone said. "Being able to make the person's end of life as best as it could be drew me into wanting to be a nurse."

Today, as a registered nurse on the Heart and Vascular Care Unit at the University of Toledo Medical Center, Simone represents the caliber of graduates the UToledo College of Nursing consistently produces: compassionate, skilled professionals.

In the most recent National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) licensure exams, in fact, UToledo nursing graduates significantly exceeded both state and national pass rates. An impressive 91.01% of graduates from UToledo's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program passed the NCLEX on the first try, while Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program graduates achieved a 96.15% pass rate, both notably higher than the state average of 84.04% and national average of 86.71%.

Mentorship, encouragement and guidance

For Simone, the decision to study nursing at UToledo also hinged on the excellent mentorship that fuels those outcomes. "I have genuinely felt encouraged and invested in by faculty throughout my time in the program."

She credits Dr. Eileen Walsh, professor, associate dean and chief nurse administrator, for guidance during her Honors Program capstone experience on vascular dementia, research she now applies directly on the job.

"Dr. Walsh significantly shaped my academic growth and confidence as a developing clinician," Simone said. "The staff, overall, I feel very comfortable with. It's a very good environment to learn in and also be able to be yourself."

Pursuing a specialization

Part of Simone being herself was finding her niche in nursing. Clinical rotations opened her eyes to different specialties.

A psychiatric rotation proved unexpectedly memorable: "We focus so much on the physical being of someone," Simone said. "To be treating a mental illness - it was just a very different perspective."

But it was cardiology that captured her heart.

"I love learning about the heart," she said. "There are so many parts to it and so much complexity; reading the rhythm in an EKG is fascinating."

After graduation, Simone landed a position on the UTMC Heart and Vascular Care Unit, which provides specialized care for patients with serious and often complex cardiovascular conditions.

Jamie Neary, assistant nursing director of the Heart and Vascular Care Unit, said starting a nursing career in a unit where patients need such a high level of care can, at times, be overwhelming and intimidating, but Simone has settled in well and shows a great deal of promise.

"I appreciate the fact she will jump in to help any time," Neary said. "She's not afraid to ask questions, she's eager to learn from our more experienced nurses and she has a really good bedside manner. I've received several compliments about her from our patients."

The high-quality care provided by Simone and the rest of the nursing team in the Heart and Vascular Care Unit recently earned national recognition with a bronze-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. UTMC is the only hospital in northwest Ohio to receive this national honor, and one of just 13 hospital systems in Ohio to hold a Beacon Award.

Critical thinking, precision and continuous presence

For Simone, the Beacon award validates the foundation of healthcare that nurses provide.

"Cardiac nursing, to me, represents the intersection of critical thinking, precision and continuous bedside presence," she said. "We're the person who is beside the patient through everything, 24/7. It's significant to care for patients during some of their most vulnerable and high-acuity moments."

That attentiveness recently earned Simone individual recognition. She achieved her first DAISY Award nomination for nursing excellence, recognizing her careful assessment skills and strong advocacy for patient safety.

Seeking an even higher level of practice

Simone's nursing journey continues to evolve. This fall, she said she plans to begin training to become a nurse practitioner through UToldeo's Doctor of Nursing Practice program while continuing to work on the cardiac unit. UToledo was the first public institution in Ohio to offer the online B.S.N. to D.N.P. program, designed to take B.S.N.-prepared nurses to the highest level of clinical practice.

That advanced education will also prepare Simone for more than one career interest. During her time at UToledo, she tutored pathopharmacology and discovered a passion for teaching.

"My mom is an educator. Her mom was an educator. I never wanted to be an educator," she said. "But it's something that I actually really enjoyed. I think I could see myself someday being a professor of some sort, but I would like to be a nurse practitioner."

From that first experience as a hospice aide to her current role on a nationally recognized cardiac unit, Simone embodies the UToledo College of Nursing's mission to produce highly competent, compassionate nurses.

As she continues to grow and pursues advanced education, she carries forward the values instilled at UToledo: excellence in practice, dedication to patients and commitment to the belief that nurses are truly the foundation of healthcare.