DPH Staff Spotlight: Nurses

While in nursing school, Olivia came to the Shattuck Hospital for her clinical training and says she was immediately impressed by the diverse and caring staff. So much so, she joined the staff and has been a nurse at the Shattuck for 18 years.

She is proud of her work with patients who come to the hospital from the Department of Corrections. “I have been called in when these patients were hesitant to receive medical treatment,” says Olivia. “And many times, after our meeting, I was able to put them at ease and change their mind. I like being able to use my skills in this way.” 

Olivia says being a nurse is not just a job. As she says, “It has to be in your blood. To be a nurse you need a compassionate mentality, knowing that we all come from different walks of life.” She encourages other nurses to apply to the Shattuck. “It is truly rewarding to work with such a diverse group of staff and patients.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Lizabeth has been at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain for an astonishing 36 years — and she knows at least one reason employees tend to stay: it’s the feeling of “belongingness,” as she puts it: being part of a family.

“When I started at the hospital so many years ago, my goal was to earn enough to help my family back home in the Philippines,” says Lizabeth. “I told myself I would stay here two years, but I found myself growing into a family that I never had here in America.” It’s true that many employees stay for decades.  

Another reason employees want to work at Shattuck? “It’s the mission,” she says. “Helping an underprivileged population is the key to why employees stay.” For Lizabeth, that means ensuring the highest quality services in the operating room, a specialty unique to the Shattuck among all four public hospitals. “Improving practices in the perioperative setting gives me satisfaction that I have made a substantial contribution to DPH and the people we serve.”  

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Seibatu is a nurse manager at the Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain, where she has been for eight years. She says having the ability to make a difference in a patient’s health on a day-to-day basis, incorporating their families, and supporting them as they recover all make being a nurse unique and special.

Seibatu remembers one time trying to convince a difficult patient on the unit about the importance of his IV antibiotic treatment. The patient was ready to bolt, but after their discussion, chose to stay. “My approach was simply to be honest and objective,” she says. “As a result, the patient stayed for the duration of treatment and expressed his gratitude. That reminded me why I chose nursing as my profession.” 

She describes Shattuck as “a diverse hospital that helps each of us to learn, and build a heathy and better relationship among ourselves, patients, and families.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Eileen started as a floor nurse in July 2008, then became a charge nurse, and eventually a unit nurse manager.  Before coming to the Shattuck Hospital, she worked in women’s health and alcohol and drug treatment. Eileen has also volunteered her nursing skills in Mexico and Peru, to care for underserved, rural populations with limited or no access to health care. 

“My passion is public health and serving the needs of people less fortunate than others in life,” says Eileen. “And that fits with my role at the hospital, where I work with the Department of Corrections to provide the best possible care to our incarcerated population. I’m so proud of the work we do.” 

Eileen is eager to encourage other nurses to apply to DPH to join the Shattuck community. “I want to spread the word about how wonderful it is to work here. Our nurses dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to our unique patient population.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Jamie has been at Pappas Hospital for eight years and loves what she does. “I am lucky enough to work with kids every day, which is always exciting and unpredictable,” she says. “Their innocence and joy in the little things bring a smile to my face and keep things in perspective for me on a daily basis.”

Something she loves to see at work is when one young patient goes to comfort another, asking if they’re okay, and offering support. She says Pappas is full of such beautiful moments.   

Jamie decided to become a nurse after her brother, who was born disabled, became a patient at Pappas many years ago. She was inspired by one particular caregiver who became a role model and encouraged her to pursue nursing. Jamie welcomes other nurses to join her at the hospital, “because working with kids has a way of always making you smile and we have the most caring staff, the absolute best coworkers anywhere.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Kristen is an LPN at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, where she has worked since 2018. The absolute best part of the job? Coming to work and spending time with the patients, who she says always make her smile.

“These children and young adults inspire me every day with their resiliency to overcome their own challenges.” Kristen says working as a nurse can definitely be challenging, but she has found it tremendously rewarding.   

“To me, the best part of being a nurse is making a difference in patients’ lives. The patients here are truly amazing, and it’s an honor to be able to care for them.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Claudette loves her job, especially being able to make each patient feel special. She says her work at the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children is especially rewarding as she continues to keep each patient healthy, safe, and happy.

“What I enjoy most about working at Pappas is observing the progress patients make between admission and discharge. I like the environment. All patients are treated with respect and dignity, and no one is left behind.”  

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Rosewinter was hired at Tewksbury Hospital in 2007 as an LPN and became a registered nurse in 2014. She works on the unit that cares for patients with Huntington’s disease, which attacks areas of the brain that control movement.

“My patients are a very vulnerable group,” says Rosewinter. “The job can be challenging at times, but I believe nursing to be more of a calling than just a profession. It takes more than academics and passing NCLEX exams. One needs to have compassion and a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives. 

She is quick to praise her hospital colleagues and calls Tewksbury a great place to work. “Most people don’t know that I was a high school teacher in Zimbabwe for 12 years before coming to the United States,” she says. “I trained to become a nurse and I couldn’t have made a better decision.”  

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today.

Alyssa is a charge nurse at Tewksbury Hospital, where nurses can become like family to the patients they serve, especially the many long-term patients with complex needs.

“We’re not just their nurses. Many of our patients are with us for a long while and have limited families and friends, so we become their support system,” Alyssa explains. “It’s so gratifying to see patients able to leave the hospital and begin their next chapter, outside of a hospital setting.” 

Alyssa, who was named Employee of the Month for March 2023, says Tewksbury has enabled her to grow professionally and personally, and she encourages others to check out their job opportunities. “It’s a special place,” she says. “We pride ourselves on helping a population that would otherwise be neglected in our community.”  

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Brenda says that new people who come to work at Tewksbury Hospital tend to stay a long time — “and that speaks for itself,” she says. Brenda loves working with the diverse patient population and would “absolutely” recommend working at Tewksbury Hospital.

Brenda says that every position she’s held helped shape the person she is today, professionally and personally. Brenda shares, “Working here has enhanced my knowledge, improved my responsibilities and taught me new skills.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today.

Kerry has been working as a registered nurse at Tewksbury Hospital for the past 18 years. She is passionate about patient care and finds great satisfaction knowing what she does at the hospital has a positive impact on the lives of patients.

“Many of our patients are with us long-term, and our team is their support system. Some are here for a shorter time, and it is very rewarding to take care of them and see the progress they make to go back to the community setting.”

Kerry also expressed gratitude for her colleagues, who she identified as one of the main reasons that she has chosen to work at Tewksbury for so long. “I have a wonderful group of colleagues here, and we take pride in providing the best care for our patients.”

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today.

Pauline, who has been at Western Mass Hospital in Westfield for more than seven years, says what she likes best about her job is the joy in caring for others. “I’m proud of the impact my role as a nurse has had on patients’ lives,” says Pauline.

She says the field of nursing has allowed her to enjoy the rewards of serving others, while at the same time, growing as a professional and as a person. Pauline says, “As a nurse, I know I’m making a positive difference in the lives of others.” 

Why should other nurses work at DPH? She says the Department is built on a strong foundation of excellence in patient-centered care. Pauline sees every day that the DPH focus is on collaboration and team building, which leads to better patient outcomes. 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Qwanda has been at Western Massachusetts Hospital in Westfield for 15 years, currently working the night shift as a nurse supervisor. She says she loves the spirit of cooperation and teamwork at the hospital, and she’s proud of the contributions and value that hospital employees offer to the community.

“I appreciate the high standard of quality care given to our patients and families,” says Qwanda, “all while remaining focused on our hospital’s mission and vision.” 

What is special about working as a DPH nurse? “I really enjoy being able to care for patients, offer support, and also mentor our staff,” she says. “DPH offers an excellent learning environment, great benefits, and lots of opportunities for career advancement. I encourage other nurses to consider a role at DPH.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Julie is a nurse in the DPH Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality, where she has worked for over six years, currently as a Licensure Unit Supervisor.

She says relationships are central to her job, specifically the cohesive relationship she has developed with DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and Drug Control Program. “Together we license clinics to ensure quality and safe health care delivery across the Commonwealth,” says Julie. “That’s really satisfying.” 

“As a nurse in the state’s public health department, we look at the whole patient experience,” Julie says. “Nurses who come to work at DPH have the chance to elevate their mission to see that the optimal level of health care is provided to all.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today. 

Danielle is a Clinical Resource Nurse in DPH’s Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality, where she has worked since 2018. She says she most enjoys the teamwork and being part of a collaborative effort to make a difference each day in the Commonwealth.   

“Being a nurse can be one of the hardest jobs out there,” says Danielle. “But it’s also rewarding to be able to see the positive impact we have on people’s lives.”

She says working for DPH has created new opportunities and allowed her to use her skills in ways she hadn’t before coming to the Department.

Danielle believes she is a different nurse today thanks to her experience at DPH. “It is a career path that can lead you to places you least expect,” she says. “I never imagined being where I am today.”

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today.

Mary is a nurse specialized in caring for survivors of sexual assault. Since 2004, she has been a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), working with other nurses, physicians, and rape crisis advocates at six sites in Western Massachusetts. She provides patients with compassionate care, helping them make informed decisions and guiding them through a process that includes evidence collection. “No two patients are alike,” says Mary. “Critical thinking and open-mindedness are a must.”

Having worked many years in the field of disabilities, Mary has helped develop protocols around the care of sexual assault patients with disabilities.  

“While difficult at times, this work has brought me such joy and gratitude for the SANE program and SANE nurses across the state. We make a difference for our patients — not only in the moment, but moving forward in the healing process.” 

Interested in joining the team? Explore open DPH nursing positions today.