Tripler Army Medical Center  –   Meet Holly Ainsworth. She has been a nurse for nearly 14 years, 12 of which were spent in a clinical setting and Emergency Medicine. She currently works in the Quality Services Division on the administrative side of nursing as the performance improvement coordinator.
 
Learn more about Holly Ainsworth in the Q&A below!
 
Q: What inspired you to become a nurse?
Like many nurses, I wanted to help people, particularly people who couldn’t always care for themselves. I have always been a change agent, always wanting to make things better, whether it is people or an organization. I try my best to make a difference.
 
Q: What are five reasons to become a nurse?

1. Flexibility. Not just in your schedule, but in the field overall.
2. Opportunity. There are endless opportunities for nurses, you can choose a setting, population, or position.
3. Diversity. Nursing provides an environment like no other. You can be exposed to different types of patients every day, whether it be age, gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, specialty population, medical conditions, or rural versus city population.
4. Continuous learning. In the nursing field you have many opportunities to learn something new, even if you aren’t expecting it. You will learn skills you never knew were missing or needed.
5. Growth. Becoming a nurse was the scariest thing I ever did, but also the most rewarding, not just professionally but personally. Being a nurse allows you to grow mentally, emotionally, and for some, spiritually.

 
Q: What advice would you give to a student interested in becoming a nurse?
Be prepared to work hard. Nursing isn’t an easy profession, but one that will give you experiences you will never forget. When you think you just can’t do something, stop, take a breath, and know you will push through. You are never alone. You will make a difference.
 
Q: How do you inspire future nurses?
Show them the difference that nurses have made around the world, it could be as simple as a patient story, a coworker’s testimony, a practice change in a hospital, or even a change in legislation. Nurses never stop making a difference, so challenge them to start making a difference by becoming a nurse.