From Tragedy to Triumph: A VA Nurse's Journey to Specialized Care
When Sarah West chose to become a nurse practitioner, her path was not only defined by a career choice, but also shaped by the personal tragedies she had endured.
Losing her father to a heart attack at the tender age of 10, and her mother to stage 4 breast cancer just six years later, West was inspired to follow in her mother's footsteps, a dedicated nursing assistant, to enter the world of healthcare.
She embarked on her journey at Lewis University's nursing school, unaware of the unique opportunity that would soon divert her course toward an enriching professional trajectory. During a class lecture, her clinical instructor introduced the VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP), an opportunity to intern at the esteemed Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago's western suburbs. West seized the chance, applying immediately, and was soon selected for the coveted position.
West found herself embedded in the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI/D) Center at Hines VA, providing care for bedridden veterans alongside experienced VA wound care nurses. The Center, a comprehensive 58-bed unit, offers a broad range of medical treatment and rehabilitative services. West found herself particularly drawn to the complexity of spinal wounds, an interest that would later define her area of expertise.
Among the impactful encounters during her tenure was the care of a 20-year-old veteran, paralyzed from the chin down and reliant on a ventilator. His request for West's long-term care, due to her compassion and proficiency, was a testament to her skills and a transformative experience, as he was among the first ventilator-dependent patients she had cared for.
West attributes her professional success to VA-STEP. Not only did it offer her invaluable experiences, but it also provided a steppingstone toward her wound care certification and further pursuit of an advanced degree in the field.
"I am grateful for VA-STEP; without it, I can't envision where I would be now. It gave me a foot in the door, and while my career didn't unfold exactly as I initially planned, I appreciate the wealth of experiences that led me to my ultimate career goal," said West.
West continued her journey at Hines, eventually emerging as a wound ostomy continence nurse practitioner. "I have my dream job now, and I owe it to the VA for their unwavering support," West expressed, "They sought me out, selected me, and nurtured me. For that, I couldn’t be more grateful."
Editor's note: VA-STEP offers an exceptional opportunity for distinguished college nursing students to enhance their clinical competencies at a recognized medical center. The program aims to foster participants' clinical skills, judgement, and critical thinking, all while caring for our nation's Veterans. For further information on the Hines VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP), please contact Jolene Simon at jolene.simon@va.gov.