Alumni Update: Q & A with Alexandra Tricozzi
November 19, 2014
#SpartanNursesWill
Alexandra Tricozzi (CON BSN '13) attributes her professional success as a Certified Pediatric Nurse to the well versed preparation she received as a Spartan. In the following, Tricozzi shares some of her experiences that has guided her success.
Q: Where are you working now? What is your title and or nursing specialty?
A: Employer: Cook Children’s Medical Center (Fort Worth, TX)
Title/Nursing Specialty: Registered Nurse, Certified Pediatric Nurse; Operating Room Circulator and floor nurse on the Tracheostomy and Rehabilitation unit
Q: How did your education at the College of Nursing prepare you for this role?
A: The College taught me the necessary skills and knowledge to become an entry level RN, but also provoked my interest in professional advancement and involvement in the community. The College has numerous opportunities that allow for personal growth if one is determined enough to seek these out. I personally became involved in research with Dr. Barbara Given, was class representative and Vice President of the College of Nursing Student Advisory Council, nursing student ambassador, and member of the Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. All of these experiences made me a competitive candidate when applying for nursing positions nationwide. I was fortunate enough to be selective when choosing where to begin my career.
Q: What made you decide to become a nurse?
A: Honestly, I changed my major seven times while at Michigan State! I am chronically indecisive, but ultimately felt nursing was the greatest fit to fulfill both my need for continuous learning and my passion to help others.
Q: Why did you choose MSU to obtain your nursing degree?
A: I knew I wanted to attend a Big Ten school, and I chose Michigan State University due to its gorgeous campus scenery, wide array of opportunities and experiences for any major, and the academic scholarship I received from the Honors College. I was excited to begin college, but I really didn't’t know much about MSU prior to moving. Now, I can honestly say that I am homesick EVERYDAY for Michigan State for a variety of reasons but am so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend such an outstanding institution. GO GREEN!
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect about your work as a nurse?
A: I have always had a passion for children, and I love building relationships with my patients and families that have long-term stays on our unit. It is extremely rewarding to see the children overcome physical and emotional obstacles and sometimes “defy science” when conquering certain illnesses. I am so blessed and honored to be able to take care of these children and be a small part of their cherished lives!
Q: What gives you the greatest sense of professional accomplishment?
A: A little over a year ago, I knew I wanted to work with children and had heard about nurse residencies. I Google searched the term “pediatric nurse residency,” and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas appeared on the webpage. I visited their website to learn more about the program. I quickly learned that it is a competitive program, and rightfully so!
Cook Children’s Medical Center currently has the nation’s only accredited, pediatric nurse residency program. I decided to apply and ended up receiving an interview via Skype. It was the most difficult interview I have experienced! Several weeks later they offered me the position to be a Nurse Resident. I was elated until I was told I had 24 hours to make a decision - I had never even been to Texas! I followed what my gut was telling me, and three weeks later, I moved to Fort Worth, Texas.
I am no longer considered a “Nurse Resident” as it is a year-long program that I have since graduated from. However, I am so thankful for the experience because I feel it QUICKLY shaped me into a competent, well-rounded nurse. The first six months of the program allowed me to rotate through various units including the endocrine floor, hematology and oncology unit, transitional and rehabilitation care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, emergency department, and operating room. As well as working on these units, the first six months of the program include a scheduled class day every two weeks. These classes were vital as they allowed us to debrief about our experiences and actively learn via simulations. The next six months nurse residents are placed on a unit via the needs of the hospital. I was the nurse resident that was placed in the Operating Room!
I learned so many unique skills (and life lessons) while working there and am proud that I am able to circulate pediatric surgical cases. I now work on the floor I was most passionate about while doing my rotations- the transitional care and rehabilitation unit. One side of our floor has many children (mostly babies) who have tracheostomy tubes and are either being weaned from the ventilator or whose parents are being trained to go home with their child on a ventilator. I love the education piece of this area as well as working closely with the Respiratory Therapists. The other side of our floor has a physical therapy gym in the middle of the unit and a big dry erase board with our children’s schedules for the day; most patients have a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and school.
The teamwork on our unit is truly amazing and every healthcare professional has a true passion for helping these children achieve their greatest potential.
I became Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified, and I have nearly 50 continuing education units due to outstanding classes and professional presentations that Cook Children’s Medical Center has to offer.
My greatest professional accomplishment thus far is that I received my Certified Pediatric Nurse certification after only being nurse for slightly more than a year. The residency program pushes you to attend a two-day review course held at our hospital and allows you to sit for the exam. I am so thankful to have had the program’s guidance becoming a new nurse, and I now have even greater motivation and confidence in myself to achieve the high goals I set for myself.
Q: Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student significantly helped you or inspired you when you were here at MSU? If yes, how?
A: Since day one in her pathophysiology class, Dr. Laura Freidhoff sparked my interest to understand the human body and her unique teaching style fulfilled my drive to learn. With every class came more connections from previous learned material, and Dr. Freidhoff was always willing to answer the insane amount of questions my mind would conjure or encourage me to dig deeper and find the answer myself. Truly, without her class as a foundation, I do not feel I would be as successful a nurse as I am today. I am grateful for each and every one of my professors at MSU that shaped me into a well-rounded, professional nurse.
Q: What are 1 – 3 things that have helped you succeed as a #SpartanNurse?
A: My determination and willingness to step out of my comfort zone, my education, and the loving, selfless nature that God has blessed me with.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: I am forever grateful to be a Michigan State Spartan and am proud to represent our school through the nursing profession.
