Transplant nurse inspired by friend who donated his life

This paid article is sponsored by Avera Health.

Career inspiration can come in many forms.

Avera Registered Nurse Patrick Casey was inspired by a close friend from his school days. Now, as he cares for patients undergoing kidney disease and transplant treatment, he feels he is honoring his late friend while serving others.

“Hannah was always kind to everyone and never got angry. I think that's why I wanted to be friends with her,” Casey said. “We were on the same golf team. She was always very calm and never got angry.”

He's referring to 12-year-old Hannah Green, with whom he played golf when he was 14. They were classmates in Marion, South Dakota. She moved to another town, but later became ill and was admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit, he heard.

The 14-year-old girl did not recover, but she continued to live because she and her family “bought in” to the idea of ​​organ donation. Many of her vital organs were donated to patients who needed them to live.

“This donation is a wonderful example of who Hannah was,” Casey said. “She saved so many lives. It made me think about my own life.”

His friend's legacy lives on in him and in the people whose lives were saved by her organs.

“I went to college to study nursing and my time on the transplant floor reminded me of her,” Casey said. “Now I'm part of a team that makes sure the gift of life is delivered, and it's amazing to see that in action.”

Study nursing and apply life lessons to your career choices

Casey spent time as a student nurse at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, where he learned about nephrology and transplant procedures. He graduated from the University of South Dakota. Careers at Avera.

“It was a good fit for me,” he says. “I got to experience different nursing units at Avera and other facilities. The team there was just so welcoming. They educated me and made me feel welcome.”

Casey is 23 and a new nurse. His team at Avera McKennan supports him every day. “We have great leaders and unit educators,” he says. “I'm not qualified yet, but I'm learning and being exposed to a lot of different things, from chemotherapy and oncology nursing to solid organ transplant care.”

He said most of it is done one-on-one, with more experienced nurses mentoring them as their skills improve.

Casey's nursing manager said he was on track to get a good job in the medical field.

“He demonstrates compassion and empathy every day and is like a sponge absorbing more about his profession,” said Karen Miller, nurse manager at Avera McKennan. “He's already received many compliments from patients and you can see every day that he wants the challenge and is ready to learn more.”

Casey is working towards becoming certified in the various roles within her work, including solid organ transplantation and oncology nursing.

Advice from a new nurse to those aspiring to become nurses

A busy ward with many patients, many nurses handling numerous procedures, care reports and other important tasks is Casey's life, but he says that with support and seeing victories, it all works out.

“We have patients who have recently had kidney transplants, and as we continue to see them, we're seeing signs of improvement,” he says. “When we look at their test results the next day, we see evidence of recovery. It's great to be a part of this success.”

Casey said nursing students can expect great success if they push themselves in their training. “Stick to the path, because it's hard,” Casey said. “Now I know that every day on the field can be a really good day, and you're learning every day. It's never boring.”

With his unit and floor supervisors leading by example and treating him as a valued part of the team, Casey knows he belongs in the job he started less than a year ago.

“My leaders are invested in my success. I told them about my inspirations and they really listened and shared theirs,” he added. “I know Hannah would be proud of me and I see an opportunity to help even more patients, just as she did with her donation.”

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