Life and Work with Alexa Forniss BSN, RN, CCRN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Forniss BSN, RN, CCRN.

Alexa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At a very early age, I knew I wanted to help others. I was drawn to the field of nursing from the moment I volunteered at a nursing home in high school through a student organization for future healthcare professionals called Health Occupational Student of America (HOSA). From that point, I was determined to become a registered nurse, so I started the rigorous journey that led me to Clayton State University’s (CSU) School of Nursing. After graduating with my BSN, I started the nurse residency program at Emory University Hospital (EUH) in their Surgical/Transplant ICU. Starting my nursing career in new graduate ICU program is what sparked my desire to inspire other new nurses on the same path and from it, I created www.nursealee.com. Recently, I have started working as a travel nurse to experience a field of nursing that connects me with my other passion — traveling the world! I started my blog not only to encourage both aspiring and current nurses but also to share my travel adventures away from the bedside!

Has it been a smooth road?
Personally, I don’t think any nurse can say their journey was a smooth road but no journey worth traveling is. My biggest struggle throughout nursing school was my poor test-taking skills. Once I overcame that hurdle, things were considerably better. Yes, it was discouraging at times when I didn’t make the grade I studied so hard for – but I was determined and I stayed focused. You can never be afraid to make necessary adjustments if things are not moving in the direction you desire. I decided to work harder and make adjustments to my test-taking strategies and that is what brought about my success. The road to becoming a nurse is filled with many, many challenges. You must not let anything distract or stop you from reaching your goal.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a registered nurse that works in a Surgical/transplant Intensive Care Unit (STICU, currently on a travel nurse assignment in Los Angeles, California at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. As an ICU nurse, I manage a variety of critically ill patients admitted for many other disease processes and surgical procedures such as organ transplantation (mainly liver & kidney) and complex abdominal surgeries. When I am not at the bedside, I am traveling the world and exploring new adventures! Although I am on a travel assignment, I still work at my home hospital in Atlanta, GA. One thing that sets me apart from other critical care nurses is that I have my Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification — and my southern charm of course lol!

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
In media, it is always easy to focus on challenges over success, especially when it comes to the millennial woman. I feel like there are more opportunities for women today than there ever has been. In today’s society, women are speaking up for themselves, becoming entrepreneurs, expanding their knowledge and charting clear pathways for advancement. They are more present and taking leadership roles not only in the workplace but politically as well. Some positions may seem to be well-suited for women but that doesn’t mean they should feel obligated to fulfill it. Women can decide what is best for themselves. Find your passion… whatever that may be and go for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nursealee.com
• Email: nursealee1@gmail.com
• Instagram: @nurse_alee
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/NurseALee
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nurse_alee
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUz0ZJ7PvyYZQWv2ILqGoTA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credit:
@nurse_alee

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