We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vanessa Maxwell . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vanessa below.
Vanessa , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s /jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being a minority is exactly what I am in my nursing specialty. I want to say anytime you are speaking of race from a professional setting you seem to want to proceed with caution for fear of “whatever”. It is a hard discussion to have but it is ever-present. I am a Mastered Prepared Certified Registered Nurse. I have been a nurse for 20 years and started as an associate degree nurse, returning for my bachelor’s degree in nursing just one year later. For over 5 years, I have been the only African American Wound Ostomy Nurse (WOC) within my healthcare system. African American WOC nurses are very rare. That has not deterred me from performing my job and performing it well. I do feel being in this role I have faced many challenges that my counterparts did not have to endure. Some may argue that is not so, but I cannot miss what is right in front of me. This is a hot topic by many of my African American Colleagues in the Nursing profession. I think it would be okay for me to say the higher the degree achieved the more opportunities should be afforded to any nurse regardless of race or ethnicity. However, for us, I would say the road is quite bumpy getting there and staying the course. I notice the actions of others and I have even been told by a co-worker of another ethnicity; that “people” were jealous that I had my Masters. I asked, “why? Nursing is a profession where advanced degrees are becoming a necessity for more roles”. When I entered the profession, I knew I wanted to keep learning and to keep achieving. That is my mindset, my parents instilled that in me as a young girl. They told me I was smart, and I could do anything I put my mind to. I can and I do. I have had to excuse myself from negative/toxic situations to gain the peace I so desired. I will not be mistreated, and I expect to be treated fairly and equally if I feel I am not it is time to move, shift, pivot. I will remove myself; it is simple as that. I am going to keep striving for the best, if you decide not to do so, that is your prerogative.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Well, you now know I am a nurse. What you may not know is that nurses “do not put all their eggs in one basket”. I also make beaded jewelry, bracelets, beaded pens, bangles, wine stoppers, and I may give the beaded watch bands a try soon. This started as a hobby while on medical leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have always loved bracelets and desired to make my own someday. Being off work and unable to purchase Christmas gifts for my family, pushed me into learning and gifting my family with some nice quality bracelets. I knew nothing about the type of beads and for the most part had purchased semi-precious and precious beads. I turned this into a business shortly after, and I work it when I have custom orders or when I need a break from everyday life (a de-stressor). I also have a nurse consulting business, Wound Care Solutions by Vanessa LLC. I offer legal nurse consulting services to personal injury or medical malpractice attorneys within the United States, “bridging the medical legal gap”. This allows me to review the medical side for the attorney providing him with the knowledge he needs for the case; allowing him/her to focus on the legalities of the case. Other services I offer are associate training and education, product streamlining, policy and protocol development, pressure injury prevention program development, and patient case review to healthcare facilities. Because of the huge need, I offer wound and ostomy care to patients via private pay or contractual agreement with organizations within the greater Memphis, TN area. This business is meant to solve costly problems secondary to wound management for healthcare facilities or organizations. Litigations in wound care have increased since the start of the pandemic and there is a heightened awareness surrounding development of wounds in a hospital or a facility. Depending on the extent of the wound, an organization could lose thousands of dollars. I help them improve or implement processes to continue to make money not lose money.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Compassion, Integrity, and Ambition!!! Those are three qualities that have been impactful on my journey. As people are leaving the profession more now than ever, I ask myself what else can I do? What else do I want to do? There is nothing else that comes to mind except teaching or practicing law (I am not going to law school at this stage in my life). I truly love interacting with the patients and family. I enjoy caring for them and getting to know them and teaching them how to manage their disease process. I see how they trust me and look to me for guidance, not just the patients and family, but the staff as well. I love being supportive to the staff and teaching new nurses. Those early in this journey, I say be supportive, leave your problems at home or in the car. The patients truly need us. They need us to be patient with them and listen to them. You never know what impact you will have on a patient. When I started my journey, I decided to treat people how I would want to be treated or how I would want my grandparents or parents treated. I do not feel I could go wrong with that type of treatment. It does matter if they are “nasty” to you, kill them with kindness and see who wins.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My family has played a huge role in my success. My mom has been my right and my left hand. She is also my “biggest” cheerleader. She is supportive of my dreams and assists me in any way she can to ensure I achieve my goals. I am a first-generation college student and graduate. Both my parents graduated high school but did not go on to college. Being their first child to complete college was a very proud moment for them. My brother and my sister encourage me, and they make sure I do not give up. The days get tough as a full-time nurse and entrepreneur. Those two will listen to me, but they tell me the truth and there is no sugar coating it. You know, “tough love”. Whenever I hit a bump in the road either one of them help me to get past it. I cannot exclude my dad. He knew my potential at a very young age, and he pushed me so that I could exceed that. If I wanted to settle for a “C” he required, an A. My son and my fur baby are by my side when the going gets tough. As a nursing professional, I have a dynamic support system filled with professional, educated ladies who are part of my support system also.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wcsbyvanessa.com
- Instagram: @woundcaresolutionsbyvanessallc
- Facebook: facebook.com/woundcaresolutionsbynurseV
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wound-care-solutions-by-vanessa/
- Youtube: @WOCiNgwithNurseVee
- Other: Tik Tok: @wocnurse_v
Image Credits
Alex Tate with Images by Alex
