Insight

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular access specialists, Shauna from Indiana.

Shauna knew early on that her life was going to be dedicated to serving and caring for others. She remembers a family trip to Tennessee where a young person fell down a cliff face. Without hesitation, Shauna swung into action, helping him immediately and getting him to medical care. Things just ”clicked” for her like that, and she’s been swinging into duty ever since, becoming first an RN and then a vascular access specialist in her years in the field.

Some of her most rewarding experiences came when she was working at a children’s hospital earlier in her career. In addition to the additional level of compassion required to work with young patients, pediatrics is an entirely unique challenge that tests skills constantly. Shauna mentioned that working with pediatric anesthesiologists was her first serious exposure to vascular access services, and set her on the road she is now. Seeing firsthand how important a timely and well placed line can be for treatment, and how appreciative patients were when the service could be provided with little discomfort, was a game changer.

When she isn’t working, Shauna spends her time helping run a woman’s health and wellness group, fostering positive connection to fitness and encouraging others to live healthier lives. She also loves to cook, and enjoys spending family time with her husband and daughter, their 2 nephews, and their 14-year-old cat named Trip. She’d love to go to culinary school later in life and maybe be a chef, but for now, vascular access is her passion and her outlet to giving compassionate and attentive care to the patients that need her most.

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is caregivers like Shauna that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting her patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated clinican. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular specialist nurses, Shanley from Massachusetts.

Shanley has been a nurse for over 14 years, originally starting in the field to help others. With her concern and compassion for patient care, she quickly became a favorite of her patients, and also with her coworkers. In addition to her nursing career, Shanley also considers herself an educator, helping teach others about the vascular field and promoting vascular access skill development.

When she isn’t with her patients, Shanley spends time with her family, and loves to go traveling, specifically to her favorite hiking and skiing destination. She also has 4 pets, one dog named Rose, and three lovely cats named Blue, Zeus and Wookie. When she’s at home, she loves to garden and create a beautiful environment for birds and bees in her back yard.

As far as advice to her 16-year-old self, Shanley doesn’t have much to complain about. “I am extremely happy with my life, so I would simply tell her be true to yourself.”

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Shanley that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting her patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular specialist nurses, Heidi from Florida.

Heidi knew form an early age that nursing was her calling. She has always been passionate about delivering high quality and compassionate care to her patients, and for 16 and a half years has been working with patients every day. Serving others in their greatest moment of need is something that Heidi takes a great deal of pride in, and she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

When Heidi isn’t working, she spends time traveling, visiting the beach or bicycling, anything to stay outdoors and soak up some sun and beautiful Florida weather. Her two traveling companions are also her best friends, two amazing rescue dogs who love to be outside even more than she does! Forever a free spirit, Heidi even went skydiving for her 50th birthday.

To her younger self, Heidi’s advice is as direct and straightforward as she is. “Always follow your dreams and never settle for anything less.” She gets to live out those dreams every day, and takes great pride in helping other people realize theirs through her dedication and compassion.

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Heidi that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting  her patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular specialist nurses, Liz from Florida.

A lifelong nurse and passionate healthcare worker, Liz knew early on she wanted to help people from a very young age. She worked at a local nursing home in high school, and saw first-hand the impact that nurses could have on the mood and quality of life for their patients. She was a CNA by 16, and became an RN not long after. She’s worked in emergency departments, critical care and long term facilities, always focused on providing the best quality of care she can.

Liz found Vascular access over a decade, and fell in love with the specialty as a way to keep providing high quality of care, but also as a way to further her passion for science and medicine. She is an active member of AVA and AACN, and board certified in vascular access.


Her most rewarding career moment is not a moment at all, but the continual experience she has of the appreciation and gratitude of her patients and their families. She has been taught, humbled, inspired and influenced by the people and the profession that puts her life into perspective every day.

When she’s not working bedside, Liz spends her time enjoying her second love, the mountains and the beautiful outdoors! She feels blessed to be surrounded by abundant natural beauty, and wishes that more people took the time to step into it to appreciate this awesome planet we live on. She hikes in the wilderness every chance she gets, including weeks long survival hikes, and is also a passionate astrophotographer. Nature provides a focus and a unique perspective that we cannot find anywhere else. As Liz puts it “It is empowering and humbling in a way that will change who you are as a human being. We are much stronger than we think we are and can accomplish the most impossible of dreams!”

Her advice to 16-year-old Liz? “Explore as much of the world as physically possible while you are young and agile. Spend your money on creating lifelong memories, not ‘things’. Do everything in your power to be healthy, for without your health you have absolutely nothing.”

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Liz that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting his patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular specialist nurses, Sherry, from Canton, Ohio.

A nurse for 7 years, Sherry came from a veterinary background first. As a vet technician for almost 15 years, she became a vascular and IV specialist in animals. After years of drawing blood form birds, monkeys and some not so friendly dogs, she decided it was time to make the transition to non-furry creatures, and went back to school to be an RN.

Sherry is one of those people who routinely goes above and beyond her role as a nurse, to provide care and support for the humans she treats, not just the patients. One of her proudest moments was helping a Jane Doe overcome her addictions and medical issues, and after years of treatment and relapse, to put her life back together brick by brick. Six years later her patient (now friend) is completely sober, a mother, and an advocate for others in her situation. Those moments are the kind that true caregivers live for, and Sherry is one of the best caregivers on our entire team for that reason.

When she’s not saving lives, Sherry is a Harley fan, or enjoys hanging out with her daughter and five dogs: Dawson, Murdoch, Charli, Wallace and Dani. All are rescued American pit bulls, another cause that Sherry is passionate about, and balls of energy and love that make all the difference to her and her family. Rescuing misunderstood souls in need of care and compassion is one of Sherry’s hallmarks, along with her dedication and passion for causes she believes in.

From the Pro Football Hall of Fame queen to animals and people and all manner of patients in between, Sherry has been a dedicated, supportive and tireless force for her patients. Her coworkers adore her, and the clients she works with rave about her dedication, professionalism and a kindness that extends far beyond the patient’s bedside.

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Sherry that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting her patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of the healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to our patients across the country. Today, we’re recognizing one of our vascular specialist nurses, Rob, from Galien, Michigan.

Rob has been a nurse for over 16 years, and spent time in oncology before going into vascular access services. He came to nursing originally because he loves the science of the human body, and the ability to apply his knowledge in practical ways that help patients every day. Taking care of people has always been high on his priority list, and being able to combine his love of science and love of people made nursing the perfect career choice.

Rob’s most rewarding time was in oncology, helping patients and their families navigate all that goes into that diagnosis. The big C tends to bring with it a lot of fear and a huge emotional burden to patients, and being able to help not only with medical advice, but to also provide comfort and direction, and see how well most people did after undergoing treatment made all the difference.

When he’s not helping at a patient’s bedside, Rob is a man of the outdoors. An avid fisherman and hunter, Rob loves spending time with his family and their collection of wildlife: any number of chickens, adopted stray cats, and their faithful Chesapeake Bay Retriever. When it comes to living life, Rob’s philosophy is simple: Love people, enjoy your life, and don’t rush through it without taking the time to be engaged in it.

One thing most people don’t know about Rob is that he’s also a talented artist, and his pottery pieces and drawings have been on display in galleries throughout Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana. A true Renaissance man, Rob’s passion for life and dedication for living are mirrored in his nursing career, and his never ending desire to provide comfort and care to those most in need.

As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Rob that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting his patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!

AccessRN is taking the opportunity to recognize some of our healthcare heroes who have made all the difference this year in providing the highest quality care to the patients we serve. Today, we’re recognizing Todd, one of our vascular specialist nurses.

Todd has been a nurse for over 24 years. He chose, to go into healthcare after his own battle as a young person with multiple surgeries and recoveries. Inspired by the dedication and compassion of his providers, Todd chose to do the same for others and embraced his role as a nurse, and now, as a vascular specialist and part of the AccessRN team.

Todd lists relationships as the most rewarding part of his job, both with patients, providers, and coworkers who provide critical amazing care to their populations. Nursing is not always a glamorous job, and Todd has been fortunate to work in the trenches with some great people who show the same level of dedication, concern and desire to help that inspired him in the first place.

No matter how challenging the day may be, Todd knows that the smile from a relieved patient and the thanks from the team he’s working with are the best rewards possible. When he isn’t hard at work, he likes to unwind with his wife and children, or by riding around on his hot rod. They have three pets, Carl the chocolate lab, Chester the Chihuahua, and Cowboy the cat, all of who bring endless joy to the family, and help melt the stress of the day away.



As the healthcare industry weathers the storm this past year, it is providers and caregivers like Todd that make all the difference. A true healthcare hero who never stops putting his patients first, we’re so fortunate to work with such an incredible person and a dedicated provider. Thank you for all that you do!