Tori Wake
RN, BSN
Emergency Department, St. Vincent
Portland, OR
Tori Wake, RN, BSN, graduated from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing only a short time ago in 2020. However, in the time since, she’s already using her education to make a big difference—including saving a life by trusting her gut.
The patient Tori saved had been seen by a doctor who thought, with their story, anxiety was the reason for the symptoms that brought the patient in. The doctor then decided on a discharge medication and plan. Tori reflected on the incident and said she had felt something deeper was going on. “In the Emergency Department, it is our job to rule out the biggest, baddest and scariest thing first and foremost. After asking the patient a few more questions about his symptoms, duration and what he considered to be his baseline, I decided taking a look at the 5 lead heart monitor would be a good idea,” Tori explained. “Immediately I noticed several irregularities in the patient's rhythm. I called the MD and we agreed an official 12 lead EKG and further workup was necessary. As soon as the MD read the official EKG report, she immediately found me and thanked me, telling me I might have just saved this man's life.” The experience affirmed in Tori that she was up for the demanding job of being a registered nurse. “This moment was validating for me as well as perplexing. At this moment, I was incredibly thankful for the preparation I received from St. Elizabeth. I was also grateful the doctor was willing to hear me and investigate for herself for the patient's good!”
Tori is living up to the school’s mission of “Continuing Christ’s Healing Ministry” and St. Elizabeth School of Nursing couldn’t be prouder to see her succeeding and helping to save lives. She’s continuing her education by obtaining a CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and plans to pursue an advanced degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in the future.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A NURSE?
I became a nurse for many reasons. I love learning and I deeply desire to comfort and care for people even in their worst times. Nursing has provided me already with endless opportunities to further my education, continue learning and be a light during some dark days in medicine. My grandma, Rose, was an ER nurse for 30 plus years. I always admired her and the strength she possessed in her nursing career.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY FROM NURSING SCHOOL?
My best memories from nursing school correlate directly to the friends I gained - both from classmates and professors. I'll never forget falling asleep in the study rooms and ordering pizza and coffee with friends in an attempt to keep studying for finals!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW NURSES?
If I had one piece of advice for future nurses, it would be to always ask "WHY?" I'll never forget Dr. Blissitt's clinicals and her notoriously asking us, "Why that medication? Why that treatment? Why are you preparing to do that?" I am so thankful to hear that frequent "why" in my own head. Asking myself "why" constantly has helped prevent many mistakes as well as notice details I may have otherwise overlooked.
HOW DID ST. ELIZABETH SCHOOL OF NURSING PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?
The personal attention and care from professors and clinical hours I received at St. Elizabeth prepared me far above what I could've expected. Graduating in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, new nurses were forced to sink or swim. I strongly believe that the hundreds of clinical hours I received gave me the confidence and experience to thrive.
IF YOU WEREN'T A NUSRE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
If I weren't a nurse, I think I would be an interior designer or party planner.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN THE FIELD AFTER YOU COMPLETED YOUR DEGREE?
My first job after graduation was working in a skilled nursing facility in Portland, OR. This was a tough call. I was often asked to take on 15-25 patients at a time. After two months at this job I was asked to step into their charge nurse role. This job required a lot of me but also helped me practice the skills of time management and delegation I had previously learned. In many ways this job prepared me and set me up for success in the Emergency Department.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
I now work at St. Vincent's Emergency Department in Oregon where I've been for the last eight months.
WHAT DO LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CURRENT JOB?
In my current job, I could not be more thankful for the staff. It feels like family. I have never worked with a better group of ED techs, RNs, charge nurses, nurse practitioners and doctors. Each person I have encountered truly has the mindset of working as a team for the patient's betterment. In our department there is an openness to asking questions and encouraging everyone to keep learning to be better at what we do!
WHAT IS THE TOUGHEST PART ABOUT BEING A NURSE?
The toughest part about being a nurse is remembering that despite our best efforts, our greatest medications, our best doctors - we still lose some patients.
HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR NURSING PRACTICE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE SCHOOL'S MISSION OF PREPARING NURSES TO CONTINUE CHRIST'S HEALING MINISTRY?
I was very thankful for St. Elizabeth's faith background to view health care through. The main takeaway I remember and practice is that patient care is most effective when we treat holistically: mind, body and spirit. I work to practice this in the attitude and words I use when caring for patients.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT WORK?
When I am not at work, I love hiking and camping with my husband, playing with our Pomsky puppy or spending time with family. I am hopeful to get back to traveling in the coming months as more people are getting vaccinated!
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I couldn't be more grateful for the education and encouragement I received from St. Elizabeth. Graduating from this program felt like a feat with all the clinical hours, homework, group projects, lectures, discussion boards and more! However, I don't believe there is another program that would've prepared me the way they did to enter my nursing career in the middle of a pandemic and still love what I do. Special thanks to Dr. Blissitt and Professor Lunsford for letting me frequently visit their offices during school to review topics!