ANNA Member Spotlight
Welcome to ANNA's monthly member spotlight. ANNA is a vibrant organization because of nurses like you! Your diverse experiences and unique perspectives make us a collective whole that is a masterpiece. We are proud of the work each of you do!
If you would like to be featured, participate in our online community, ANNA Connected. Members are featured in the Member Spotlight based on their engagement in ANNA Connected, so start connecting, talking, and getting to know other ANNA members via ANNA Connected.
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Lori Gerick, BSN, RNAcute Care Dialysis Nurse |
How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse since 2017. I started out as a certified clinical hemodialysis technician (CCHT) in 2008 in chronic dialysis and thoroughly enjoyed what I was doing. I decided to go to nursing school and become a nephrology nurse full time. I was a single mother, and it took me 8 years to complete my degree. I initially went part time; then, when I started my nursing program and my kids were older, I was able to go full time. I was working PRN as a CCHT at a Level 1 trauma center hospital in Jacksonville, FL. When I graduated, I was hired into the inpatient acute dialysis unit at the same hospital through the New Nurse Fellowship program.
How long have you been in nephrology ?
I have been a nephrology nurse for 5 years.
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
What I find unique about nephrology nursing, especially in the acute setting, is all the opportunities to learn something new. We do bedside dialysis in SICU, MICU, CCU, and CVICU. Every patient has a different diagnosis, and we must keep that in mind when we are performing dialysis. So much relates back to the renal system. As nephrology nurses, we have an amazing opportunity to learn from the primary RN taking care of these critically ill patients, about the disease process or the trauma response, and incorporate the new information into our knowledge bank. We are then able to use this new information and integrate it into the care and treatment plan while at the bedside with our nephrology patients.
What do you value most about your ANNA membership?
Networking and the chance for education. I love the monthly free contact hours, the availability of recordings from the National Symposia and the fall Nephrology Nursing Practice, Management & Leadership Conferences. After becoming a nephrology nurse, I went to the 2019 ANNA National Symposium in Dallas, TX, and was able to bring back a lot of information and product samples to my unit. I was overwhelmed to be able to meet and network with so many experienced nephrology nurses. Everyone was so positive, encouraging, and willing to share!
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology nursing?
Nephrology nursing can be incredibly challenging, but extremely rewarding. No two days are the same. You will constantly grow your knowledge bank and always have variety in your day. I recently had the chance to learn CRRT on my last assignment. What an amazing opportunity to expand my knowledge bank! Nephrology nursing is a specialty that allows you to expand and grow your career.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse?
When not working, I enjoy taking mini trips to local areas – anywhere from 3-6 hours away. I will go with my best friend from work. We will go to the mountains or to the beach for little getaways. I enjoy doing small home improvement projects and am working up the courage to break down a wall and do a kitchen remodel. I love learning about the history of the local areas I am visiting and going to museums. I am a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and love to practice yoga in my spare time. Namaste.