Megan is wearing the Easy Stretch Raglan Top and Drawstring Pant in Jazzberry!

We’re so excited to introduce our August Scrub Superstar, Megan! She currently resides in Huntington Beach, California and works as an oncology RN! Read more about our newest UA Scrub Superstar and make sure to shop her look with our newest Easy Stretch by Butter-Soft collection!

What is your current position?

My name is Megan. I work as a medical oncology nurse in a smaller hospital in Orange County. I work 12-hour shifts, 3 days a week and have the other days off.

When I’m not working, I love taking my dogs to the beach and hanging out with my mom and sisters. I grew up Southern California and went to school in San Diego and now I live in Huntington Beach.

Why did you choose this particular career?

I always say oncology, which is the cancer part of nursing, actually chose me. When I decided that I was going to be a nurse it was because I loved the medical side of it, how the body works and I just went for it. Then, I got accepted into my nursing program and went through my rotations and that is when I figured out what field of nursing I wanted to go into. I loved the trauma, critical care aspect, basically, everything just appealed to me. But one of my rotations was a pediatric oncology nursing rotation. That is when I realized I loved the oncology field of nursing. I knew early on I didn’t want to do pediatric because there is a lot of extra aspects of that field like the family and parents.
So, I went into an adult oncology position, I applied at my current hospital and got the job. Everything just lined up, it’ll be one year in September at my hospital. I’ve made amazing connections with my patients and coworkers. I’ve lost some patients but I also still get to see some patients that I started with. I love getting to know my patients and who they are outside of the hospital.

What advice would you give someone pursuing this career path?

My biggest advice is to take advantage of whatever is thrown at you. Say yes. It is okay to say, ‘I’ve never done it before, but I will watch and try.’ I always tell my students who shadow me to take advantage of the opportunity you have at that moment. Because at one point in your career as a nurse, you’re going to have to face things you have never done before and need to ask other people for help.

For students who are thinking about going into the medical field and haven’t committed to a school yet. Go to hospitals and volunteer, it is a great way for you to get to know how a hospital works and the atmosphere.
For oncology, my advice (and what my manager told me) is to set yourself aside and deal with death. Don’t be afraid to talk about dying and what you think about going on hospice care. Discuss what your thoughts and feelings are about death.

What do you love about your career?

What I love most about my career is getting to know the people and my patients. Being able to magically find time in your day to sit down and talk to your patients about their day, their hobbies, and who they are. Sometimes we do get patients that are going to pass, who are heavily sedated and at that point, I enjoy getting to know their families and what they loved most about the person, what the patient used to like doing and activities that made them smile.

I truly enjoy getting to know the people and incorporate that into caring for them. When I find out their favorite flower, something interesting on the news, a good book to read and talk about that with them. I love connecting with my patients on a different level and remembering the little things like how they like ice in their apple juice.

What is one of your favorite on-the-job memories?

The biggest story that sticks with me is kind of sad. I was going through a rough time in my personal life and I had a young patient come in with a poor cancer prognosis and she was really scared for one of the procedures she had to undergo. I sat and walked her through it and because I had a few days off I never saw her leave to go back home. When I came back to work the next week, a nurse asked me to hang an antibiotic for one of her patients and I went in to help and it was the same girl.

She was so excited to see me and even remembered my name and so did her family. I had only cared for her for two days but it was great to be remembered. She was on our floor for a week and I went in every day to say ‘hi,’ and ‘good morning,’ and every afternoon to say ‘bye,’ and chat for a while before I went home.

I was working on her final day that she was going home to receive hospice care. Her sister asked me for my number because she wanted me to come help fundraise so her sister could receive more chemo because it is so expensive.

It was maybe a week later and her sister called me and told me she passed. She told me even though I was her nurse, that I was still there and took such good care of her sister. She said she loved me and that she was so happy I could meet her son. Even though this isn’t a cheerful and story of happiness. It sticks with me because it helps me remember, even if it is little things or ways, someone, somewhere is thankful for me and the care that I gave to them. I have a picture of myself and my patient in this story in my room hanging. It pushes me on my worst days to put a smile on and be kind and patient.

What are some of your favorite activities outside of work?

I am kind of a total nerd and love reading romance novels. Like the cheesy ones that introduce the two characters in the first two pages who you know are going to end up together in the end. I read all of those! I love getting lost in the stupidity of the super cheesy romance novels.

I also love planners and playing in planners. I get all the stickers and started memory planning which is snapping a picture a day and putting it in my planner. It is like the new scrap booking. I love it! So, that is usually what I am doing – playing with all that stuff, decorating, sticking down memories and looking back on photos.

Finally, what feature is the most important to you while choosing your scrubs?

When I am picking out my scrubs. I don’t care what the top is like. The side cargo pockets in the pants is where it is at. Bottom pockets are life. I put everything in there. The UA Exclusive scrubs have the best pant pockets. I don’t understand why some companies don’t include those. That is all I look for when I shop. No such thing as too many pockets.

Follow Our Scrub Superstar on Instagram: @Mightynursemegan