When I was a child my grandmother had Multiple Sclerosis and she was debilitated by illness, using a wheelchair. I used to go to Braintree to visit with my mother and to help care of her. I used to see a physical therapist working with her and I got to see what he did. I started to think that maybe I'd like to do that. I was good at taking care of my grandmother, so my mother said, "Why don't you become a nurse?" She was a nurse as well, so I decided to become a nurse.
I started volunteering at Rhode Island Hospital where my mother worked. I was a Candy Striper. Then I went to the University of Rhode Island and majored in Nursing. I partied for a couple of years, but Nursing was very demanding, so I moved back home and worked hard to graduate because that is what I really wanted to do.
I've never considered anything else. I never thought twice about it, never second-guessed myself. I guess I was born to be a nurse. I could have been a teacher, but in a way I am a teacher. I am teaching all the time. That's part of what a nurse does. Whatever I do, I do not give up easily, and that's what I tell my students: you can do whatever you want. Whatever you do, don't give up and you'll achieve something for yourself.
Sometimes, though, it gets tough. There are two parts to becoming a nurse: classroom and clinical work. I was always good at the clinical work, but the classroom work and theory was a lot harder for me. I had to focus more on my studies my last two years in school. You can get help by forming study groups.
My parent did not have college degrees but they stressed education. One of my brothers is a lawyer, and another one is an assistant principal. My mother was always a guide for me. She would say, "Now you'll work in a hospital as a volunteer." My parents are still important to me. I live four blocks from them and they have always supported me.
I really wanted to come to Central. I was here as a student nurse and after I graduated I wanted to come back. I loved it. When I got the job, I had one goal: I wanted to develop a rapport with students, gain their trust, so that if anything serious happened—such as drug abuse, no food at home, or domestic violence—students would be able to tell me and I could help. Not all teachers are knowledgeable about what goes on with students. Building relationships means you have to remember what kids tell you. Then you get to know them and you can help them when they need you.
I told the district head nurse that I wanted to work at Central; she told me that I was crazy. People thought Central was an awful place. It is not! I love it here. I feel I have to take care of my kids. If I am not here, who will be? That's why I hate to take a day off or be sick.
I have been here for four years. Of the 1,700 students, 1,600 are good kids. They want to succeed. Students surprise me all the time. We planned to raise $1,000 for a Leukemia/Lymphoma drive and we raised more than $2,500. I started a Health Professionals' Club and we have 16 solid members and other students who drop in. We have administrators from Rhode Island Hospital visiting with us and they are very impressed. So good things are happening at Central!
I want to say to this year's graduating class, "You are great kids. Do not let anyone tell you differently. You can do whatever you want. All you need is determination. If you are going to college, you will have to work your way through, if you have no money. You will have to take out loans, but you can do it!"
Priscilla Mello>>
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