New Jersey Nursing Insights
The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN)—the nursing workforce center for NJ—presents the New Jersey Nursing Insights Podcast. Now hosted by Drs. Susan Weaver and Daria Waszak, the program features conversations with nurses from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, each discussing the nature of their profession. Nursing Insights was originally hosted by Stephanie Olaso, MHCI, BSN, RN, who led the program through its first 30 episodes.
New Jersey Nursing Insights
38 | Neuroscience Nursing – More Than Medicine with Patty Anthony
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Neuroscience nursing is often associated with critical care, brain injuries, strokes, and complex medical procedures. But as Patty Anthony explains in this episode, the specialty is about much more.
Patty has spent more than 30 years at JFK University Medical Center's Neuroscience Institute, caring for patients with brain tumors, strokes, neurological disorders, and spinal cord injuries. During that time, she has witnessed remarkable advances in neuroscience care while never losing sight of what matters most – the human connection between nurses, patients, and families.
In this conversation, Patty shares how a student nurse inspired her to pursue nursing, how a neurosurgeon sparked her passion for neuroscience, and why some patient stories have stayed with her for decades. She also reflects on building neuroscience programs in a community hospital, founding a brain tumor support group, mentoring future nurses, and the importance of listening, compassion, and advocacy.
Whether you're a nursing student exploring specialties, an experienced nurse, or simply interested in the impact nurses have on people's lives, this episode offers a powerful reminder that great nursing is about far more than clinical skills.
Key Takeaways
- What neuroscience nursing actually involves and why it spans the entire continuum of care
- How neurological illnesses affect both patients and their families
- The role of neuroscience nurses in acute care, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings
- Why compassion and listening are just as important as clinical expertise
- The importance of mentorship in building a nursing career
- How neuroscience care has evolved over the past three decades
- The impact of support groups for patients living with brain tumors
- Why lifelong learning is essential in neuroscience nursing
- Patty's advice for nurses considering a career in neuroscience
- The patient stories that shaped Patty's approach to nursing
Relevant Links
- New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN): https://www.njccn.org
- Hackensack Meridian Health: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org
- JFK University Medical Center Neuroscience Institute: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/locations/jfk-university-medical-center
- American Association of Neuroscience Nursing: https://aann.org/
