Hailing from London, Julie Frazier has been a nurse for 32 years. She came to the U.S. and worked in home care in various capacities, from living HHA to Director of nursing, before finding her niche in Hospice, from which she plans to retire if she doesn’t win the Powerball before.
Favorite Quote: This too shall pass.
Fun Fact: My accent got me my current job!
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? Reverting from metric to imperial measurements, learning a whole new set of trade names for medication, I had to devise lots of homemade cheat sheets. I am trying not to spend the whole day getting lost between clients. Google maps are my friend!
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? Being prayed for by one of my patients. There is this tiny woman that barely remembers how to speak English and declining daily, praying for me. It reminded me of the bigger picture. We are here to help each other the best way we can.
How is the healthcare industry important to you personally? It’s where I learned who I was, what my calling in life was. It’s my chance to be part of something bigger than myself and keep me grateful and grounded. It’s an opportunity to brighten someone’s day or make a dark day bearable.
How did the pandemic disrupt your specific role in the healthcare industry, and how did you adapt? It added tasks to my already laden basket, and it caused stress to already anxious patients and staff. It caused me to have to work in uncomfortable safety wear. I adapted how I always do; took a deep breath and asked, what do you need me to do?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Nursing is a 24-hour job, and you can’t do it all by yourself.
What do you love most about working in healthcare? I get to use all my skills and experience. I never know what the day is going to bring. No two days are ever the same. Every day I get to face a challenge and overcome it. What better way to enhance self-esteem?
