After a valiant fight, he lost his battle at age 18, leaving an enormous impact on her hometown community. As a pediatric oncology nurse now, Charlotte supports patients and their families through an incredibly difficult time with compassion and care. “I knew I was a good fit for these patients and their families because I have a huge heart that can care for these kids, and I’m able to build rapport easily, which is so important in this field,” she says. “I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of their journey and to fight with them through treatment.” Charlotte’s patients often come to think of the hospital, specifically her unit, as home. And while no person, especially no child, should ever have to experience cancer or long-term hospital stays, Charlotte’s incredibly resilient patients find ways to make it all feel “normal.” Two patients playing a game together, laughter spilling into the hallway, a small group of kids gathered around an art project — these simple moments bring light and a sense of normalcy to a time that’s anything but. “These are just small glimpses of a normal childhood in our unit’s hallways, and for that moment, these kids get to be regular kids,” Charlotte says. “It melts my heart every time.” Of course, nothing is more joyful than the days when patients are declared cancer-free, and the entire unit comes together to celebrate in epic
proportions.
“When we have end-of-treatment parties and our patients get to ring the bell and go home because they’ve beaten cancer…there’s truly nothing better. It’s everything we work toward.” On the harder days, and there are plenty of them, Charlotte leans on the people who truly get it: other nurses. During her drives home, she often calls her nurse mom and best friend to talk through her day. She also counts on her coworkers, many of whom have become some of her closest friends. This tight-knit group never turns down an after-shift dinner, where nonstop laughter is practically guaranteed. And when she needs to unwind on her own, Charlotte turns to movement, specifically Pilates, to help her destress and reset. Just graduated? Looking to pivot? Feeling uncertain about your next steps? Take it from this Alpha Phi, who shares, “Take a deep breath and dive in. Nothing is permanent, and if you go down a career path you don’t love or take a job that doesn’t excite you, you can always change it. You have the power to determine what your life and career will look like, and the sooner you recognize how in control you are, the stronger you’ll be."
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