Stephanie Barea shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me depends on many factors. Right now, I am working as a per diem RN in a pediatric infusion unit, so my work schedule varies. On a day I work, I wake up around 7:30 am, make my coffee, eat a little something, get dressed, put on makeup, and try to get out the door by 8:30 am. Once I finally get to work, I clock in by around 9:30 am. Once I get situated at a computer at the nurses’ station, I wait for my supervisor to assign me my first patient. Days in the infusion unit can either be very chaotic or very easy-going depending on how many patients are scheduled for that day and how many unscheduled patients are sent to the unit at the last minute from their doctor. Once I discharge my last patient, I am free to go home! Some days I get lucky and finish by 3 pm and other days I have patients receiving long infusions and I finish at 7 pm on the dot. Most days, though, I get home around 5 or 6 pm (traffic is awful). After I shower, I eat dinner and just relax for the rest of the night. When I don’t have to work, I sleep in and have very slow mornings. I eventually put on my gym clothes and head to a local county park where I either go for a long walk or rollerblade. On weekends, I like to hang out with my friends and either go to dinner, someone’s house, or a chill bar.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been a pediatric RN in south Florida for 6 years. For nearly 5 years, I worked in the IMCU, or intermediate care unit, and now I work at another hospital in their infusion unit. I have always been passionate about pediatric oncology, so in 2020, I became a certified pediatric chemotherapy and biotherapy provider. In the infusion unit, I see patients with a range of diseases requiring specific therapies. I see patients with diseases like leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, sickle cell disease, lupus, and anemia. I love my current job, so I pick up extra shifts whenever I can! There’s just something about working with these children that make me genuinely enjoy what I do, even after hard days. Of course, there are sad moments, but there are so much more rewarding ones. My patients are resilient, and they are fighters. Realizing what these kids go through on a daily basis really makes you reevaluate your life and be grateful for what you’ve been given. I am in the process of furthering my career to become a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner so that I can continue to work in a hospital setting with the vulnerable pediatric population as a provider.
Aside from work-related things, I love to exercise outdoors, travel, and try new restaurants or bars in south Florida. If I had the means to travel for the rest of my life, I would! My favorite music genre is EDM. I love going to music festivals or seeing my favorite DJs at events. I have a younger sister who is also an oncology nurse, but for adults. We adopted two kittens last year and have fully become cat ladies. I do want to find my soulmate, get married, and start a family some day!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed I had to be everyone’s cup of tea as a child and teenager. I was bullied A LOT growing up and I let people’s words about my appearance really affect me. Now as a 32-year-old woman, I almost laugh at how ridiculous it was that insults back then were not made towards your character, but towards your weight, clothes, acne, etc. as if any of those things really matter. Words that once made me cry are now meaningless to me. As a young woman, I no longer believe that I am “hairier than a gorilla” or that I “have more rolls than a bakery.” I grew to love who I am as I am the perfect combination of my mother and father.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say, “You are allowed to make mistakes and be imperfect; your parents’ love is not conditional. Don’t abandon yourself trying to please others for the sake of feeling wanted. You are allowed to make your own decisions about your life and your future. You are so loveable.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to finishing my nurse practitioner program and becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. It has been a difficult journey filled with so many obstacles and challenges, but I am more than determined to accomplish that goal. I had to take some time off because I was struggling in my personal life. At first, it bothered me that I would not graduate when I was “supposed” to, but then I just came to realize that this is MY life and that I know what’s best for me. The timeline I was imposing on myself simply does not exist.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
For years, I have dreamed of living in New York City. I promised myself I would step out of my comfort zone and live there for at least a year. I would feel like I let myself down and deeply regret not following through on my dream. I would also regret not traveling to Europe!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/stephoscope__ (these are two underscores)
