How I became a nurse
I started as a nurse’s aide and went on to become a nurse. My first nursing job was in an office run by a married couple we all called Dr. S and Dr. N. He was an internist and she was a cardiologist. As their only nurse, I helped with everything from blood tests and X-rays to heart monitoring and stress tests. The pay was low, but the experience was priceless. I’m still grateful for it.
From there I worked at a small hospital, became an assistant director of nursing caring for older adults, and moved into home health. That’s where I first had to use CPR outside a classroom.
The day our CPR training mattered
I was new to home health and shadowing another nurse named Caroline. We were sitting at the kitchen table with an older married couple I’ll call Mr. and Mrs. X. Mr. X had just stepped into another room when his wife suddenly stopped breathing and fell forward. One moment we were talking. The next, Caroline and I asked him to call 911 and began CPR.
I still remember Caroline in her dress and bright red lipstick. She gave rescue breaths and I did chest compressions. We worked together for about 15 minutes. As the emergency responders arrived, Mrs. X began breathing on her own and opened her eyes.
Mrs. X made a full recovery and lived for many more years. I was proud of how calmly Mr. X called 911 on their rotary phone. As he climbed into the ambulance to sit beside his wife, our eyes met for a moment. I could see tears of gratitude in his eyes. That’s a moment I’ll always remember.
Why I teach CPR today
My career took me back to hospital care, through home health, travel nursing, and agency work, and eventually into postpartum nursing. I started my career working for a cardiologist. Now, as a certified American Heart Association instructor, I feel like I’ve come full circle.
I’ve also lost loved ones to sudden cardiac arrest when no one nearby knew how to help while emergency responders were on their way. Those losses and my experience with Mrs. X are why I teach. I want more people to have the chance to practice these skills before they’re the person someone is counting on.
— Jenny Ashley
