Nurses Week Spotlight: Melanie Palma

Meet Melanie Palma, APRN-CNP

Question: Why did you become a nurse?

A: “When I was about 10 years old, my bother lacerated the skin off his kneecap while running home in the rain. We had a gravel driveway with a metal trench at the end to allow for water to pass and not flood the yard. He slipped and gashed his knee on that darn trench. I was following him home and saw it all happen. I was able to scoop him up, take him into the house and sat there picking rocks out of his knee while consoling him. I feel like that was when I know that I had a calling for healthcare.”

Q: What is your favorite part of being a nurse?

A: “My favorite part of being a nurse is the ability to listen and learn. Most of the time, patients are scared and vulnerable. By giving them the audience to tell me anything and everything, they feel heard. Listening builds trust. Trust is what patients have in you already, but it is easy to lose.”

Q: What advice would you give an aspiring nurse?

A: “My advice to an aspiring nurse would be don’t give up. Find a school that works with your needs. It may be hard to get into the program at first but, be persistent. Ask even the smallest question in school and learn as much as you can. School is hard but, it should be. You are learning a foreign language and that takes time. When you get out there and get that first job, being scared is normal. It took me about 6months to a year to build my confidence and know that I could handle most situations. As you work, actually understanding orders/tests/results/options is going to best suit you to advocate for your patients. Don’t be afraid if you continue to have questions. It’s enlightening that you want to understand and that shows growth. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctors questions..even if you think they are scary! Doctors are humans as well, and your questions may help them understand other possible options or background situation of the patients. Lastly, sit with your patients and talk to them in language they understand. Also, get to know your patients and their families for more than the reason they are in the hospital. When you give patients more than the few minutes to assess or pass meds, they really will open up to you and feel they are being listened to and herd. You will also be the best nurse in the world in their eyes!

When you are ready for more challenge, go back to school like I did! Being a nurse practitioner has been the highlight of my life. I can truly say that I am being what I want to be when I grow up! I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each and every patient and caring for them. I am grateful that they trust me and continue to come see me for several years. I laugh, cry and grieve with each and every one of them. Being able to help manage their health is an honor that I truly cherish.”

Q: What keeps you motivated during tough shifts?

A: “Not every day will be rainbows and butterflies. You will have the days where you can’t seem to make anyone happy. You will have days where you will lose that close patient to you, and that really hurts. You will have days where you are at work and your kid was up the night before puking or sick and you still made it to work exhausted. At the end of the day, my motivation is to remember the change that I have made.”

Q: What has been your best experience at the Hosptial that made you enjoy nursing more?

A: “Being a nurse practitioner, Liberty Hospital has been wonderful at creating a community for all advanced practice providers and not just NP’s. We are all included in a quarterly provider meeting for APP’s. This meeting provides great updates and a sounding board for ways we as APP’s can make change. It allows opportunity to collaborate with other APP’s within the hospital and outpatient.”

Published on May 5, 2025

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