May is National Oncology Nursing Month, and to honor the incredible dedication, skill, and compassion our nurses bring to each Navvisa patient and their loved ones every day, we wish to take this month to shine a spotlight on each individual and their remarkable talents.
MEET EMILY POZARSKI
Emily Pozarski, BSN has spent the past 10 years working as a nurse – 6 of which have been spent as an oncology nurse navigator. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Minnesota State University and went on to also earn her Oncology Nursing (OCN) and Chemotherapy Biotherapy certification.
What aspect of oncology nursing does Emily find most interesting?
Breast Cancer has always held special interest for Emily. She enjoys working with family caregivers to support them as they care for their loved one.
One of Emily’s favorite patient memories was when she had the pleasure of caring for a patient who had chemotherapy monthly at the outpatient cancer center where Emily worked. Each chemotherapy treatment day had a fun theme. The patient and her entourage of friends and family would elaborately decorate her treatment room, set up a game or fun activity for the staff to do, and set out treats for whomever entered her room.
“I can remember playing a hole of mini golf in my patient’s treatment room one day. She never let her cancer bring her down, she made it a party – for everyone around her!”
What draws Emily to oncology nursing?
Emily chose to become a nurse to help people and make a difference in their lives. She chose to be an oncology nurse after her father was diagnosed with cancer while she was in nursing school. She and her dad met some of the most amazing nurses during his first hospital stay. They were feeling anxious, uncertain and scared facing this new diagnosis, and her father’s nurses were so caring, kind, knowledgeable and compassionate. They made such an impact on Emily and her father and it was after that hospital stay Emily knew she wanted to provide light to oncology patients and their families the way these nurses did for her own family.
And what is a “fun fact” many people might not know about Emily?
Emily has a golden retriever named Walter and she loves to garden. She has attempted to snowboard and also enjoys walking to the ocean for sunsets as often as she can.
