Throughout the past year, we’ve shared photos of just some of the groups of talented nursing graduates who committed to joining the exceptional team of nurses at Parkview Health. We were fortunate to speak with one such nurse-to-be, Hannah Htoo, a patient care technician at Parkview Hospital Randallia. Influenced at a young age by the unrest in her home country, Myanmar, she discusses the driving force behind her motivation to pursue a career in healthcare and what it means to be part of the Parkview family.
How did you come to work at Parkview?
During my clinicals, one of the supervisors spoke with me about joining their team. After working for a while, I fell in love with medical-surgical care and nursing.
What is your current position within the health system?
I started at Parkview Hospital Randallia in March of 2022. I currently work as a patient care technician (CPT) in the medical-surgical unit. Once I complete and pass my final nursing exams, I will transition to a nursing position.
What drew you to a career in healthcare?
At a young age, I remember having to move frequently due to the civil war in Myanmar. During that time, I remember seeing many people who were wounded both physically and mentally, but they didn’t have the resources we have now. I carried this with me as I got older and always dreamt of helping others either by becoming a missionary or returning to my country to help those in need. That was the driving force for me when choosing a career in healthcare.
What made you want to pursue nursing specifically?
I’ve always wanted to help people, like a superhero of sorts. Obviously, I don’t have powers or magical abilities like those characters in the movies, but I do believe I have the knowledge and capability to heal within me. Taking the time to listen and show patients, and their families, that I care is just one of the reasons that drew my attention.
Another factor was knowing that Parkview serves a large Burmese population. I didn’t go to school to learn Burmese but instead picked it up by accompanying my mother to street markets to help her sell food. Knowing I had this skill set, I wanted to help with the language barrier while providing quality care. Eventually, I would love to work my way to become an administrator or leader within the hospital, so I can continue advocating for all patients.
What do you like most about working at Parkview?
I enjoy being able to help patients throughout their health journey with us. I love seeing them progress and watching their health improve as they get better. It’s also nice to hear them say “thank you” and show gratitude, but it’s not why I do it.
What advice would you give others looking to start a career in nursing?
I want people to remember that this career path is more than just a uniform. If you are genuinely interested in nursing or healthcare, believe in yourself and push your way through. It will be challenging, but don’t forget your ‘why’ and the reason you chose to work in the medical field.
What does it mean to be part of the Parkview family?
For me, being part of the Parkview family means caring without judgment, loving without judgment, smiling without judgment and being kind without judgment. But mostly, it’s about giving without expectation and providing exceptional care without receiving anything in return.
Interested in joining the team?
We would love to speak with you about the many nursing opportunities available at Parkview Health. You can apply for one of our nurse openings online, text “Parkview” to 97211 to speak to a recruiter or email jobs@parkview.com.
