March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the vital contributions of phenomenal women in history. This year's theme is Providing Healing and Promoting Hope. We have so many women on the Aveanna team who do just that. One of those women is Clinical Director Alexandra Berthaut, BSN, RN. Today, we are honored to share a little bit about Alexandra’s Aveanna journey, her growth, and the patients who inspired her along the way.
I first started with Aveanna right out of college. Aveanna gave me an opportunity as a field nurse, and I gratefully accepted and was able to help many complex patients and gain better skills during this time. Soon after, an open position as a nursing supervisor arose, and I was asked if I would consider this role. I was eager to accept and start learning new skills in administration and management and learn more about Aveanna and our Core Values.
While learning this role as a supervisor, I was able to continue my education online to prepare myself for my next career goal of becoming a Clinical Director. With hard work and opportunities that Aveanna provided, I was able to become the Clinical Director for our Hartford, CT, location.
I knew my age would have a profound impact on my life was when I entered my career as a young nurse. During certain moments in my career, I have often heard others comment, “How old are you?” and “Oh, you look so young!” Throughout my time as a nurse, I have used these comments to push myself even harder to show that my hard work, skills, and dedication outshine my age. Being surrounded by many veteran nurses with so much knowledge and skills can be intimidating, but I am very grateful for all the wisdom shared and taught.
Throughout my journey at Aveanna, all my patients and their families have been the inspiration I needed and continue to need in my role here. They are the reason I wake up every morning feeling grateful and loving my job. These families and patients are the strongest individuals I know. They all give me a purpose to continue to do what I do as a nurse.
While being an employee at Aveanna Healthcare, I personally have continued to work on myself every day. I have continued to grow mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically throughout my years, and I continue to learn as I go.
The biggest challenge I face when it comes to acceptance is setting high expectations for myself as an individual and professional and fearing that I let others down. I have learned it’s important to continue to accept myself and overcome these challenging feelings. It’s important that I am satisfied with my own personal core needs before others in my work and home life.
Inclusion means an individual feeling understood, heard, and accepted in every way. It’s important to me because everyone should feel accepted, included, and have equal opportunities in all aspects of their personal and professional life.
Aveanna is a wonderful company to work for. They give excellent professional opportunities for all employees equally. The current skills I have gained while working for Aveanna will only help me in my next career goal of becoming an Area Clinical Director.