Aileen Alexander of Hampton said being a nurse enables her, and others in her profession, to become “unsung heroes” in the lives of patients and their families.
“We have the privilege of saving a life, and you became a part of their family,” she said.
Alexander works in the surgical oncology department at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Atlanta. She recently received the national DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, after being nominated by a patient. The accolade recognizes the contributions of direct care nurses, faculty and students worldwide.
“It’s kind of like I won the lottery,” said Alexander. “It’s a different feeling. It shows your dedication and passion toward your patients, and also your sacrifices and what you’ve been through.”
Originally from the Philippines, Alexander obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1995, from Our Lady of Fatima University. She has worked in the nursing field since 2004, including a stint as an operating-room nurse at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
Alexander credited her parents for supporting her in her chosen profession, and said nursing helps her to meet people, save lives and to help patients to heal. She is currently a medical surgery staff nurse at CTCA, where she assists patients during their treatment.
Alexander said she strives to be an encouragement to patients who are battling cancer.
“You kind of give them hope that it’s going to be OK,” she said. “Being a nurse means you need to have a caring, compassionate and serving heart. It is a job that offers flexibility and an opportunity to learn new things. I love being a nurse because I get a sense of pride and joy knowing that I accomplish something every day.”
Alexander acknowledged that working with cancer patients presents its share of challenges. One such difficulty, she said, centers on the heartache that occurs when a person’s disease is no longer operable.
“You want the best for the patient,” she said. “You want to see them in 5, 10, or 15 more years.”
Alexander has been married to her husband, Tony, for 16 years and has an eight-year-old daughter named Anna. For anyone who is considering a career in nursing, Alexander emphasized the importance of compassion in meeting the needs of patients.
“You need to be showing your empathy, because you don’t know what they’re going through until you see them or you’re with them,” she said.
Alexander appreciates the unique culture of nursing at CTCA. Many patients, she said, have come back to thank her over the years for how she helped them through the healing process. “It’s kind of like it’s not a career, it’s a profession that you can be proud of,” said Alexander. “When I applied here, everyone was friendly and smiling. In regards to patients, they forget what they’re dealing with, and they know they’re being taken care of.”
