“My mother would run into patients at the grocery store,” shares Lovelace Regional Hospital – Roswell Nurse Andrea Lentz, RN of an early impression her mother’s career had on her decision to become a nurse. “I saw how grateful they were. I wanted a job that meant something.”
Andrea was only 13. She wanted a fulfilling and rewarding career like her mother, Lovelace Regional Hospital – Roswell Nurse Gloria Matta, RN. That meant she needed to get ready. Andrea enrolled in more science classes than were required in high school and talked to her mother about her plans. “My mother really encouraged me,” she recalls.
Andrea says her mother also offered her advice. “She said, ‘If you think nursing is the field for you, work at a nursing home,’” adds Andrea. “’That is the toughest part of nursing,’ she told me.”
Working in the Physical Rehabilitation Department at Casa Maria Health Care Center, Andrea had her first taste of nursing from her own perspective. “I really liked it,” she exclaims.
From there, Andrea set her sights on working in a hospital environment and knew Lovelace Regional Hospital – Roswell was where she wanted to be. She was accepted into a local nursing program and began working at the hospital as a tech. “It was a tremendous difference,” she adds. “You get to see this great process. Patients come in sick with acute illnesses, they get better and then go home. It gives you hope. It shows you how much your job really matters. You’re really helping people get better.”
As a tech, Andrea rounded on patients, getting vitals three times a day, delivering meals, helping patients get out of bed and bathed, and supporting the nurses on the floor. “You are the eyes and ears for the nurses,” she says. “As a nurse today, I have a greater appreciation for techs, as a result of my experience.”
While attending nursing school and working at the hospital, Andrea and her parents made a deal. “I felt so blessed that my parents made an agreement with me – I could live with them for free as long as I continued to go to college,” Andrea
explains. She worked as needed, PRN (“pro re nata in Latin, which means “as needed”), at the hospital and focused on school. “I devoted a lot of time to studying.”
Following graduation, Andrea followed in her mother’s footsteps and began her nursing career on the medical-surgical floor. “You have a team here,” shares Andrea. “The team I have at Lovelace is amazing. You can always ask questions and they will help.”
Andrea says in addition to her mother’s example, advice and support, House Supervisor Diane VanWinkle, RN shaped her as a nurse. “She always went out of her way to help me be the best tech, so that I could be a better nurse,” Andrea shares. “She always told me to appreciate my tech!”
Knowing what you want to do in life is a blessing and Andrea has known for quite a while. As her hard work has paid off, she offers this advice to others: “If you enjoy taking care of people, this is the job for you.” She adds, “It’s tough, but it is worth it!”
To learn about nursing opportunities at Lovelace Regional Hospital – Roswell, please visit our careers page.