On Certified Nurses Day, two Riley nurses talk about their love of learning and how that translates to better patient care.
By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
For Matthew Mast and Brandon Hawk, nursing and teaching go hand in hand.
Mast, a nurse in the Emergency Department at Riley Hospital for Children since 2019, and Hawk, a nurse on the inpatient rehab unit at Riley since 2019, believe that sharing their knowledge with the next generation of nurses helps encourage students and new nurses.
The two are among Riley Hospital for Children’s newest class of certified nurses, a distinction celebrated each year on March 19 – Certified Nurses Day.
Both earned their certifications last year (Mast in pediatric emergency nursing and Hawk in nursing education and rehabilitation nursing), joining more than 200 Riley nurses who have earned and maintained the highest credentials in their specialty, according to Kristin Miller, a certified pediatric nurse herself and senior project manager for Riley.
“Professional certification is a voluntary designation earned by individuals who demonstrate a high level of competency, skill and knowledge in their field,” Miller said. “Certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing.”
Mast has served as charge nurse and shift coordinator in the ED and more recently transitioned to a clinical advisor role, which allows him to coach new nurses, especially those right off orientation, and teach classes in the ED.
“I love learning, so I saw getting my certification as another way to gain knowledge,” said Mast, who studied for the certification exam last fall before taking and passing the test in December.
“When I started as a new grad, I would see the certification badges, and I looked up to those nurses and wanted to make that a priority in my nursing career.”
Hawk, who began with IU Health as a nurse on the adult cardiac medical-surgical unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital in 2018, made the move to Riley the following year and loved it.
“I love working with kids and being part of their journey on inpatient rehab,” he said.
He advanced to shift coordinator, then became part of the nursing professional development team, working as an educator on the unit. He moved into travel nursing for a year before rejoining the rehab unit, where he currently works part-time. The rest of his time is spent teaching the newest crop of nurses at Indiana University Indianapolis School of Nursing.
“I just fell in love with teaching,” Hawk said. “I started precepting nurses on the rehab unit, and as dayshift coordinator I helped new nurses get oriented to the unit. Now, I’m doing what I love – teaching and working as a nurse. It’s the best of both worlds.”
He sees plenty of promise in the newest class of nurses and hopes they will receive the support they need when they enter the field.
“I see a lot of upcoming nurses who are very passionate about wanting to give their future patients the best care possible and who are working very hard in school,” he said. “The environment in nursing is getting better, but we’re still recovering from the pandemic when a lot of nurses got burned out.”
Mast, who initially considered a career in physical therapy, said working in the ED is a challenge every day, but one he relishes.
“One thing that keeps me going is there is always something new, so you never know what you’re walking into,” he said. “I also appreciate the teamwork in the ED, even on our worst days. We recognize we all went through the same thing and we’re there for each other, ready to help, no matter what.”
Speaking of something new, Mast and his wife, Haley, will join the ranks of new parents this spring. They are expecting a little girl.
“I’m excited for this next step,” he said. “I feel like it will be different working in peds now because I’ll have a kid of my own.”
For Hawk, earning first his master’s degree in nursing education, then his certification last year helped improve his skills and will improve patient care as a whole as he shares his experience with newer nurses.
“Certification obviously validates your nursing expertise, but it also deepens your knowledge,” he said. “And it’s never too late to get certified. There is always room for growth.”
Hawk and his wife, Lauren, love to travel and hike, most recently visiting Acadia National Park in Maine.
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org, and Maureen Gilmer