Paula Madrid, medical assistant at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists, is on her way to fulfilling her nursing dream, thanks to the Healthcare Careers scholarship.
When Paula was 15, her mother had an emergency hysterectomy at Beaufort Memorial. This was Paula's first hospital experience. She appreciated the care her mother received and was impressed with the nursing staff.
“They were so kind and compassionate toward her and explained everything to me,” Paula says. “Since then, nursing is what I have wanted to do.”
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Stepping Into Medicine
After high school, Paula became a registered medical assistant (RMA). As part of her RMA training, she performed an externship, a form of on-the-job training. Initially, she wanted to enter pediatrics or family practice, but the only opening was in obstetrics and gynecology. So, she took it.
Soon, she developed a love for women’s health, so much so that two years after earning her RMA degree, she continues working full-time at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists.
In her position, she guides patients to exam rooms, takes vital signs, learns the purpose of their visit and takes their medical history. The work is rewarding, but Paula still dreams of becoming a nurse.
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Moving Toward the Dream
When Paula was only 19, she made her first attempt at becoming a registered nurse (RN), but the timing wasn’t right.
Six years later, she was ready to try again, but juggling a full-time job and school seemed overwhelming until she heard about the Healthcare Careers scholarship.
Reserved for Beaufort Memorial employees, these scholarships, funded with donations to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation, are awarded twice a year to deserving employees. In total, 72 scholarships have been given out since 2016. Paula applied, and when she found out she was selected, she knew the time was right to move her health care career ahead.
“I don’t think I would have gone back this soon without the scholarship,” she says. “It pushed me to get out and finish my degree.”
Eye on the Future
Once she earns her RN degree, Paula would like to explore other fields of medicine. She’s interested in working in the emergency room and trying other specialties. However, she expects to make her way back to women’s health. It’s where her heart is.
No matter where her nursing career takes her, Paula has a simple goal. As she wrote in her scholarship application essay, she wants to “make others feel like my mother felt during her time at Beaufort Memorial ... to help others feel loved and supported and hopefully shine some light on a dark time.”
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