Get to Know our Staff: Sandra Hatchel, Inpatient Nursing Unit
What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am a registered nurse on the Inpatient Unit.
What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
As a R.N., I am kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I do all the tasks needed to provide care for my patients and their families while trying to provide the best experience possible.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job was as a vet assistant – I learned fast that while I liked dogs, this was not for me. When I started out in college, I volunteered at a local hospital. I found nursing interesting and thought, ‘Yep, this is where I’m meant to be.’ Since that time, I’ve worked as a tech for 10 years, then became an L.V.N., then R.N., (with both an associate degree in nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing). I basically just keep upgrading.
A fellow R.N. buddy worked at Scottish Rite and loved it. They said it was a different environment than other places to work. She was right — the work environment is just a different vibe — hard to describe, but if you know you know. I had always considered working in pediatrics and have been here for the last 2½ years.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I love my fellow tight-knit band of coworkers. We are like family! We know how to lift each other up and are always willing to help out or answer any questions. Every day I learn something new.
Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
I am a nurse, and a lot of people have an image of what that entails because what they see on TV, but the reality is not really like that. As a nurse, you are the advocate/cheerleader/friend/rule maker (the list goes on and on), but we truly are there for every up and down in our patient’s and family’s lives. It is awesome to see a kiddo who has been on the unit for a while go home, because you know you helped them get to that place of recovery. Our kiddos are very strong and some add a little sassiness to the mix. I love it!
Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Well, I have not done a lot of traveling outside of the U.S., but I would love to travel to Ireland and Spain. My dad is of Irish decent, and it would be nice to visit the beautiful country sides.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Easy — tostadas or enchiladas! Well, anything TexMex. Yum!
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I would go back to the ‘80s era. It was my childhood and an awesome time.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
A book, comfy clothes and some tea bags (I love unsweet tea – if you know me, you know this is true!)
What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I have a crazy sense of humor mixed with a little sarcasm. Even in the worst of times, we need to laugh.
I am a registered nurse on the Inpatient Unit.
What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
As a R.N., I am kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I do all the tasks needed to provide care for my patients and their families while trying to provide the best experience possible.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
My first job was as a vet assistant – I learned fast that while I liked dogs, this was not for me. When I started out in college, I volunteered at a local hospital. I found nursing interesting and thought, ‘Yep, this is where I’m meant to be.’ Since that time, I’ve worked as a tech for 10 years, then became an L.V.N., then R.N., (with both an associate degree in nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing). I basically just keep upgrading.
A fellow R.N. buddy worked at Scottish Rite and loved it. They said it was a different environment than other places to work. She was right — the work environment is just a different vibe — hard to describe, but if you know you know. I had always considered working in pediatrics and have been here for the last 2½ years.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I love my fellow tight-knit band of coworkers. We are like family! We know how to lift each other up and are always willing to help out or answer any questions. Every day I learn something new.
Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
I am a nurse, and a lot of people have an image of what that entails because what they see on TV, but the reality is not really like that. As a nurse, you are the advocate/cheerleader/friend/rule maker (the list goes on and on), but we truly are there for every up and down in our patient’s and family’s lives. It is awesome to see a kiddo who has been on the unit for a while go home, because you know you helped them get to that place of recovery. Our kiddos are very strong and some add a little sassiness to the mix. I love it!
Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
Well, I have not done a lot of traveling outside of the U.S., but I would love to travel to Ireland and Spain. My dad is of Irish decent, and it would be nice to visit the beautiful country sides.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Easy — tostadas or enchiladas! Well, anything TexMex. Yum!
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I would go back to the ‘80s era. It was my childhood and an awesome time.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
A book, comfy clothes and some tea bags (I love unsweet tea – if you know me, you know this is true!)
What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I have a crazy sense of humor mixed with a little sarcasm. Even in the worst of times, we need to laugh.
