Carmen Fontenla fell in love with pediatric nursing during her clinical rotation with Akron Children’s, realizing how much she enjoyed working with kids and their families. She also found the environment and her fellow nurses supportive. It wasn’t long before she was accepted into Akron Children’s ASCEND program, an initiative created to promote a diverse workforce where nursing students shadow other departments to gain clinical and professional experience.
“Akron Children’s offered the ASCEND program for nursing students from underrepresented groups, which I applied to and was accepted into,” Carmen shared. “As a first-generation American and college student, these diversity and inclusion efforts were so meaningful to me. I had such a great experience and mentor during my internship that I transitioned into a nurse tech role afterward.”
Getting comfortable with a supportive and fun team inspired Carmen to get involved in initiatives to support and advocate for fellow nurses. “During my time here, I’ve had many rewarding opportunities for growth. I presented the ASCEND internship experiences to the Magnet Recognition Program board during our 2021 re-designation and served on the panel for our 2023 Simulation Center re-accreditation with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. And I served on the Transition to Practice Advisory Board, where I contributed to discussions focused on improving outcomes in nursing development and satisfaction,” she said.
Ultimately, Carmen believes in bringing care, compassion and creativity to all she does—and it’s her biggest piece of advice to aspiring nurses. “My advice for nurses considering a role at Akron Children’s is to come with a genuine passion for working with children and their families. Also, don’t worry if you don’t know everything right away. Our staff is super supportive; always willing to help. They will encourage you to ask questions and continue learning!”
Ready for a career in nursing with learning opportunities, professional advancement and an inspiring environment? It’s all here at Akron Children’s. Learn more about our ASCEND Nursing Program or apply to one of our nursing roles today.
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