Spotlighting the Career of LT Letaya Robinson

March 2021 Mini Spotlight

                                                                                                                                                                                           LT Letaya Robinson

What does being a nurse mean to you?

Describing what being a nurse means to me is especially significant when considering the current pandemic. Nurses often face many challenges and it is not unlikely to find oneself putting aside one’s own personal safety concerns for the well- being of the patient population. Nurses encompass the characteristics of adaptability, patience, kindness, flexibility, and selflessness. This is very evident in today’s world as nurses work tirelessly during this pandemic. Being a nurse means taking the extensive formal training one has learned and applying those lessons and concepts in real life situations. Being a nurse often involves showing a high level of compassion and empathy to complete strangers. Being versatile in volatile situations, predictable in unpredictable circumstances, and respectable even when you are not respected.

2020 has been declared the year of the nurse, when you think of what it means to be a USPHS nurse, what stands out most to you?

As a USPHS nurse the factor that stands out most to me is the flexibility that the nursing profession shows in this service. Nurses can be utilized in a variety of roles making us essential to the agencies we serve. USPHS nurses are a key component to the Commissioned Corps and make great sacrifices to meet the mission. A PHS nurse is constantly involved in improving the health of the nation and exemplify the resilience necessary to serve in austere conditions.

When people ask what you do as a USPHS nurse what do you tell them?

As a USPHS nurse I promote health and wellness of the nation by serving in understaffed and underserved populations. I can improve the health of the nation by focusing attention on our most vulnerable populations. USPHS nurses serve in areas of nursing that I would never have thought of in nursing school. PHS nurses impact policy and direct patient care decisions at the highest levels of their organizations. They are leaders in their agencies and are constantly looked to for solving some of the most challenging situations for their patients and agencies.

What opportunities have you had as a USPHS nurse that you may not have had in the civilian community?

The Public Health Service has afforded me the opportunity to practice in a variety of roles with those from multicultural backgrounds. I advocate for a population of patients that are sometimes disregarded. This is extremely important when it comes to public health as the health status of a single patient can affect the masses. I have been able to apply public health and epidemiologic theories and principles to protect the health of the most vulnerable populations. I have been able to grow as a nurse and as an individual; learning and applying new skills everyday to clinical and public health challenges.

What is the best part of being a nurse?

The best part of being a nurse is having the ability to establish patient relationships that provide a positive impact on patient’s lives. The ability to help a patient along their journey to health and wellness along with being a steady hand to help them when they need the support the most.

Why is nursing essential to public health?

Nursing is essential to public health because nurses are on the front line of health promotion and treatment. Nursing is a unique discipline in that nurses are involved in all realms of a patient’s plan of care. Nurses educate, screen, assess, treat, and follow up on a patient’s care. Nursing is truly a holistic discipline and arguably the backbone of the healthcare system.