SAMANTHA DOCKEN Comingtothe aidofothers RN

went withacareerinnursing,” shesaid.

Dockencurrently worksasanurseinthe Nebraska Medicine Bellevue Intensive Care Unitwhereshealsoservesasaskilledmentor andtrainer fornewnursesand fillsinasa chargenurse fortheICU.

BY JONLEU

Somefacetofthemedical fieldhasalways beenacalling for Samantha Docken,aBlair nativewho’s livedmostofherlifeinOmaha. Sheinitially consideredacareerasapharmacistand consideredstudying to becomea surgeon.

“ButIlikedthe ‘peopleinteraction’ and

Sheearnedherbachelor’s degreeinnursingfromNebraska Methodist Collegein2017. Prior to assuminghercurrent position,she workedasanurseinnearlyeveryinpatient unit at a LevelOne Trauma Center. Dockenalso workedasanurseintheNebraska BiocontainmentUnitand Federal Quarantine Center, oneofseveralmedical workers to initially respond to the COVID-19crisistaking careofsomeofthe first COVID-19patients whoarrivedinthe U.S.

Herpassion forhelpingothersledher to the American Red Crosswhile working twopart-timejobs to supportherfull-time enrollmentinnursingschool. As adisaster services relief worker,shehelpedduringthe aftermathofHurricaneHarveyin Texas.She volunteeredwiththe Civil Air Patrol’s Emergency ServicesOperationsin conducting inlandsearchand rescue fordownedaircraft.

Dockeniscurrentlyseekingacceptance into adoctorate innursingpracticeprogram at Clarkson to becomea Critical Care Medical Nurse Practitioner.

“Constantlearningappeals to me,andthis wouldallowme to makeaneven greater impactonpatients’ lives,” shesaid.

“When youaskanynursewhytheychose to gointo thisprofession,theywillalmost always tell youitisthehuman connection,” Dockensaid.“It’stheability to makean impactonanotherhuman’s life, theability