GILLIKIN LEAH

Inpatient Nurse Navigator, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare

Describe your role.

“Essentially the admissions and discharge nurse for all patients at the Hospice Care Center in Wilmington. This job includes the implementation of care plans for patients at the end of life across the lifespan; safe medication administration and creation of therapeutic relationships with the patient and their friends/family; collaborating as a team with fellow nurses, leadership, and health care providers.”

What are examples of some of your achievements so far?

“Graduated nursing school at (the age of) twenty. Was able to put myself through merit nursing scholarships. Hired as a new graduate nurse – one of the first ever – to work inpatient as an RN at the Wilmington Care Center. One year later, I would work as a nurse navigator in Wilmington, also being credentialed at Novant Health NHRMC working on the Clinical Liaison team, along with working PRN with Wilmington GI as pre/post-op nurse. I have a strong passion for GI cancer prevention and early detection after losing my father three weeks after his diagnosis with colon cancer my senior year of high school.”