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Whether precepting nursing students, educating heart surgery patients or customizing patient and family education materials, Susan Gabriel, BSN, CCRN, CSC, embraces teaching as a central part of her role as a nurse.
“I’ve been given so many opportunities to advance my nursing practice at BWH. Teaching others is the least I can do to give back,” said Gabriel, a staff nurse in the Cardiac Surgery ICU, who began her career at BWH in 1980 after graduating from Massachusetts General School of Nursing. Through the educational opportunities at BWH, she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass-Boston, as well as numerous other certifications. She now helps others learn as much as possible.
“I remember when I was green and nervous, and I really appreciated when someone helped me out,” Gabriel said.
Erin Williams, a senior nursing student at Fitchburg State University, can attest to Gabriel’s talent for teaching. “She’s a great instructor because she explains everything and makes me feel very comfortable,” said Williams, who is completing her clinical requirement with Gabriel on two twelve-hour shifts per week. “You need that in order to be able to ask a lot of questions and learn.”
In addition to teaching students, Gabriel also is a member of a committee working to customize education for cardiovascular patients and families. The education will be available in the form of videos when the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center opens this spring.
Also this spring, Gabriel is taking her talents abroad by joining a volunteer group of cardiac surgeons, nurses and others on a mission to Rwanda. Team Heart is working to help King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda establish its own cardiac surgery program. Gabriel and other nurses will help educate the Rwandan nurses to care for patients during and after heart surgery. “I’m excited to teach while learning about a new culture,” she said.
Gabriel has worked with cardiac patients for the past eight years, but has worked with many patient populations during her career. “I really enjoy working with the cardiovascular team,” she said. “Brigham and Women’s Hospital is at the forefront of cardiac surgery, and there is always something new to learn.”