By Ella Tobin

Paying attention to small details and giving a little extra effort can make a great impact on our patients and their families.

In celebration of Nurses Week, chief nurse executive Maribeth Mclaughlin, MPM, BSN, RN, FAAN, looks back over her 40-year career, reflects on her call to purpose, and highlights how UPMC is preparing the next generation of nurses.

“I was always taking on new challenges throughout my career, and I realized that I wanted to be able to have a bigger impact beyond the direct care I provided; I wanted to be able to influence more for both my peers and for our patients. That’s ultimately what led me down this path into leadership,” Maribeth shares.

One of the most enjoyable parts of her career today is being able to continue to grow the profession she loves and support the next generation of nurses. UPMC Schools of Nursing help people, who otherwise might never be able to become a nurse, take advantage of UPMC’s clinical expertise and experiences, and then go on to build a rewarding career.

“I’m 40 years into my career and I’m realizing that I’m not able to do this forever, so it gives me the opportunity to pass on what I know to the people who have the desire inside them to be a nurse —because being a nurse is in your core. It’s not a job. It is who you become and who you are.”

In celebration of Nurses Week, chief nurse executive Maribeth Mclaughlin, MPM, BSN, RN, FAAN, looks back over her 40-year career, reflects on her call to purpose, and highlights how UPMC is preparing the next generation of nurses.

“I was always taking on new challenges throughout my career, and I realized that I wanted to be able to have a bigger impact beyond the direct care I provided; I wanted to be able to influence more for both my peers and for our patients. That’s ultimately what led me down this path into leadership,” Maribeth shares.

One of the most enjoyable parts of her career today is being able to continue to grow the profession she loves and support the next generation of nurses. UPMC Schools of Nursing help people, who otherwise might never be able to become a nurse, take advantage of UPMC’s clinical expertise and experiences, and then go on to build a rewarding career.

“I’m 40 years into my career and I’m realizing that I’m not able to do this forever, so it gives me the opportunity to pass on what I know to the people who have the desire inside them to be a nurse —because being a nurse is in your core. It’s not a job. It is who you become and who you are.”