Justin Henry, RN, CEN
Public Health Nurse
Years with the Lenawee County Health Department: Less than 1 Year
Can you tell us about yourself and your background in nursing?
I started my nursing career in 2018 as an LPN, I worked as an LPN in different settings including the emergency room, long-term care, assisted living, and the mental health unit of a state prison. Before that, I was a Phlebotomist, Pharmacy Technician, and Patient Care Technician (Emergency Department/MedSurg/ICU/Stepdown).
In 2019, I started my RN career in Emergency Medicine. The COVID-19 Pandemic started about 6 months after I started and 1 month after I completed orientation. By 2020, I had taken and passed my Certified Emergency Nurse boards, which only about 41,000 RNs hold in the USA out of the current 4.7 million registered nurses in the country as of 2024.
As an RN I’ve worn many hats, but primarily I’ve always focused on quality improvement initiatives, training and education of new nurses, and SDOH identification and barrier removal to increase access to care.
In 2023 I made the transition out of emergency medicine to public health and that has been one of the biggest transitions about also one of the most eye-opening. When you get to look at the healthcare continuum from a bigger lens you can truly see where we can do better and where nurses can fill in the gaps in healthcare.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
My mom always wanted to be a nurse, but due to raising a family and other personal issues, she was unable to complete nursing school. My parents have always pushed my brothers and I to be better and never settle for anything. So, nursing is the career that allows you to always grow and advance yourself, from clinical to administrative aspects, nursing has a place for just about anyone.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
As a nurse, we are often faced with financial, legislative, and psychosocial barriers that we must overcome for our client’s care. We often navigate these barriers with limited resources and often lack support from federal and state leaders. Being able to provide the client the care they need, but do not have access to it simply because of what piece of plastic they carry in their wallet is disheartening and very frustrating.
What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?
At the start of my nursing career, it was being able to care for clients at the worst time of their life. When you come to the emergency room, you usually are not having the best day, and being able to make your visit a little less difficult is rewarding. As well as often, as the emergency nurse, you will be the last person someone will ever see on this earth, and that is a difficult but just as rewarding privilege to know someone did not pass alone.
Now, moving out of emergency medicine, It’s being able to see clients gain access to care they truly need, and when you see the relief when you can provide them resources and access, it’s just as special of a moment.
What skills do you think are essential for someone in your profession?
Everyone thinks being “smart” is the most important thing as a nurse. That isn’t really what it is. It’s truly a drive to never stop learning. As a nurse, we are in a unique career where we transcend just one career. We often intersect with other professionals in similar disciplines, and more often than not, disciplines we have received no training in. As a nurse, our training is broad, and a solid foundation, allowing us to be able to cross barriers and make a difference. The most essential skill is to be able to never settle for “good enough”. Once you’ve settled as a nurse, then it’s time for you to move on, as healthcare is forever changing, and you must stay updated on best practices, and how you can make a difference.
How do you keep your clinical skills up to date?
Use them! Often I hear nurses will “lose their skills” when they leave the bedside. That may be true to some extent, we never lose how to be a “nurse”. That is the true difference. Also, to continue on the drive to never stop learning, you should keep updated on best practices relevant to your field. Using podcasts, journals, articles, and webinars, I keep myself up to date on what’s changing and what’s coming next.
How has being a nurse impacted your view of the world?
Johnson & Johnson company coined the term “Nurse Effect” which is “the positive impact nurses have on people’s lives and society as a whole”. This is so true! We have a unique ability that most careers don’t. We can level with anyone, and we are the most trusted profession in the country! We’ve been the most trusted profession in USA for 22 years running! I see the world in a way now that most outside our profession don’t. We are always assessing and looking for barriers and ways we can make a difference. That might be at the bedside, or it could be at the grocery store. Nurses I truly believe are just built different.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in nursing?
Be comfortable with not knowing. Most careers, you go to school and you come out and you’re prepared to tackle most challenges. Nursing is pretty much the exact opposite of this. Nursing school is just a very basic foundation. No matter where you land after school, you will feel inadequate and unprepared. This is something that truly never goes away. No matter if you’ve worked in a field of nursing for decades, you will ALWAYs be learning. You will see and do new things almost every day! It’s why this profession is so special.
What are your favorite ways to unwind after a busy day at work?
Most wouldn’t know this, I actually lead 2 e-sports teams. I’ve been a computer gamer since I was 8 years old and have competed on national platforms many times. So computer gaming is a passion of mine and my favorite way to unwind.
Now as of late, I have my first baby girl, and spending time with my wife and my daughter is taking over as my new favorite way to relax!
Who in your field do you admire most and why?
My first preceptor I ever had as a nurse in the emergency room. She was a nurse ending her career when she took me on as her last preceptee. She was true to the mantra of, you do it right or don’t do it at all. She took no excuses and demanded perfection. Most found her to be cruel and mean honestly, but, she would truly demand of you to be the best you can be. I truly believe her mentorship shaped me in more ways than she will ever know! I actually, got to present her as the Nurse of the Year for our health system in her retirement, a very special moment.
Is there a message you would like to share with your fellow nurses during this special week?
Do what makes you uncomfortable. If you’ve always contemplated going back to school, just do it. You will always regret it if you don’t. As nurses we are born to strive for more and be better. Once you settle and stop striving, you will forever resent yourself. Don’t. Stop. Learning. You can do it, because as I said, there is 4.7 million of us in this country alone. We are all here for each other and it’s never going to change. Happy Nurse’s Week 2024!