Single Mother of Four Finds Nursing Success

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Misty Johnson, second from right, is pictured with her four children.

Misty Johnson, a 2006 graduate of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas, had the ultimate challenge of raising four children while juggling the hectic schedule of a nursing student. 

"I used to sleep when they would sleep and get up super early to study," Johnson said.

It was especially difficult to balance school, a part-time job at the university's health center and the needs of her four small children, who were all under the age of 5 at the time, she said. However, when sitting down and thinking about whether she wanted to go back to finish her degree or not, the answer seemed pretty clear.

"Prior to going back to nursing school I had always worked two jobs, so I had to think, do I really want to work two jobs forever or do I want to finish school and start the career that I really want. I just had a sense of determination of not going back to the past because I had come too far to do that," Johnson said. 

Since graduating, Johnson has received her dream job as a breast health navigator at Washington Regional Medical Center, offering support to patients in Washington and Benton counties. As a breast health navigator, she works as a patient advocate to provide guidance and support to patients from diagnosis all the way through survivorship. She helps connect patients with financial resources and other community agencies that provide support and help during their time of need.

Breast health navigators are considered a part of a multidisciplinary team in the area; they work together with different positions in the nursing field and with families to help the patients stay on track with their treatment plans. Also, they take part in weekly breast conferences with other cancer specialists within the hospital in order for everyone to stay in the loop with what is going on with the patient's treatment plans.

Johnson loves her position because, not only is she physically supporting patients, she also provides much needed emotional support for them.

"We become connected with a lot of our patients that don't have family or support locally," Johnson said. "We are able to step in that role and encourage and uplift them and be that friend that they need. Our job description actually says 'be a knowledgeable friend,' which is true because we help them in more ways than one, which is really so rewarding."

Through her time as a breast health navigator, she has had several experiences that have reminded her why she decided to go back to school to finish her degree in the first place. Specifically, she had to combine her previous experience working as a psychiatric nurse with her current job in breast health. With one patient, Johnson was challenged to combine her past and present experience in order to provide the best care she could because not only was her patient struggling with breast cancer but she also had mental illnesses.

"It was during Christmas time and she wished that she had a tree," Johnson said. "Since a few of her family members had passed away, I brought her a tree and I was just able to be there for her even though it was a lot of work. It made me realize that all the challenges I had been through with school and nursing were well worth it."

As a single mother of four, Johnson truly had to learn to master the art of time management. Her position has allowed her to have the flexibility she needs to not only provide care for her patients but to also still have time to have her family be an important priority.

"Nursing is a gift in itself; you have to love to care for people," she said. "Even though my children are priority, it's not just about us and our household. It's not all about you when you are a nurse; it's the notion of love your neighbor and help your neighbor."

In the future she hopes to go back to school to get her master's degree. After her kids are grown and out of the house, she really would like to come back to the University of Arkansas campus and teach.

"I would like to help younger kids learn. I went into nursing to help people and I think it would just be nice to sew into the minds of a younger generation. The reward for helping people is way greater than the monetary gain for me," Johnson said.

Although she seems to have it all figured out now, it wasn't always that way. Johnson was able to accomplish her goals and receive a job that she had always dreamed of having. Through the support of her mentors, children and own determination, she was able to take her career to the success that it is today.

"If I could offer any advice to nursing students today, it would be to be open to what first made you want to go into this field," she said. "Remember, as you put others first, then your own goals and your own needs will line up the way they are meant to as you are dedicating your time to helping others."