ACTRI Nurses Week Meet Dennis Perpetua
Let’s get straight into it!
Meet Dennis Perpetua, Senior Licensed Vocational Nurse who has worked at the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute for over 12 years.
How has ACTRI shaped your nursing career?
Being at the ACTRI has given me a sense of awe and a deep sense of appreciation at the gears at work for experimental drugs and equipment that can someday impact a person’s life.
What led you to become a research nurse?
I accidentally stumbled upon this area of practice and will always be forever grateful to find such a gratifying field.
What about being a research nurse inspires you?
Whatever it may be, an investigational drug, a simple way to improve health, or new technology which can someday improve the way we provide healthcare inspires me to come to come to work at the ACTRI.
What are your biggest job motivators?
Our patients are our biggest motivator because no matter how they feel, they believe in the clinical trials they have signed up, it may not be for them for but them but for the next generation.
What are some things you’d like people to know about the nursing profession?
Heart and lots of. Nurses have the ability to absorb tremendous challenges, they won’t skip a beat to help out in an emergency.
What are some ways the community can support nurses, not only during Nurses week but all year long.
By following local health directives and guidelines, the community can impact nurses in their respective departments who work tirelessly providing healthcare.
Tell us about a challenging moment in your nursing career.
I think it is inherent in all nurses to do what they are tasked, sometimes we tend to forget about our own health and this can sometimes change the way we look at our nursing careers. I ask that we all take better care of ourselves for our families and our patients.
Has COVID changed your life as a research nurse in any way?
I think COVID has impacted all of us, for me it was “how we can help and provide our skillset”. It has help me to believe in working together as a whole because without all other nurses, it could have been a much more difficult and trying time.
How do you manage a work/life balance?
To manage work/life balance, I always find time to spend with my family, watching movies, going to concerts or just doing a hobby like photography and playing tennis with my sons and friends.
What advice would you give to nursing students, recent grads, or your past self?
I would advise potential students to look at the different fields of nursing and see where their passion lies. Some of us may change directions along our career path but it will always our dedication to respond and help whoever and whenever.
Are there any specific healthcare tips you’d like to share with the community?
I think we all need to act responsibly even in the simplest way. A kind gesture, being polite and conscious with our interactions creates a ripple effect which hopefully makes life a bit more bearable without the anxieties and worries which can impact our health and well-being.
UC San Diego ACTRI appreciates all the hard work, effort and dedication all nurses put into their work and wishes them a Happy National Nurses Week!