Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Rice
Hi Spencer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Grew up in Tampa, FL and really didn’t have aspirations of going to college at all. After high school, I went to the community college in St. Petersburg, FL and obtained my AA degree and planned on going into Architectural Design. After discovering that field wasn’t for me, I shadowed a Trauma Nurse and fell in love with the field of nursing. I was initially denied into University of Florida’s Traditional Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Program due to my lack of involvement outside of academia. I decided to continue to pursue my dream and become a registered nurse. I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Health Education focusing on Community Health Promotion and later was accepted into UF’s Accelerated BS in Nursing program and graduated in August of 2022. 5 days after graduation I packed up my entire life and drove 17 hours to ATX. Currently, I am a Critical Care Nurse in the Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU at Dell Children’s Medical Center. I am currently working on my CCRN certification and am planning on applying to CRNA school sometime in the future. As of right now, I’m enjoying where I am at and am focusing on enjoying the present moment rather than meticulously planning the next step.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up, I didn’t have a safety net. I was a first generation college student and knew that if I wanted a life full of freedom and happiness that I’d have to do the hard work first. Starting in college with minimal support financially and emotionally, I found strength in my peers and the colleges faculty. After receiving my first nursing school denial, I was humbled and empowered to extend my time to community involvement. Of course nursing school at an accelerated rate at the number 4 public university in the country wasn’t easy, but I locked in and powered through. Moving to a new state to work with the sickest pediatric population was stressful but my partner and best friend were a phenomenal support system through the process. Overall, I feel I’ve overcame a lot with very little foundational knowledge of how to make life work. Truly anyone can accomplish their dreams and aspirations with focus, determination, and faith.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Pediatric Cardiovascular ICU Nurse. I specialize in Congenital Heart Defects, Pre/Post operative cardiac surgical care, heart failure, Ventricular Assistive Devices, Sedative and Pressor Titration, and most of all caring for the most resilient kiddos out there. I am so proud of the Open Heart Transplant Cases that I’ve been blessed to be apart of and truly proud of myself for stepping up and flourishing in a triple specialty like the PCVICU.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel like the characteristic that has most aided in my success is my ability to stay organized. I am very together when it comes to all aspects of life and that comes from growing up without a plan B. Taking life day by day with a structured plan that allows for flexibility has been the main reason I am where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerbsnrn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@spencerbsnrn
