Story

Getting to know our nurses: Tara Balsamo

Balsamo

Name: Tara Balsamo, MSN, RN, CCRN, TraumaOne

UF Health: When did you realize you wanted to become a nurse and why?

Balsamo: In 2007, my dad was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. My mom and I took care of him from January until May, when he passed away. As a result of his passing, I was anxious to change my career path and started nursing school at Jacksonville University in August 2008. At the time of my dad's passing, I was utilizing my degree in criminal justice, working at the State Attorney's Office as a paralegal.

Due to life circumstances, I was changed in a positive way forever. I wanted to be able to touch lives like those who cared for my father touched ours. I still remember some of the people who cared for my dad to this day.

Nursing is a very noble profession. It takes a special person to be a nurse, and I take my job very seriously.

UF Health: What made you choose UF Health?

Balsamo: I first decided to come to UF Health because I wanted to gain more knowledge and experience. I knew the only way to do this was to go to UF Health and gain experience in the area of caring for critically ill patients.

I love the environment of the teaching hospital and could not imagine working anywhere else.  The physicians here do a great job of incorporating the nurses and other health care team members into daily rounds and other aspects of patient care. 

I also chose UF Health because [Director of Nursing Research] Roberta Christopher was my mentor in Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society. She is so supportive, driven and motivated. She inspires me because she has achieved so much in her career.

UF Health: Do you have any other role models here?

Balsamo: Teresa Calvert, RN, and Dee Arnold, RN. Both of them have been nurses for a long time and have a vast knowledge and a lot of experience. They both remain cool, calm, and collected at all times. They would be great mentors for anyone.  

UF Health: Tell us about your career path during your time here at UF Health. 

Balsamo: I started here in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) and then transferred to the surigical/neuro intensive care unit (SICU/Neuro ICU). After working there I transferred to the Trauma Center with an ultimate goal of becoming a flight nurse. I love the fast pace and unpredictability of nursing. There might be no downtime the whole day – that makes the day go by very fast. I don't know that I could ever imagine working at a desk job again.

UF Health: Tell us about the special connection nurses have with patients and their families.

Balsamo: Every connection is unique depending on the nurse and what the patients and families need at that time in their lives. I strongly believe in being honest with them even when the truth is hard to hear. For instance, if a patient is sick, I think the family should be provided realistic information about their condition to prepare them if something unexpected occurs. I think I can sometimes come across as intimidating or even uncaring because of that, but those who know me well know I have a soft side and a good heart deep down inside.

I truly believe people come into your life, even for a short time, for different reasons, and everyone serves a purpose.

UF Health: How do you keep a positive attitude when times get tough on the job?

Balsamo: First and foremost, I truly love what I do and the people I work with so it makes coming to work every day very easy. Also, the Trauma Center has the best working environment I have worked in as a nurse. The teamwork is like no other and the staff members are high caliber nurses who always strive to do better. We are there for each other and supportive of each other, so bad situations really don't seem so bad because of the assistance we offer one another. At the end of the day, your success is all about the people you work with, and we have a great team.

UF Health: Where are you from originally?

Balsamo: Tampa. We came here when I was in high school because of my dad’s job.

UF Health: What’s something a lot of your coworkers don’t know about you?

Balsamo: My husband Chris and I live on a farm in Glen St. Marys. We have five cows, some chickens and two dogs. I bring eggs in to work for people sometimes.

 

This Q and A is an installment of our “Getting to know our nurses” series.