“Helping people, even in the smallest measure, is a big part of what makes a good life to me.”
– Victoria Szumski, RN, BSN
Signallamp Spotlight features interviews with some of our talented and passionate team members. Our goal is to provide a peek inside our organization, specific aspects of the profiled role, and a few lesser known details that offer a glimpse into the lives of our Signallamp family outside of work. This spotlight features Victoria Szumski, RN, BSN, Clinical Quality Coordinator .
Tell us a little bit about your role and a day in the life.
At Signallamp, I provide education, instruction, guidance, and support to my patients on a daily basis. I am a big believer in being self-empowered when it comes to your health and healthcare. Providing education to my patients, supporting them in their decisions, answering their questions, and alleviating their concerns helps them become advocates for their own health and healthcare. This ultimately leads to better outcomes for my patients.
Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?
One of my favorite parts of nursing is the education and instruction I am able to provide to patients. Working in a hospital, or other fast-paced setting, I was not able to devote the time necessary to provide proper education. I knew that patients were not being properly educated or empowered to help themselves post discharge. At Signallamp Health, I am able to follow up with them in their home setting and ensure that they have the tools necessary to succeed with their own health care.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Signallamp Health?
I really like the company culture. I knew from day one that I was working for a special company. This is a company that truly cares about their employees, they listen to us and are very receptive to feedback. They understand that the best way to improve patient outcomes is to foster an environment in which their employees thrive.
What makes a good life?
Living a life geared towards service to others. This does not necessarily mean giving monetarily. Giving of your time is just as—if not more—important, and benefits both the giver and the receiver. Booker T. Washington once said, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others,” and Charles Dickens said. “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Helping people, even in the smallest measure, is a big part of what makes a good life to me.
What is special about the place you grew up?
I was born in Southern California and lived a block away from the ocean until I was 10. The ocean is one of the most amazing things on earth; it contains 2.2 million species, is the worlds most shared resource, and produces about 70% of the oxygen we breathe. The earth is 70% ocean, yet it is so large that it is still 95% unexplored. Growing up I was at the beach very often. Looking back now, I see that when you are exposed to something daily it is so easy to take it for granted. This perspective has allowed me to gain more appreciation for the things in my life, both small and large.
What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
A cross-country exploration of the United States. I would love to travel across the country, go to every state, take in all the diverse sites, and learn as much as I could about each state.
What’s the most poignant lesson you’ve learned about seniors from working in senior care?
Seniors have so much life wisdom to share. They’ve lived life and there are times where nothing but life experience will be able to teach us the lessons we truly need to learn. Just a few things that working with seniors has taught me is the importance of family, as well as how to face trials with grace and dignity, and how to make time for what truly matters because, after all, life goes by faster than we think.
If all jobs had the same pay and hours, what job would you like to have?
I would like to run an animal sanctuary. To me, it would be so rewarding to rescue animals who have had a tough life and be able to give them a safe place to call home for them to live out the rest of their lives in peace. Working with animals has always had a special place in my heart and is an extremely rewarding calling. Animals teach us about trust and unconditional love, something the world could use more of.