Healing Heart: Crystal Onadeko, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC

Nashville General Hospital Registered Nurse

Crystal Onadeko, BSN, RN, MEDSBURG-BC, knew at a very young age she wanted to help people live healthier.

“I’ve always been very interested in improving the health and well-being of people around me, but I didn’t know the best way to do it,” says Crystal. “As I got older, and experienced other careers, I decided that nursing was the best way for me to accomplish this goal.”

Prior to joining Nashville General Hospital in 2019, Crystal worked in a UPS warehouse and as a machine operator for the Davidson County Election Commission.

While in nursing school, she had the opportunity to do hands-on training at Nashville General Hospital.

“I love the family-like atmosphere here and that we all know each other’s name. After I got my nursing license, I knew this was the right place for me,” adds Crystal. “I’m inspired by how Nashville General makes a difference and provides equal access to healthcare that’s accessible to all.”

Why did you become a nurse?

I became a nurse to improve the health and well-being of others. I want to provide people with tools and knowledge they can use to improve their health. People want to be healthy, but they don’t always know how. As a nurse, I can help share that knowledge.

How has nursing changed during your career?

My nursing career began about six months before the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, there have been numerous, almost daily, changes. Every day we learn something new. Nursing is about being flexible to the changes that occur so we can provide the best patient care.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I love listening to podcasts, watching television, exercising, eating good food, traveling, singing, dancing, couponing, freebies, getting a massage, and catching up on sleep.
What did you do before you became a nurse?

I worked in a warehouse at UPS for a season. I also worked as a machine operator for the Davidson County Election Commission for about 5 years.

When did you initially know you wanted to become a nurse?

Since grade school, I’ve always have been very interested in improving the health and well-being of people around me, but I didn’t know the best way to do it. As I became older and wiser (and narrowed down my choices), nursing seemed as the best way to accomplish this goal.

Why did you become a nurse?

I became a nurse to improve the health and well-being of others. I wanted to provide people with tools (mainly knowledge) that they can use to improve their health. The other day, there was a patient on my floor that just had his toe surgically removed due to infection. He is a diabetic. I was shocked when I walked into his room and found a 2 liter bottle of orange Fanta soda on his bedside table and a Domino’s pizza box in his trashcan. Obviously he needs some of my “tools”.

Why did you choose to work at NGH?

I enjoyed doing some of my clinicals here at NGH while I was in nursing school. After obtaining my license, I knew it was the place that I could call home.

What do you like about working at NGH?

I love having a family-like atmosphere when I am away from my family at home. We all know each other at NGH by name, which is awesome!

What has been the most difficult part of nursing/working during the COVID-19 pandemic?

One was the lack of PPE and other supplies during the toughest time of the pandemic. The other was constantly sending patients from my floor to the ICU. It was frightening not knowing if the patient would survive or not.

How has nursing changed during your career?

Interestingly, my nursing career began about 6 months before the beginning of the pandemic, so there have been numerous (daily) changes since July 2019 until now. I remember being floated to the ICU wearing a reusable plastic gown that had to be wiped down with purple wipes. I even remember the huge ceiling-to-floor zipper between the nurse's station and the patient’s rooms in the ICU. As of today, they no longer exist. Every day, it’s about being flexible to various changes that may occur at any time.

If a nurse ran the world, how would our lives be different?

I think that people would be healthier and more compassionate towards others if a nurse ran the world. Perhaps the crime rate would be virtually non-existent, people would have access to healthcare, no matter what their socio-economic status is, or where they live.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the little things that people do that make a big difference. For example, about 10 years ago, I was sick and tired of purchasing groceries at Kroger, just for my brother to take all of the fuel points to fill up his vehicle! So, I was left with none (at the time the Kroger fuel points were all or nothing). Ironically, an employee at Kroger had the same issue with her husband. So, I sent an email to Kroger explaining this issue and I offered a solution: allowing people to choose how many fuel points can be used at one time at the pump. Issue solved!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I love listening to podcasts, watching television, exercising, eating good food, traveling, singing, dancing, couponing, freebies, getting a massage, and catching up on sleep. I usually would run a few errands from time to time.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I can’t think of anything else at this time, other than thanking you for this opportunity for this interview.