Not all super heroes wear capes. Some wear stethoscopes. And sensible shoes.
Meet Shea Pederson!
This #RealLifeWonderWoman began her professional life as a graphic designer working for the St. Cloud Times for almost 9 years. She decided to switch gears and go back to school for nursing as she had been a CNA while attending college for advertising/graphic design and really missed personally helping people. She finished her degree program (LPN, RN, BSN), worked at a nursing home briefly and then went to work with high acuity pediatric patients in a home setting. From there she went on to become a hospice nurse.
KR: What prompted you to work as a hospice nurse?
SP: I began working at Quiet Oaks Hospice House after a dear friend I had worked with lost a son who resided at Quiet Oaks at the end of his journey. She fell in love with Quiet Oaks and told me about this amazing hospice house. I took a tour, interviewed and began my journey with Quiet Oaks, where I have been employed since November of 2014. I work as a nurse and also as the Outreach Coordinator.
KR: Please tell us about what brings you joy and fulfillment.
SP: The thing that brings me the most joy and fulfillment at work is walking beside families and making connections with both the resident and their families. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends. Having us all together and the laughter is what I love the most.
My family consists of my fiance Mik, my bio daughters, Brooklyn, 25 and Peyton, 21 and my bonus children, Avry, 17, Brennan, 15, and Laela, 10 along with our 2 dogs, Oliver and Marley.
KR: We all have inner superpowers. What are some of yours?
SP: I have a strong sense of empathy. It’s almost like I can feel what others or feeling or have the ability to put myself into their shoes and imagine what they are feeling. I think this superpower makes it easy for me to connect with patients and gain the patient and family’s trust. I am also a very honest person. I value honesty and integrity and hope others are honest with me.
KR: Can you tell us about an influential woman in your life and how she inspired you?
SP: A woman in my life that has inspired me is my friend Alicia. She has experienced so much adversity in her life, but she still remains positive and keeps going. She has had so much success in her career and is constantly giving back to the community. She is always pushing herself to be better, but also is compassionate and understanding and willing to listen as a non-judgmental friend.
KR: If you could have one super-human power, what would it be?
SP: I would love to be able to time travel. I would love to go back to different eras and see what it was like to live during that time. I feel like we could gain so much perspective.
KR: What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies?
SP: I enjoy doing anything art related including drawing, coloring, painting and decorating. My hobbies also include playing volleyball, dancing and I LOVE traveling!
KR: Knowing what you know at this stage of your life, what words of wisdom would you give to your 20-year-old self?
SP: I would tell myself not to worry so much and not to sweat the small things. If you think these problems are big, they are only problems to you and worrying will never change the world…only hold you back. That voice inside your head is not always right…and to observe that voice as objective because it is only based on your experiences.
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