April 18, 2022
Meet Ciara Cruesoe, LPN
LPN - Spine
Ciara is a spine LPN at the Center for Advanced Medicine and St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Where are you from?
I am from St. Louis, MO.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
I came to WashU Orthopedics after working in orthopedics at Barnes-Jewish Hospital as a unit secretary while I went through LPN school. I learned a lot from the nurses and ortho techs, it helped me to finish my program. I have wanted to be a nurse since high school, so I could help people when they aren't feeling their best. I have had many opportunities to see that reward from patients; it's been my reason to keep going.
What aspect of your work do you find most interesting or rewarding?
I find working in clinic the most rewarding. It is there where I can see patients face-to-face, after having assisted them over the phone. Most times they are pleased and comforted to associate a face with a voice and name.
What surgeon do you support?
I support Dr. Munish Gupta.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
My favorite thing to do outside of work is go to church, bargain shop, and spend time with my family. It is hard to pinpoint my favorite family celebration of all-time or favorite family memory because we ALWAYS have memorable and fun times together.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
My grandmother told me there is no use in having book sense with no common sense.
If you weren't in health care, what would you like to be doing?
If I weren't in health care, I would want to be a teacher. I would teach middle school English because it's an important subject to know throughout life.
Anything else you would like to share?
I am a proud wife, and a mother to three beautiful girls. I am a daughter, big sister, First Lady (Pastor’s wife), and mentor to many. My daughters are age six, 10 and 15. My husband is a Pastor of a church in the inner city. I mentor the young ladies in my ministry and younger family members. Sometimes I even step in with my girls' friends. Anytime I see a need I am willing to step in and help. My family always finds reasons to celebrate one another, be it game night, potluck dinner, out to dinner for birthdays. We are always loving on one another.
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