Living and Working the Mission - Richard Sposito

A Calling to care

When Richard Sposito BSN, RN, shows up for work, he knows that every day will have its own unique mix of challenges and health care scenarios. As nurse manager of the Emergency Department at Catholic Health’s St. Joseph Hospital, Rich knows that every day presents its own journey.

“It’s a fast-paced, ever-changing environment,” said 10-year veteran of nursing. “In the Emergency Department, we see everything from routine injuries and illnesses to critical crises. You become like a fire fighter, ready to respond and always adapting to the arc of the fire. The hourly priorities change with the ebb and flow of inbound arrivals. But the overall mission remains constant—give the best care and treatment we can to our patients and give support to their families.”

That sense of mission comes from Catholic Health’s unifying values, according to Rich. “We’re a faith-based health care system. Certainly, the employees—and our patients—all come from different faith communities. But we come together in our deep sense of caring. For us, it’s a sacred calling.”

Rich was promoted last year from staff nurse to nurse manager. He likes the interaction with patients and their families. “I’m there to support them, not just physically, but spiritually. And I can tell you for sure, that has a huge impact on both peace of mind and recovery.”

Sposito says he learned a lot about commitment from his years in the U.S. Army, where he served as sergeant in the military police. He cites a line he once heard in a war movie and never forgot: When we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off. “That’s the way I feel about the Emergency Department. Things can get tense, but I want to be the glue that holds the team together.”

Thank you, Nurse Manager Sposito. For always leading by example.

 

Want to join the team? Apply at jobs.chsli.org

Read more Living and Working the Mission stories.