Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Smith.
Hi Candace, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have always exercised an entrepreneurial spirit ever since I was a top seller in all the school fundraisers, also while, selling snacks to my starving classmates. After graduation from the University of Tennessee Martin, my plans were changed from attending grad school to beginning a career with Methodist Lebonheur as a Rehab Tech. I transitioned to Lebonheur ER after obtaining licensure as an EMT and finally advancing as a nurse by way of Lowenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis. I have served a total of 12 years at Methodist and plan to remain at my current facility Methodist South in the ER.
I have been in nursing for 5 years and have endured the stress of surviving the pandemic. I joined the mass travel pool party of nurses and have been able to contract in Honolulu and New Orleans, just two of my fave assignments.
However, I wanted to regain something more for myself as a hobby and business. I love ER nursing and running codes, so I combined those experiences and birthed The CPRN. I specialize in certified healthcare professionals and beginners or experienced clients in American Heart Association Basic Life Support, better known as CPR. I also hold community health events, mentor nurses, regardless of tenure, and teach NCLEX prep and iv therapy techniques.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The clients have been awesome, supportive, and so encouraging. I enjoy teaching a variety of personalities and skill levels. The hardest part is actually learning how to do business and being your own boss. I have a notepad of organized scratch paper plans and am still learning how to execute them.
I work the night shift so I am sleeping while most of the world is active, so I have to connect a lot with my clients and potential audience via social media. I am grateful that it has been smooth, but I continue to plan for an even more tailored experienced for myself and my clients.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My specialty is certifying clients in CPR, but I offer other services like community health education/events, NCLEX prep, IV therapy technique, and mentorship. I am known, simply just by my catchy name that really explains a sense of who I am, what I love, and what I do. It’s literally CPR and RN combined. That’s my favorite part of emergency nursing, running a code. I just took my experiences as a nursing student, EMT, RN, and professional and created a fun and safe space to learn.
Learning should never be intimidating, but interactive and customized. My personality along with just naturally being able to teach sets me apart. Everyone isn’t proficient enough to teach, no matter how many degrees or hours they have, and those that have it can’t hide it. Most of my friends and classmates prior me to developing The CPRN verified that I was more than capable of teaching, due to how I have taught and mentored them.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Business is definitely risky. You mostly rely on consumers to make your business successful. We’re post-pandemic, but still fighting the economy and healthcare structure. So once you’re ahead, you have to maintain staying ahead and prepared.
Most people have a career and business for more income. That’s at least 8 hours of working for someone else, saving that income to invest in yourself, awaiting the day that will be your only job, but what if that rocket never takes off and that ship never sails? Do you not take the risk? No, you shoot your shot and keep practicing if you miss. Instead of calling it a failure, I like to say most unsuccessful completions are surrounded by the attempts we don’t take.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heartthecprn.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/heartthecprn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: tiktok.com/@heartthecprn
