Aris Eliades mentored Phyllis for her research project.
Some things get better with time and for retired Akron Childrens Hospital nurse Phyllis Mesko, her career is one of them.
In 1965 the 2 most sought after careers for a woman were teaching and nursing, said Phyllis Mesko, RN, CPN. During study hall my sophomore year of high school I was caught visiting with my best friend. As punishment, the monitor grabbed a book off the shelf and told me to write a report on it. The book, Sue Barton, Student Nurse, was filled with adventures in nursing. I became immersed in her exciting life and was convinced I wanted to become a nurse, too.
Phyllis graduated from nursing school in 1970.
Phyllis graduated from Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing, completed her board exams and, in 1970, set off on her own adventure in nursing at Akron Childrens Hospital.
Eight years into her career, Phyllis boyfriend, John, returned from the Vietnam War. They got married and had 3 children together. She switched from full time to part time and changed patient care units several times. It wasnt quite like the adventures she had read about.
I wasnt advancing my career at this point, said Phyllis. Caring for my family was a priority and, thankfully, nursing allowed me to be a mother, have a sense of self worth, make money and have adult friendships in and outside of work.
When Phyllis had a chance to move to the recovery room, she jumped at it.
I was working with surgical patients, which I enjoyed very much, she said. I loved my unit and staff. I loved caring for my patients I laughed and cried with them. I felt I belonged here.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Now that she’s retired, Phyllis has more time to spend with her grandchildren.
The days and years seemed to fly by. But her son, Mark, who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as a school-aged child, was still struggling with communication.
As a result, Phyllis stayed busy implementing behavior plans and working on picture communication tools to help him.
When Mark was first diagnosed, Phyllis carried a Polaroid camera around with her and took pictures of things that represented eat, drink and everything else. Her son was then able to communicate by pointing to the photographs.
I started bringing in my social stories, which were comprised of pictures, and sharing them with my patients and peers to get their feedback…it was always positive, said Phyllis. I had no idea these picture communication tools would not only help Mark, but also go on to help me in my career.
Nurse scholar program a win for Phyllis and patients
Her grand adventure in nursing was taking shape.
In 2009, Phylllis was given the chance to pursue her passion in the use of picture communication for children with communication barriers. She was chosen to be part of Akron Childrens nurse scholar program, which prepared nurses to participate in the research process and translate study results into practice.
Being given the opportunity to conduct a research project on the use of picture communication tools to identify pain location was unbelievable, said Phyllis. It energized me.
Phyllis presents on pain communication tool in Dublin.
Aris Beoglos Eliades, PhD, RN, CNS, associate director of Akron Children’s Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute and director of nursing research, became Phyllis mentor.
The endeavor helped me gain confidence in myself, increase my expertise in the nursing field and recognize the level of support our staff and hospital have for nursing research, Phyllis said.
Phyllis advanced to C.A.R.E. Ladder V, the highest level of achievement offered for nursing career advancement at Akron Childrens. She presented both oral and poster presentations about her research at national and international conferences.
Her research teams article was selected for publication in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing (JOPAN). It also received the 2012 Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award, garnering a second place finish in the field of research.
In 2011, Phyllis was nominated for the National Magnet Nurse of the Year Award and was voted Ohio March of Dimes Nurse of the Year in the field of pediatrics in 2014.
Phyllis retired as a staff nurse in Akron Children’s post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in 2015, but her nursing adventure isnt over. You can still find her in the hospital working as a PRN (as needed) nurse and working with children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers.