Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaunice Neal
Hi Chaunice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Chaunice Neal and I am a middle child who grew up in both Florida and Alabama. Much of my younger years were spent back and forth between these two states. At a young age, I had a lot of responsibility as a caregiver to my brother Tru. He is my older brother by four years and was born with a condition called Spina bifida, a neural tube defect that prevents the spinal cord from developing properly and causing cognitive delays.
In addition to being a caregiver, I was always very active in sports such as bowling, basketball, softball and volleyball up until high school. I enjoyed learning and interacting with different people in different environments while learning about their background and culture. I am sure this contributes to my love for traveling!
I knew early in life that I wanted to be impactful and thought I was going to be a doctor or lawyer because that is what most of us were conditioned to think as the only avenues to success. However, as I went on my own journey through college, I found that pre-medicine was not the path for me and found teaching to be fulfilling so I pursued an education degree from the University of Alabama. After three years of teaching and taking care of my dying grandfather, I decided to pursue a second degree in nursing from Samford University. This pursuit was extremely challenging due to the difficulty of the program and the many responsibilities I had with work, clinicals and taking care of my brother. Not to mention I was the Vice President of the nursing association as well as an ambassador. Needless to say, my plate was always full and still is. I am currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. I have had some exceptional mentors and professors along the way and want to pay-it-forward by positively impacting future nurses entering the profession.
I am a travel nurse, educator and business owner. I specialize in cardiac nursing providing care to patients who have had heart surgery, stents placed or have an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). Nursing is a second career that I pursued after teaching children for three years. I am passionate about teaching others and ironically nursing allows me to utilize that skill consistently. I have many educators on both sides of my family so it is not hard to believe I possess the passion for teaching.
I am known for my ability to connect with people and make them feel seen . I love people and believe that we all have something unique to offer one another. I am the person who will always ask you your name because I want to address you by it. Often times a person who is providing a service for me such as a cashier or maintenance etc. is surprised that I not only want to know their name but I remember it afterwards. I want people to feel special and seen. Unfortunately in today’s society, I believe we have forgotten how to connect in person because we have been so reliant on social media and technology.
I am most proud of my ability to adapt and consistently challenge myself by not settling in my comfort zone. This skillset has allowed me to be a successful travel nurse because I am constantly in new environments and interacting with different types of people while also adjusting to different healthcare systems and settings.
My optimism, enthusiasm, and ability to encourage set me apart from others. I am able to see the good in almost any situation and person. I believe my brother Tru has a lot to do with it. He has always been an inspiration to me because despite what he has gone through you will rarely catch him without a smile on his face. This guy has had 40+ major surgeries and faced much adversity but can still say,
‘I’m great!’ when asked how he is doing or ‘Be perfect’ as encouragement when you are leaving from his presence.
I have been able to take that same optimism and enthusiasm to the bedside when caring for my patients and their families. I often tell people that I care for my patients as if it is my brother which is why I take advocating for my patients and their families seriously during the care process. I understand the many frustrations that can arise while navigating the complexities of the healthcare system.
My service as a nurse is guided by Maya Angelou’s quote “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Some of the struggles along my journey have been establishing my own identity apart from the role I play in my immediate family and fighting the urge to give up. While I am grateful for that role, I have had to find a balance in making sure that I take care of myself first then give and assist from my overflow. It can still be quite a challenge, however, as I grow older and wiser, I am more aware of my limitations and boundaries. This has also been a challenge especially with being a nurse because the profession is centered around considering others and taking care of them which can lead to extreme burnout. Again, I have to be very intentional about taking care of myself and replenishing before I reach depletion. It is quite the balancing act! During my “me time” you can find me at Barnes and Noble, a coffee shop, bowling, playing basketball or listening to live music.
The struggle of wanting to give up comes knocking sometimes but I have to remember why I started and persevere. I credit God and my mother for giving me that extra moxie. My mom is undoubtedly the most successful, hardest-working woman I know in business and in life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tru Vessel Health Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Tru Vessel Health is a community based health education organization. We focus on providing health education to individuals in marginalized communities via seminars, health fairs and workshops. This organization was founded as a result of my experiences and the need for more intentional education beyond the bedside. People were constantly being admitted and readmitted to the hospital for manageable conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These two conditions are very prevalent in black and brown communities that if left unmanaged or untreated lead to other comorbities such as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
Health literacy, patient advocacy, patient engagement, compassion and health equity are the five core values that guide everything Tru Vessel Health (TVH) does within the community. TVH also focuses on the barriers that exist that can hinder people from obtaining their optimal level of health such as safe housing, transportation, income, nutritious food access, air quality and literacy skills. I believe in looking at people holistically and what challenges they face that prevent them from reaching their highest level of health. Often times individuals are having to make tough decisions between affording groceries or their medication. This is a scenario I have witnessed more than I can count at the bedside, especially amongst black and brown patients .TVH not only assists in identifying the challenges but connecting the individual to the proper resources. This is why partnerships are essential to our success in serving the community and helping them thrive.
Brand wise I am most proud of the response and receptiveness TVH has received in the small amount of time it has been in existence. The events, blood pressure drives, informational sessions have been very helpful in confirming what people of the community want and need in addition to others who simply want to be a part of a movement in the healthcare space.
I would like readers to know that TVH is here to assist and guide individuals, families and communities with not only acquiring the health information they need but utilizing it to better collaborate with their healthcare providers and be active participants in their health. This is what TRU empowerment looks like!
TVH is determined to be impactful in marginalized communities and welcomes partnerships and sponsorships that can further meet the needs and serve these communities. This includes but is not limited to local food banks, healthcare systems, physicians’ offices, universities and other community service organizations.
If anyone would like TVH to conduct a seminar, health fair, workshop or you would like to donate please submit form on www.truvesselhealth.org. Also, for any inquiries regarding speaking engagements please email info@truvesselhealth.org.
How do you think about luck?
In terms of luck, I do not believe in luck. I believe in God. He has sustained me in life and in business in both good and bad situations. The idea to even create Tru Vessel Health came from Him
(2 Timothy 2:20-21). I am merely a vessel for Him to utilize my expertise and gifts to serve His people and effect change in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.truvesselhealth.org
- Instagram: truvesselhealth
- Facebook: TruVesselTribe
Image Credits
Smile4Meka
Black & White Photography
