Embracing challenge and motivating others

If you glance at Eileen Sherburne's resume, you'll see some impressive credentials: MSN, APN, FNP. What's even more impressive is the woman behind the letters, a professional whose passion for health care is changing lives every day.

Sherburne, an advanced practice nurse and family nurse practitioner, joined Children's Hospital of Wisconsin 18 years ago. She had her sights set on nursing since second grade. "I guess I always knew I wanted to be a nurse," she recalled. "I like building relationships with kids and their families." 

Sherburne followed her dream. She earned a bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Yale University and a family nurse practitioner certificate from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, her hometown.

Today, Sherburne works on the 5 West inpatient unit, where she primarily deals with traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation. She also works with surgery and orthopedics as an advanced practice nurse. She maintains the quality of nursing practice on the unit in collaboration with its leadership team. 

"I've always been interested in the brain," she explained. "It's very powerful to realize that what you do today can impact a child's recovery in the long run. We deal with terrible tragedy every day – shaken babies, kids in car accidents – but I know that they can get better. I'm a skeptic by nature but I've come to believe in miracles."

Sherburne works with patients of all ages, from infants to young adults. The most challenging part of her job, she said, is helping people understand the ins and outs of brain-injury recovery. "It can be a slow process, and the outcome may be different than families expect. But I know that things can and do work out over time."

It's important, she said, to be sensitive to a patient's needs and recognize that even the smallest actions can have big rewards.

Working for a large organization like Children's Hospital and Health System is exciting and fulfilling, according to Sherburne. "I really enjoy the camaraderie here and all the action. Children's offers incredible career opportunities. I think you can do just about anything if you're willing to learn and do the work. When you're here, there's an overwhelming sense of dedication and a belief that we can help. It feels good."

Not surprisingly, Sherburne's leisure pursuits reflect her professional interests. As a Special Olympics coach, she volunteers from spring through summer training runners for local, national and international competition. "I've learned a lot from working with my Special Olympics athletes," she said. "I push them really hard, and they stick with it. Some of them have problems with the most common, everyday stuff, but they can focus and achieve amazing things when they compete. Their parents are blown away."

Sherburne herself is a triathlete, having completed 10 Ironman distance races, and has competed around the world. When she's not actively training, she's making plans for an upcoming trip to Haiti where she will serve as a rehab volunteer.

And when she's not making travel plans, she might be out with her favorite companion, a yellow lab named Flora Louise. Flora is a rescue dog who loves to run, Sherburne said, but she's a bit of a challenge when it comes to training.

No problem. Sherburne's always up for a challenge.