Honoring our members: Etzany Diaz Ocampo, RN, BSN
Honoring Etzany Diaz Ocampo, RN, BSN
This month’s honored NAHN Denver member is Etzany (Etzy) Diaz Ocampo, who recently was awarded the “Rising Star Award” from the University of Colorado’s Alumni Association. Etzany came to the US with her parents when she was 1 and ½ years old. She went to school in the Jeffco Public School system. As the oldest child of three, Etzy had to learn to lead from a young age. She knows of the hardships of having to find your own resources and help when struggling in school and appreciates the value of mentors. Life as an undocumented immigrant can be very discouraging but Etzy persevered through life’s challenges, and when DACA was passed she seized her rightful American dream. Thanks to her parents, Deanay and Jaime she enrolled in nursing school and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in 2018. Etzy took a position at University of Colorado Hospital as a New Grad. I have known her since that time as I was lucky enough to be one of her preceptors. Etzy has a passion for Oncology and our patient population. She is an inspiration to anyone who has a dream, and to anyone who faces challenges. Etzy manages to do it all, being a mom to two adorable babies a wife to her husband David, a daughter, an incredible sister a friend and an amazing oncology nurse. Please listen to Hannah Harman’s (RN, BSN) nomination and read Etzy’s speech below.
Etzy: you are a true inspiration.
Nomination by Hannah Harman, RN, BSN:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zNdhNDTr2qap9WzqZ_6nVnF5-J8y-Pqj/view?ts=60cc15ff
Etzy’s Acceptance Speech:
Thank you! This is for you Deaney, my little sister. My calling to nursing began in August of 2006, when I heard you were being transferred to the Children’s Hospital because you had been diagnosed with cancer. The doctor had found a chordoma between your throat and your brain to be exact. For the next two years, as I walked to your hospital room every day, I observed how the nursing staff would not only care for you, but for us the whole family with compassion and love. I witnessed their extraordinary empathy and patience as they cared for you during your worst days, trying to ease your pain. After your biggest surgery, at home, I had to learn how to set up your tube feeds and care for your trachea and G-tube. One day, you stopped me, grabbed my hand, and with your beautiful smile said, “I know you will be an amazing oncology nurse!”. So, my journey began. I expected you to be through the end of it, but God needed you in Heaven, and even though I questioned and disagreed with His decision at that time, I now know and understand why. You were and continue to be my rock and my strength in my nursing career. Although you were 3 years younger than me, it still amazes me how mature you were, and I hope I’m making you proud each day I show up to make a difference in all of my patients, especially for those that speak Spanish!
I knew the journey wouldn’t be easy. As a dreamer, I didn’t have the privilege of having financial aid during college, because I was born in Mexico and moved here when I was 1 and a half. My parents, who I always say are the original dreamers, always pushed me to do my best in school, when I told them I wanted to be a nurse they supported me 100%, even if that meant they would have to work extra to help me pay for college. I can’t thank them enough for the way they raised me, because not being able to speak English, they still managed to give my sisters and I an education.
As a senior in high school, I knew that getting my nursing license was nearly impossible in this country because of the lack of legal status. I had made my decision to go back to Mexico and pursue my nursing career there, leaving my lifelong dream of one day becoming an oncology nurse at Children’s Hospital behind, but my high school counselor advised me to stay saying “anything is possible, anything can change in the next coming years, who knows, maybe the government will pass the DREAMact and you can become a nurse”. When president Obama announced the Deffered Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA relief program, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to this program, I was able to apply to the integrated nursing pathway program at the Community College of Aurora and CU College of Nursing. Thanks to this program I was able to graduate with my BSN, and make my dream come true as an oncology nurse. Every two years I still fear that this program will come to an end, ending my dream, so I give my heart and soul to be the nurse my sister wanted me to be.
My mother became my free baby sitter. My father became my moral and financial support. Without them I wouldn’t be here. My youngest sister became my other drive, being the oldest, I wanted to set an example for her. I want to thank my wonderful husband and children for motivating me each day. Thank you Lord for giving me the knowledge, the patience and empathy that characterize me. To all my special patients who’ve touched my heart and who remind me of why I became a nurse. I want to thank my amazing CU College of Nursing instructors, like Ms. Nino, Tammy Spencer, Dr. Conolly, Kathy Foss, and Sue Bonini for teaching me all I know about nursing. I also want to thank my extraordinary preceptors from the University of Colorado hospital, Renee, Vale, Kacey, Angie and Hannah. I know I have much to learn, but with continued support and encouragement from people like them and you, I know I can accomplish much more goals. Hannah, I will forever remember this recognition, I appreciate all you have done to help me in my professional growth. You have served as a great role model. And thank you CU College of Nursing Alumni Association for awarding me the rising star award.
