When a mission to serve sparks curiosity that soars to new heights in nursing at Northwell

Renne Rodriguez, nurse practitioner (NP) at Syosset Hospital, reflects on the moments that made the greatest impact on his career journey. “Since I started here 20 years ago, Northwell has helped me grow professionally and academically. I’ve grown through–tuition reimbursement, mentorship programs, leadership and nursing courses at the Center for Learning & Innovation (CLI). Plus, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best healthcare professionals and mentors I’ve ever known,” shared Renne.

Before he began his career in healthcare, Renne knew little about nursing other than what he encountered in a hospital when he was young. His start in healthcare happened when he was offered the surgical technologist field position upon recruitment into the U.S. Air Force. He knew nothing about the position but was eager to learn. Renne served for four years as a senior airman training as a surgical technologist at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX and then at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. In this role, he assisted in the care of setting up the operating room before surgery and passing/counting instruments, sponges, dressings, etc. during surgery. His training and experience included procedures such as ears, nose and throat (ENT), plastic, general, trauma, orthopedics and neurosurgery. One day Renne scrubbed in on an open-heart procedure and noticed the person who was harvesting the vessels from the patient’s lower extremity. Renne recalled, “I thought he was a doctor and was amazed to learn he was a registered nurse first assistant (RNFA).” In that moment, he had a new appreciation for nursing which sparked a curiosity and passion that would lead him to discover the many different fields nurses can pursue.

Renne joined Northwell in 2004 as a surgical technologist, leveraging the skills and training he received in the military to jumpstart his civilian career. Through encouragement and support from his managers, he applied for Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program to first obtain his

Renne joined Northwell in 2004 as a surgical technologist, leveraging the skills and training he received in the military to jumpstart his civilian career. Through encouragement and support from his managers, he applied for Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program to first obtain his associate’s degree in nursing (ASN), then again to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). After working at Plainview Hospital for over a decade, Renne had built such a positive and trusting relationship with his managers, that he was presented with an opportunity to join the perioperative leadership team at Plainview Hospital as the orthopedic nurse manager in 2013. After four years in this role, this led him to pursue another nurse manager role within several perioperative units at Syosset Hospital in 2017. In the years that followed, Renne was able to continue leveraging tuition assistance from Northwell to earn his master’s degree in nursing to become a nursing first assistant and family nurse practitioner.

Today, as an NP within the surgical oncology service line at Syosset Hospital, Renne directs daily operations for a two-room operating suite within the ophthalmology surgical unit. His responsibilities include developing and implementing operational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all regulatory and professional standards of care.  Renne also partners with physicians, nurse managers and clinical staff to design strategic plans to meet patient care needs. Other responsibilities include securing all necessary equipment, implants, and instruments for upcoming surgical procedures, conducting surgical room inspections prior to surgery, and coordinating all phases of post-operative patient care to ensure all patient needs are met.

The U.S. Air Force’s core values are integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. “My time in the service gave me the opportunity to appreciate team building. Now working alongside a group of dedicated, proud team members at Northwell who also believe in these core values means so much to me,” shared Renne.

“Whatever the job function you served as in the military, I can guarantee that Northwell has a place for you. There is opportunity to grow within Northwell and be exposed to great people, technology, services and communities.” – Renne Rodriguez

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