VCU Health has a rich history of working with our nation’s veterans. But did you know many of our Pauley Heart Center teammates come from military backgrounds?

Natalie Rice, RN, Cardiovascular Procedure Care Unit, joined VCU Health five years ago. Before becoming a star on the nursing floor, Natalie was repairing electronics equipment on a Navy aircraft carrier.

"I was an electronics technician," Natalie says in a recent interview. "Responsible for repairing circuit cards used for radar, communications equipment and weapons systems."

Natalie served in the Navy for five years, then took some time off to be with her family. After, she used her GI Bill benefits to earn her associate’s degree and eventually her bachelor of science in nursing. For her bachelor of science in nursing, Natalie chose VCU’s School of Nursing due to "the reputation that VCU Health has for their excellence in healthcare."

As a nurse in Pauley’s Cardiovascular Procedure Care Unit, Natalie’s time is divided between preparing patients for cardiovascular procedures and patients who are recovering from those procedures.

"The responsibilities for the pre-procedure area, involves getting patients ready for cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology procedures." Natalie shares, "When we are finished getting patients ready, we help patients recover and make patient phone calls to remind them of upcoming appointments, review instructions and set up COVID testing."

In recent years, Natalie and the rest of our nursing team here at VCU Health have overcome many challenges as part of the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. For Natalie, the Navy was an excellent preparation for these challenges. “In the Navy, I learned the phrase ‘One team, one fight.’ Although many people may have different jobs to do, we have a common mission. And it takes everyone to accomplish that mission. The same holds true in healthcare.”

When asked to give advice to future healthcare workers, Natalie smiles. "This field is challenging and some days you may want to give up and quit. It is okay to feel that way. But don’t quit! Alongside the bad days are the days that remind you why you wanted to pursue healthcare, and that’s when you know you’re in the right place doing exactly what you are meant to do."

Natalie credits the Navy with teaching her "to live up to the core values of honor, courage and commitment." For her, those core values are just as important in her career as they were during her service. For anyone considering serving in the military as part of their path to entering the healthcare field, Natalie says "I would recommend military service to anyone!"

When asked whether she’d serve again, Natalie gives another smile. "I’ve recently been considering returning to the Navy through the Nurse Corps as a reservist."