TRS Healthcare’s 2023 Nurse of the Year winner Cynthia Wilson, RN, truly embodies the spirit of the award. Whether at work as a registered nurse or in her personal life, Cynthia never settles. She goes above and beyond in all her endeavors, driven by her compassion and advocacy.
Prior to working as a travel nurse with TRS Healthcare, Cynthia raised her son as a single mom, all while working as an intermediate emergency medical technician (EMT-I). She also spent time working within healthcare facilities around her local area as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) before deciding to go back to nursing school at National American University.
Cynthia put herself through college, became a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and then continued with her nursing education. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019. She even recently began a nurse practitioner master’s degree program at Western Governors University.
In addition to her ongoing pursuit of higher education, Cynthia sells crafts, cares for her cat Muscles, and works as the co-owner of an aesthetics and Botox business for treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, which relate to pain in and around the jaw. “I’m kind of a workaholic,” she jokes.
The self-described Army brat always knew travel would become part of her lifestyle one day. When two travel nurses on assignment at the healthcare facility where she worked as a staff nurse in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) mentioned TRS Healthcare, Cynthia decided she was ready to give the travel nursing career a try. She connected with recruiter Brandon Matticks and started her first contract in 2021.
As a travel nurse, Cynthia does not shy away from challenges—especially when they’re for the good of her patients. “When a patient comes to me, they’re not my patient anymore. They’re my family. I will be an advocate for them, 100%,” she says.
One such example came during a time when Cynthia worked with a patient who was experiencing what was initially believed to be intense gastrointestinal distress. After a couple of days, the patient’s pain was becoming unbearable, and the GI treatments had proven ineffective. An endoscopy had shown some mild inflammation and a small hernia, but nothing that explained extreme pain levels.
Cynthia knew there was a deeper issue, and she knew the patient’s condition would deteriorate quickly if they were discharged and sent home. She advocated on behalf of the patient to the doctor and charge nurse, and the team agreed it was necessary to pursue additional testing.
As it turned out, the patient’s pain was a result of three major coronary artery blockages that would require open-heart surgery. Two days later, the patient had a quadruple bypass. According to the patient’s spouse, Cynthia’s advocacy was lifesaving.
This experience earned Cynthia a DAISY Award nomination, a top recognition through the DAISY Foundation that honors and celebrates nurses who go the extra mile for their patients.
“I’ve enjoyed all my travel assignments,” says Cynthia. “I’ve met so many people who have become family to me.”
She adds that this sentiment extends to her recruiter, Brandon. He’s someone she trusts to advocate for her nursing career the same way she strives to advocate for her patients. “I look at him as my little brother. He always reaches out to check on me and shares many of the same interests as me.”
When Cynthia received the news that she had been nominated her for TRS Healthcare’s inaugural Nurse of the Year award, she was shocked—and even more so when she was named as the 2023 winner.
The first thing Cynthia did was call her dad. “I’ve never doubted you,” she recalls him saying. “You’ve always been a phenomenal nurse. In my eyes, you’re the Nurse of the Year every year.”
Surely, the countless patients whose lives Cynthia has touched would agree. Even on difficult days, she shows up and does her best for the people in her care. “[As a nurse], you walk in the door, wipe your tears, put everything aside, and start your job,” she explains.
Thankfully, Cynthia loves what she does and has plenty of people on her side who support her. “If it wasn’t for my son, my dad, and Brandon believing in me, I don’t think I’d be where I am.”
Whatever is next for Cynthia, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to achieve great things and make an incredible impact wherever she goes.
Congratulations, Cynthia!
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