NURSE STACY PLUMLEY
Stacy Plumley was born and raised in Wisconsin with a short stint to the west coast to prove just how important her friends and family are and solidify her love of a good adventure. Stacy graduated from Alverno College in 2009 and began a career as a nurse in the emergency department.
What are you most proud of? "While I have worked in varied departments over my 11 year career, what remains constant is what an honor it is to be a small piece of an intimate moment of a person’s life. I do not take for granted that my profession allows me to see people at their most vulnerable--I take pride in getting them through the painful elements that can accompany western medicine and always celebrate the tiniest victories. I’ve witnessed snippets of people’s lives and been on the sidelines for births, deaths, physical triumphs, and pep talks before a procedure. Being a nurse keeps me humbled in my own health struggles and reminds me there is a whole lot of beauty in the world even amongst pain and I, especially, need this reminder everyday."
Is there something new that you've started doing over the past months, during quarantine? "Reaching beyond my comfort zone of western medicine and doing a deep dive into traditional and integrative medicine to move towards healing my own body has been a huge portion of my everyday these past 8 months--it has expanded my mind, my palate and forced me to begin changing multiple areas in my life. It is a privilege to be able to have the money and ability to pursue these alternative approaches to health. I am figuring out how I can use that privilege to facilitate better, well rounded healthcare to all. I have also been prioritizing spending more money at small businesses and making steps towards a no-waste household.
On a less serious note, I have been seeing my friend and her two young children when safe and if you've never given a peanut butter cracker to a one-year old for the very first time, you're missing out on maybe one of the most joyful moments in life."
What’s the first thing you think about when you wake up? "I think about where to walk with my dog today. We walk every morning: snow, rain, sleet, nor gloom can stop us, just like the USPS."
What’s your favorite thing about (or place in) Milwaukee? "The people in this city are incredible. Within my small community of friends alone there are countless small business owners that are out there everyday hustling and bringing so much creativity while simultaneously working for change and giving back in ways I have been unable to due to my own health challenges during this pandemic."
Who do you think needs advice and what would you like to tell them? "Everyone needs reminders: be excellent to yourself and each other, drink more water, seek answers without assuming, be a goof, enjoy the small things in life (hey maybe a peanut butter cracker?), and wear a mask please."
Find Stacy on Instagram @totallypumped
