Benji Cole of CBS Radio interviews Pilar De La Cruz Samoulian, the author of “But I Want to Be a Nurse”
Pilar De La Cruz Samoulian, a registered nurse and author of “But I Want to Be a Nurse”, is interviewed by CBS Radio’s Benji Cole. Finding out more about the author of this book packed with wisdom and expertise is covered in the interview.
Pilar De La Cruz Samoulian, MSN, RN, has been a registered nurse since 1968. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in nursing from California State University, Dominguez Hills through the Statewide Nursing Program. She began her professional career as an RN at Fresno Community Hospital in 1969. She moved quickly up the administrative ladder, serving as a nursing supervisor and manager of the critical care units and emergency room. In addition, she became a Vice-President overseeing the long-term care facilities of the corporation, including the DeWitt Subacute Unit and the education department.
In 2003, she was appointed Chief Nurse Executive of the newly opened Fresno Heart Hospital and retired from the hospital environment in 2006.
In 2015, she was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr. to serve on the California Board of Registered Nursing for a 4-year term. She has been recognized for her dedication to healthcare and has been the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards. She is the author of the book, “But I Want to be a Nurse”.
For a young minority girl, daydreaming is a tool used to escape the present and look forward to the future. The words, “Someday, I will have a good job, a nice fancy house, and a reliable car”, are what keep you going. Learning to overcome obstacles and not listening to people who tell you that you cannot reach your goal takes determination, persistence, and even stubbornness.
“But I Want to Be a Nurse” shares the story of a young Mexican girl who refused to let anyone talk her out of her dream of becoming a registered nurse. Her ability to overcome many barriers along her journey is an inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve a goal despite the doubters. A true story of grit, passion, hard work, and fearlessness leading to true success.
Listen to the full interview below: