Transfer Professor Profile: Lisa Palumbo

Lisa Palumbo's Headshot

From Corporate to Classroom: My Journey Back to CCC

Joining CCC: Overcoming Apprehensions and Rediscovering Passion in Nursing
I graduated from CCC in May, 2016 and began working as a trauma nurse in July. I had never really thought about teaching at that time as I was passionate about helping patients and making a difference. I have always had a goal of doing something within the science field but never did I realize that I would be saving lives.

I started my career working for a fortune 500 company in the Life Sciences division and contributing to the human genome project. I had the most amazing experience working with many different scientists in the lab and creating yeast and cancer arrays for pharmaceutical companies to use in cancer research. I was in charge of marketing these products and have been fortunate to travel the world going to trade shows and conferences with the science community. Unfortunately because of the economy and the cost of the equipment, that project was stopped and our group was disbanded. I transferred over to the environmental group and began working in improving air quality. Again, very fortunate to work with amazing people all over the world, even in the political arena, with going to conferences in Washington DC and taking part in round table discussions with government officials to improve air quality. Although my work was rewarding, I did not feel like I was making a difference, and got lost in the corporate world. It became frustrating and as a market analyst I felt like I was crunching numbers day in and day out trying to get the right combination to please the division. In 2013 the economy took a dive and layoffs began. My group was again affected and I found myself, after 20 years of working in the corporate world, without a job. I had to take a step back and find myself again. I asked myself the hard questions of “what do I want” and “what do I need” to feel like I am making a difference. During that time my husband and I were sitting in church and our pastor passed out while giving his sermon. I went to stand up to help and realized that I didn’t know what to do. I know it is very cliche, but it was at that moment that I decided to go to nursing school.

I went to CCC and started in January 2014 with my prerequisites and in the nursing program in August 2014. I was apprehensive because it had been 30 years since I went to college. I have a Bachelor’s degree in marketing management from SUNY Brockport in 1989. I was always pretty good at school, so I graduated top of my class and was the president of the nursing class of 2016. As a nurse I began to feel more comfortable after about a year. I became a preceptor for new graduate nurses and students and really loved the transfer of knowledge. I also took on charge nurse roles during that time so I was able to have a well rounded experience. New York State requires all nurses to have a Bachelor’s degree within 10 years so after the first year I decided it was time to go back and look into school again. I did not want to pay for another Bachelor’s degree, because I already had one, so I found a bridge program that enabled me to take only 1 year of essential nursing bachelor level courses and then 2 years of master's level nursing courses. I graduated with my Master’s degree in education because I really loved helping students and I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to share knowledge. For my Capstone project I needed to find a preceptor so I thought of a former clinical instructor I had at CCC. I contacted her and she agreed to precept me for my capstone project. My project was “does high acuity simulation increase the critical thinking skills of nursing students”. I was introduced to the faculty at CCC, many of whom were new since I graduated. I instantly bonded with them and we shared ideas on the growth of simulation in nursing. I was offered a part time job with CCC working in simulation and skills. I wasn’t ready to leave my nursing job full time, so I accepted CCC’s part time position and made it work with my full time job. The more I learned about teaching, the more I felt like I could make a difference in a different way. I left my ER nursing position full time and went to per diem so I could pursue a full time position at CCC. I began my teaching career in August of 2022.

Evolving Visions: Career and Life Goals Over Time
When I began my nursing career my goals were different than when I first started my career fresh out of college. I wanted to feel like at the end of the day, I made a difference for my patients and their families. I had two grown children at that time, one in college, and one just out of college and starting her career. I wanted them to see that if you work hard, and follow your path then you can achieve anything.

The Leap from CCC: How the Experience Shaped My Future Learning
My situation was a little different. I had already had a bachelor’s degree when I went back to get my nursing degree at CCC. I already knew how to study, and what works and didn’t work for me as a student. I did not transfer to another school, I researched the program that would fit my learning style.

Coming Full Circle: Returning to CCC
CCC had a good reputation for their nursing program, and it was convenient for me. It was also financially affordable. I had two kids in college when I first went back to school so my husband was trying to keep us afloat and I took on 3 part time jobs during school to help pay for groceries, gas, etc. It was hard financially, as we had to sell our home and downsize to make it work for a few years. At first I was devastated and felt like my whole world was crashing down, but then I took a step back and realized that everything happens for a reason. I followed my new path and have never looked back.

The Rewards of Resilience: Reflections on the Journey
This nursing program changed my life, and I can now say that going through those hard times made me into the person I am today. This profession is hard, yet rewarding. I now get to make a difference in not only the patients I care for in the ED, but the students who I get to help along the way in their own learning journey. It is such a rewarding experience when a student comes up and hugs me and says “thank you, you believed in me when no one else did.” That is the most rewarding part of teaching. My mother, who was a teacher for 40 years, always told me that she thought I would be the one child to take after her. I always said “it's not for me mom”. I guess I should have listened to her to begin with. At 96 years of age, she has told me she always knew I would teach in some capacity and she is so proud of me. It never gets old to hear that even when you are a grown adult. I tell my students to follow their path, because every path is different. I just feel blessed to be a part of their journey.