Nurse practitioner Melanie Palma and her daughter Natalie Palma, who is part of Network 53, an intern program through Liberty Public Schools, is spending two days a week at Liberty Hospital Primary Care Shoal Creek in Kansas City observing her mother.
Volunteering as a candy striper at age 13 at Liberty Hospital made such an impact on Melanie Palma that it helped shape her future career in health care. Now, a generation later, her daughter, Natalie, is part of Network 53, an intern program through Liberty Public Schools, that offers her an opportunity to learn more about health care careers at Liberty Hospital.
“My mom has always been my greatest inspiration,” Natalie said. “Watching her care for others with such compassion and dedication has deeply influenced my own desire to follow a similar path.”
Natalie spends two days a week at Liberty Hospital Primary Care Shoal Creek in Kansas City observing her mother, who is a nurse practitioner.
“The unpredictability of family care is what excites me — it’s about adapting to each unique situation and finding ways to help,” Natalie said. “My mom is my role model, and having the opportunity to observe her work up close has been invaluable.”
This experience is meaningful to Melanie, too.
“Advanced practice nursing, with its constant learning and the opportunity to help people in meaningful ways, was exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. “Now watching my daughter show an interest in health care makes me proud, but it also brings a sense of fulfillment knowing that she might want to follow in a path that has been so meaningful in my own life.”
Network 53 grants students an opportunity to explore career interests.
“What excites me most is the hands-on experience,” Natalie said. “This program provides opportunities that are not easily found elsewhere, allowing me to explore what I truly want (or don’t want) to do in the future.
“I’m most excited to observe my mom in her work environment,” she continued. “Although she’s my mom, I see a different side of her when she’s at work — she becomes completely focused on her patients and their needs. This experience is helping me to better understand what I enjoy and where my interests lie, something I wouldn’t have fully understood without this program.”Melanie said juggling work and motherhood is challenging, but the keys are prioritizing and flexibility.
“When I’m at work, I focus on my tasks fully, and when I’m at home, I try to switch off from work as much as possible and engage in quality time with my family. Carving out time for self-care, even if it’s just a few minutes to take a walk, helps me recharge.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is not to be too hard on myself,” she added. “There are going to be days when things feel chaotic, but that’s part of the journey. The key is to stay adaptable and give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned.”
Melanie knows a career in healthcare will have its challenges ahead for her daughter. “It’s such a meaningful and impactful field, and I want her to know that while it’s rewarding, it’s also challenging at times,” she said. “If she does decide to pursue it, I’ll support her every step of the way. I want her to know that it’s okay to face setbacks and challenges, and that she should trust in her passion for helping others. Ultimately, I just want her to find a career that fulfills her, and if healthcare is where that happens, I’ll be incredibly proud.”
To learn more about careers at Liberty Hospital, go to libertyhospital.org/careers. To learn more about Network53, visit realworldlearning.lps53.org/programs/networ-53.