For more than a year, Jan Derek Hernandez has been a critical member of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s intensive care unit team, Rapid Response Team, and Sepsis team during one of the most challenging times in recent healthcare history – the COVID-19 pandemic.
He had worked for a few years as a cardiology registered nurse and nurse practitioner but came to MSK because he wanted to provide more in-depth care for some of the most vulnerable patients – those who are critically ill and battling cancer.
“MSK presented me with challenges such as rapid response and managing critically ill patients,” Jan said. “I wanted to learn the management and treatment of various oncological etiologies and emergencies.”
While he was excited about the opportunity, it came with some unexpected hurdles as he started the new position in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We were at the height of Covid in March 2020 [when I started], and all I could be was a supporting cast member,” Jan said. “It was difficult adjusting to remote learning. We couldn’t do didactic and hands-on training for vents and line placements right away. As a learning bridge, rounding with the ICU attendings was extremely helpful in understanding ICU interventions.”
Role Models
Jan was born and raised in the Bronx, and both of his parents were nurses. Hearing about their work sparked an interest in a career in medicine.
Following his parents’ footsteps, Jan became a nurse but wanted to pursue additional training to step into other roles.
“I started in cardiothoracic surgery as a bedside ICU nurse and earned my NP degree. This led me to be an NP in Cardiac Surgery Stepdown,” he said. “What led me to MSK was the challenge of oncology and oncologic emergencies. I always wanted to return to the ICU.”
Making a Difference at MSK
Jan enjoys the comradery between the attendings, nursing, and the APPs – and the pace of work in the ICU.
“I love the ICU’s work ethic and aggressiveness of care, and to come back to it as an APP was worth the experience,” he said. “What makes the APP ICU department special to me is how we manage our patients as a team, and we lean on each other to improve patient outcomes.”
Jan also loves that at MSK that there are learning opportunities for employees to improve their skills and expertise -- whether through training, mentorship, or hands-on learning.
His proudest moment so far has been the experience of serving as “code leader” and running “a smooth, efficient, and effective code.” A code leader takes charge of a response team managing a “code” or situation when a patient requires immediate and emergent intervention. The leader must assign tasks, effectively communicate critical information to everyone involved, make quick decisions, and direct resuscitation and other efforts.
“There is no greater feeling than finishing a code situation knowing that your hard work and expertise has saved someone’s life,” he said.
Career Advice
For others considering a job at MSK as an Advanced Practice Provider, Jan says self-awareness is key to effectively working on a highly collaborative team in high-pressure and high-stakes situations.
“You must know yourself, your limitations, and overall goals before becoming an APP,” he said. “This will help with transitioning into challenging environments.”
Regardless of your career and life aspirations, Jan says anything is possible if you pursue your career with perseverance and passion.
“Be poised and have a ‘never give up attitude in the face of adversity.”