May 13, 2024

Meet Sara Humeny, MS Complementary & Integrative Health `20

My primary employment is as a manager of clinical programs at Hackensack Meridian Health. I run the holistic nurse training programs and have everything to do with holistic nursing in my health system. I am heavily involved with the new nurse residency program which is PTAP accredited.

Why nursing?
I was hit by a car on Nurses Day when I was four years old. I spent 28 days in the hospital and then ten weeks in a full body cast. My nurses left an impression on me I'll never forget! But I also come from a family of nurses. Both my aunt and grandmother were nurses.

Why did you choose Drexel for this program?
The Drexel MS in Complementary & Integrative Health program is unique. I was drawn to the fact that it was a Master of Science (where other programs I looked at were Master of Arts in the specialty). Then as soon as I looked at the class list I couldn't wait to begin and that's how knew the program was for me!

How did faculty and your cohort support your success?
The faculty was so supportive of those of us working full time and going to school. Halfway through the program I was diagnosed with a tumor that required surgery to remove. I was worried how it would affect my ability to continue with the program. Luckily, proactively talking to my professors and understanding that my classes actually would help me get through it (I happened to be taking Mindfulness Meditation that quarter), as well as knowing I had their support for extended deadlines if necessary, during my recovery made all the difference.

What is the current state of nursing? And in the face of its challenges, what advice do you have for a person thinking about nursing as a career?
Nursing is a way of life; it is not just a job. That being said, for nearly 18 years, I've had the ability to carve my own path, and I've never had to "worry" about finding a job. There are so many ways and different areas to practice nursing — you can literally be anything. I was an ICU nurse for over ten years. It was really hard work, but I loved it. The family that I found with my colleagues is something I've never experienced anywhere else.

How do you take care of yourself and destress?
My favorite thing to do is to go the beach and just be out in nature. Whether it's summer or winter, the beach is always my place to return to something bigger than myself. Watching the waves as they rise and fall reminds me to slow my breath. Sometimes I stop at the inlet near my house early in the morning just to watch the sunrise and to take a few moments to myself.