TIFFANY PARTIN’S heart raced as the sound of the engine faded to silence. She was already on high alert from an ambulance call, and now she raced toward the injured motorcycle rider being wheeled into the hospital. As the gurney drew closer, she felt a surge of adrenaline and inspiration as she prepared for surgery on the unconscious rider. She knew that a new journey, from small-town dreamer to orthopedic trauma healer, was calling out to her. Her desire to make a difference burned brightly within her, and she knew this was the beginning of an exciting journey. Partin felt confident in her abilities and knew that she could change the lives of her patients. This experience only strengthened her resolve to pursue her passion for medicine with enthusiasm and dedication.
This orthopedic trauma nurse practitioner at Saint Thomas Rutherford traded in her childhood dream of becoming a doctor for a path paved with grit, compassion, and the occasional motorcycle mishap.
Partin grew up in Cowan, a town where neighbors are family. Here, she learned the value of community and the importance of giving back, a principle that would become the compass guiding her career. Pre-med initially seemed like the natural fit, but the cutthroat competitiveness left a sour taste in her mouth. It wasn’t the kind of environment where Partin, a self-proclaimed “empath,” could thrive.
It was a “quarter-life crisis” that prompted introspection, steering her toward a different yet equally fulfilling path. Nursing became her calling. This profession resonated with her natural inclination toward caregiving. The fast-paced chaos of the emergency department fit her like a glove. But then came COVID-19, a relentless wave that threatened to drown her in emotional exhaustion. Witnessing the devastation firsthand pushed Partin to reevaluate. Enter orthopedic trauma — a chance to focus on healing, a skill she desperately craved.
She explained, “COVID broke me to the point where caring for patients and having to know how to treat every type of problem became too much. Orthopedic trauma allowed me to still be able to help patients in emergent situations while focusing on what I could do for them from an orthopedic standpoint instead of constantly having to worry about everything.”
The hospital where she was working started a trauma program two years ago. As one of the most experienced nurses, she was selected to be a part of the emergency department (ED) team that worked with the trauma team in all the trauma cases that came into the ED. She had been working in the ED for a long time, and hardly anything was exciting or new. However, working on trauma cases allowed her to learn new high-acuity skills and provided unique cases that opened up an entirely new world of health care to her.
Her path toward success, however, wasn’t a smooth ride. Just as she began nurse practitioner school, she watched her marriage dissolve right before her eyes. The challenges of single motherhood threatened to derail her dreams.
“My husband was starting to struggle with an addiction to alcohol,” she reflected. “I wanted to be able to help him so badly, but I also had a 2-year-old daughter to protect. His addiction continued to spiral where my child and I were no longer safe in the same house.”
The divorce process was lengthy and tedious.
“I worried about my daughter’s safety daily. Dealing with COVID at work, being a full-time grad student, navigating flict divorce, and trying to raise a toddler was all too much to bear at times.”
But Partin, driven by the love for her daughter, her biggest cheerleader, refused to give up. Her parents were always there to reassure her that she had done her best in helping her ex-husband and his continued struggles were not her fault. Whenever Partin couldn’t attend her daughter’s events due to work, her parents were there to cheer her on. They were always available to help her whenever needed, and their constant support kept her going.
Today, Partin passionately serves at Saint Thomas Rutherford. She feels a profound responsibility to this hospital, which nurtured her and now cares for her family. Here, she lives out the values the Cowan community instilled in her as a child, offering a helping hand to those in need.
“This hospital cares not only for my community but the community that raised me. So I feel it is my responsibility to continue to do my part to make this hospital the best it can be,” Partin said.
Partin often recalls a particularly inspiring case involving a young victim of a motorcycle accident. Even while sedated Partin spoke to him, pouring her hope into his recovery. The next day, he woke up, recognizing her voice and ready to fight through his situation. These transformations remind her that sometimes all it takes is being present and offering a little support to another human being.
Partin’s message for aspiring health care professionals is this: “Don’t give up when it gets hard. Keep pushing through challenges like a diamond formed from coal, and shine bright for the world to see.”
She aspires to continue inspiring people, but most importantly, she wants to show her daughter that dreams really do come true.
“I want to be an example to her that dreams are achievable and that she is capable of great things.” GN
