Meet Jackie Orona | Registered Nurse & Aesthetic Nurse Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jackie Orona and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jackie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe my success is the result of a multitude of factors, so it’s challenging to choose just one! Passion, discipline, motivation and dedication to my career and goals are definitely the driving forces. I am a firm believer that you can appear successful on the exterior, but if you lack the passion and happiness on the inside, you are not truly successful. My passion for my career is an essential ingredient in my recipe for success. As a young professional, self-discipline is perhaps one of the hardest factors to achieve, but one of the most critical. Discipline, not only in my professional life but in my social life, has pushed my career to new levels. By remaining focused on my end goal, over time discipline has become a normal part of my routine. Every day I wake up and set intentions to keep myself motivated.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As an Arizona native with a love of our state, it was an easy decision to remain here and pursue my degree in nursing at Arizona State University. At 22 years old, I graduated from ASU Magna Cum Laude Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During my time at ASU, my path in the aesthetic industry blossomed. I landed an incredible internship at a top plastic surgeon’s office assisting some of the best Aesthetic Nurse Specialists in town. I was determined to build a career in aesthetic nursing. My boss at the time insisted I gain experience working in a hospital to gather essential skills as a nurse, prior to becoming an injector. Motivated to build the necessary skills, I have been working as a critical care nurse in a Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit for over two years, where I have developed not only essential nursing skills, but life skills too. I currently work full-time on the weekends in the ICU on night shift and part-time during the week as an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, providing clients with all the latest anti-aging, beauty-enhancing procedures in sunny Scottsdale. Like most of us, I have absolutely had my share of challenges and failures. If you push yourself to excel and take risks, it is inevitable. Surprisingly, one of the challenges I have faced is my age. Many patients or clients will automatically assume I am inexperienced and lack knowledge to provide care for them because I appear younger than my age. Despite being 24 years old, I am experienced and knowledgeable in my profession. One thing that sets me apart from others in my career specialties is I regularly participate in additional education that is not required of my jobs. I do not do anything less that 100%, and to me that entails continuing to advance my knowledge and skillset to provide the safest, best care to my patients. When faced with this skepticism, I educate my patients on my background and educational merits, which led me to where I am today. What I love most about my career is that there is so much room for growth and expansion. I have the ability to do a multitude of things I am passionate about. To continue on my growth path, I am planning to start next year on my doctorate and become a family nurse practitioner. With this degree, I hope to expand my business as an aesthetic nurse specialist, and one day open my own medical center focusing on aesthetics.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first stop on my itinerary would be to kick start the day early with a hike up Camelback Mountain to catch the sunrise. After working up an appetite, my go-to breakfast joint is Luci’s at the Orchard. Their Funky Monkey French Toast is incredible. Supporting local is a huge part of the Phoenix community, so I would introduce my guest to Vida Moulin, a unique curated boutique in the heart of North Central Phoenix. Here you can find all things home décor or an outfit for a night out on the town. After a busy morning exploring Phoenix, Joya Spa at Omni Montelucia is one of the best spa experiences in the Valley. For happy hour drinks, Toca Madera or Canal Club at the Scott Resort are some of my favorites. For dinner, Francine’s, a French-inspired restaurant, is a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

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