Antoinette Fitzgerald
One year ago, Antoinette Fitzgerald made history as the first associate nursing degree candidate to graduate from Akron Children’s Career Launch program. Today, she reflects on her journey and the strides she’s made since joining the team at Akron Children’s, Boardman.
In her current role as a Boardman float nurse, Antoinette enjoys the dynamic nature of her job. “I call in before every scheduled shift to find out my assignment,” she explained. “I could be going to the Boardman special care nursery or pediatric floor, St. Elizabeth’s NICU, St. Joe’s special care nursery, or a sitter in the Boardman ER.”
Antoinette said working in a variety of settings helps keep her engaged and continuously learning.
Antoinette works as a float nurse at Akron Children’s, Boardman. She recently graduated from the hospital’s Nurse Residency Program, which she describes as a vital part of her development as a nurse.
“It helps me to be more well-rounded in my interactions with the families,” she said. “To have a family member recognize you and thank you for your interaction with their child is a great feeling. It’s nice to be appreciated, but in all actuality, it’s just me being me.”
Antoinette recently graduated from the hospital’s Nurse Residency Program, which she describes as a vital part of her development. “The Nurse Residency Program was incredibly helpful. They place you in a group of peers who are experiencing the same challenges. It provides a space to talk about daily issues and how to manage them,” she said. “It was like planting a garden—starting off as bare soil, and as time went on, we saw growth little by little each day.”
Antoinette said the Nurse Residency Program provided her with mentors and preceptors who were crucial to her success during her transition from student to nurse during this past year. In 2025, she plans to return to school with the help of Akron Children’s educational assistance program to pursue her BSN.
The program provided her with mentorship that was crucial during her transition from student to nurse. “Having preceptors and mentors was incredibly helpful,” she said. “They provided a sense of security and were always there if I needed them. They encouraged, motivated and helped me focus on prioritizing and time management—skills I’m continually striving to improve.”
Throughout residency, Antoinette and her cohort participated in a variety of educational opportunities. “We covered topics like patient safety, communication, shock, sepsis and seizures,” she explained. “We went to classes every other month, and the next month we applied that knowledge in hands-on simulations. It pushed us out of our comfort zones and taught us how to work both as a team and as individuals.”
Antoinette is intentional with finding a balance between work and family. She often works consecutive days in order to maximize her time off with her kids and family. She’s pictured here with her mom and kids, Xavier and Brooklyn.
One memorable aspect of the program was when participants shared impactful experiences from their first year. “It was a chance to recognize the nurses and coworkers who guided us,” Antoinette said. “This program made me feel supported, empowered and encouraged. We could express ourselves without judgment, and no question was too big or small.”
Balancing work and home life has its challenges, especially with young kids, but Antoinette manages it by working a couple of days in a row to maximize her time off. “In my free time, I like to read, give myself self-care days and travel whenever I can,” she said. “This year, I’m looking forward to taking my mom to Aruba and have trips in the works for next year. It’s nice to be able to enjoy life and see new places with family.”
Looking ahead, Antoinette is excited about her future. “At the beginning of the year, a coworker and I will be going to Youngstown State University using the hospital’s educational assistance program to obtain our BSNs,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to this next step in my journey, and it’s nice to have someone along for the ride.”
Interested in learning more about how you can further your career? Visit https://careers.akronchildrens.org/career-launch.
