Title: Registered Nurse, Staff Nurse

Company: Eastern State Hospital

Location: Lexington, KY

Lexington, Kentucky | December 1, 2010 | Patricia Skivington Mullinix, RN, BSN, Registered Nurse and Staff Nurse at Eastern State Hospital, has been recognized by Elite American Nurses for demonstrating dedication, leadership, and excellence in all aspects of nursing.

An experienced psychiatric nurse, Ms. Mullinix manages operations and works as a recovery coach for patients at Eastern State Hospital, a mental health care facility. With over three decades of professional experience in nursing, Ms. Mullinix was inspired to become a nurse from her grandmother, who was an experienced nurse in her time. Prior to her current position, Ms. Mullinix was a nurse at Central Baptist for 30 years. As a patient herself for many years, Ms. Mullinix knows firsthand of the struggles of being a patient. As a compassionate person, a strong listener, and an excellent problem solver, Ms. Mullinix devotes all her efforts into ensuring that each patient she meets has a sense of comfort and support. Over her years of service in nursing Ms. Mullinix has had the opportunity to help numerous individuals and families in a variety of nursing fields, from orthopedics to neurological surgery; through it all she has never lost sight of each patients individual needs, strengths and fears.

In 2007, a few days prior to her scheduled orientation to begin working at Eastern State Hospital, Ms. Mullinix went for a routine mammogram. Ms. Mullinix’s family history of cancer heightened her worry over the results of the test. On the day of her orientation, Ms. Mullinix received the dreaded phone call. Her biopsy had returned positive and Ms. Mullinix’ worst suspicions were confirmed—she had cancer. By the end of 2007, Ms. Mullinix had undergone a double mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy. Genetic testing performed in 2009 indicated that she was a gene carrier for the cancer, and she made the difficult decision to go under the knife once again to remove her ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus in a drastic hysterectomy to prevent the return of tumors elsewhere in her body. Today, Ms. Mullinix is happy to report that she is cancer-free, healthy and happy. Moreover, she is not regretful, instead she emphasizes that it has enriched her experience in the health care profession, having given her a firsthand account of what it truly means to be both the patient and the caregiver.

No matter the difficulties of her position, Ms. Mullinix is always grateful for the opportunity to help others and is rewarded with the praise of thanks she receives from each patient. An alumnus of the University of Kentucky, Ms. Mullinix earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 1981 and an associate degree in nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in 1973. She retains affiliations with the Kentucky Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. In her spare time she lends her expertise and knowledge as a volunteer at her local church, the Midsummer Night’s Run, and as a president of the Women’s Guild at the Cathedral of Christ the King, she also enjoys quilting, reading, sewing, fishing and watching football.

For more information on Ms. Mullinix and her experiences, please visit her personal website at http://www.patriciamullinix.com.

Contact Patricia Mullinix