Marissa Amata, RN, BSN: Pure Grit & Determination
Story by Linda Philipp
Make no mistake about it… once Marissa Amata makes up her mind to do something, it will get done. She is at once a supreme multi-tasker, registered nurse, mother of two small children, mentor, friend, cherished daughter and granddaughter, fiancé, and yes, works full-time as the Sunflower Team Lead at Hospice of San Joaquin.
So how does she do it all? “Time management,” she says is the key. Today she manages 16 employees on an Interdisciplinary Team. As such, she is responsible for scheduling their patients’ visits and auditing to ensure each patient is cared for appropriately. Follow up is crucial. “I’m always asking ‘Was it done?”
That philosophy served her well on her professional journey, which was an extremely challenging one. A native Stocktonian, Marissa’s parents divorced when she was young. She is the oldest of her four siblings and the first in her family to attend college. After graduating from Bear Creek High School, Marissa attended San Joaquin Delta College and received her AA degree thinking she would become a teacher. But it was her maternal grandmother’s health struggles that drew her to health care. Her Nana had dreamed of becoming a nurse, so when she herself needed care, Marissa decided to fulfill that desire to help others. It is what continues to motivate her to this day. When her grandfather also became ill and needed hospice, she knew she had found her calling in health care.
In 2014, Marissa first went to work for Hospice of San Joaquin as a Home Health Aide after completing the requirements for the position at San Joaquin Delta College. With encouragement to continue her education from her supervisor, she pursued her LVN degree at Gurnick Modesto Academy of Medical Arts in 2016-17 while continuing to work full time. Enter Covid in 2020 and the availability of online classes. This accessibility afforded her the opportunity to work toward her AA degree as an LVN at Carrington College in Sacramento. She then enrolled in the LVN-BSN bridge program at Nightingale College in Utah. This Spring, Marissa did the nearly impossible by achieving her Registered Nurse (RN)/Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing (BSN).
The day she received word that she had passed her exams, Marissa shared the exciting news first with her Nana and then her father who continued to champion her efforts. Tears of joy were shed as she helped make Nana’s dream finally come true.
Marissa is quick to note that none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of her family, friends and colleagues. She readily credits her fiancé Victor for holding down the home front and taking care of their children while she studied and traveled to Las Vegas, Colorado and Utah for clinicals. Her family members provided groceries when times got tough. Both Cheryl and Lori at Hospice of San Joaquin not only supported and mentored her, but made sure she was able to complete her coursework by adjusting her work schedule to make that happen.
While work is obviously important to Marissa, she recognizes the need for balance in her personal life as well. She and Victor have been fortunate to enjoy the same days off each week and coordinate their daily work schedules so that one of them is with their children. In addition, they share a fondness for favorite TV shows, really good music, the WWE and are Raiders Football season ticket holders.
As a young professional, Marissa now finds herself in a position to mentor others… a role she relishes. Other staff members see her as a role model and ask her advice on how to get started. Grateful for the financial support she received from the Hospice of San Joaquin Dr. Robert Browne scholarship, she understands the value of that support. As a nurse, “I always have been one to help people and want them to succeed.” With her patients and colleagues, she frequently finds herself asking, “Are you OK? How are YOU doing? How can I help YOU?” Most importantly, she encourages each of them to “Never Give Up.” Just as she never has.
