Meet Andrea Emmerling | Registered Nurse/ Manager

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

Hi Andrea, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Mobile IV Vitamin infusions are gaining popularity across the nation. My work in this industry started during the pandemic. I saw many clients who were very sick, but with no room in the hospitals many were sent home. It was really eye opening to see how simple measures, a small amount of intravenous fluids and simple vitamins, could really help so many people feel better. With our Emergency Rooms being so overrun, there was truly no place for people to turn who didn’t have a true emergency but needed some help. But on the other side it was truly amazing that people called us because they didn’t want to go to an ER but we knew they really needed to go so we were able to provide the education to please go in when they needed to. Now that all of that has settled, I get the amazing opportunity to see clients now that have a wide array of complaints like migraines, general illness, fatigue, altitude sickness, morning sickness, hangovers, and more. I also have clients that just want to support their immune systems to stay healthy this time of year.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’ve had a diverse career that includes EMS, Firefighter, 911 dispatcher, detention deputy, nursing and more.  I remember starting my first ambulance job years ago. Part of the hiring process was to carry the cot up a flight of stairs. The cot was around 40lbs and I was maybe 120lbs. I have no idea where I found the strength, but I managed to finally get up the stairs with it. It wasn’t pretty but I did it. I was one of the only women in my department at the time. I had to work hard to prove myself and show that I could do the job as well as the men I worked with. I actually loved it because with each win I became stronger both physically and mentally. Mental strength is important when working in medicine. The trauma that first responders and nurses see is on a level most will never understand. If you don’t prepare yourself mentally it can break you.

Small victories over the years prepared me for bigger challenges. I responded to New York City at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. It was one of the most challenging situations I have ever been in. I was there for 21 days working 12 hours a day at North Central Bronx hospital. My final day there, after being emotionally and physically spent, I witnessed abuse of a patient at the hands of a nurse. The incident made me rethink my career path, and at the same time realize that I had found my purpose in this life.

When I left for New York I had been working in a same day surgery center as an operating room nurse. It was not a terrible job but I felt like I was taking care of doctors and not patients. I knew I needed to find a niche in nursing that would once again feed my soul. I had volunteered for mission trips in Haiti with an organization called Love Takes Root. We would provide orthopedic surgery to patients in Jacmel hospitals. We would also help at a local medical clinic and an orphanage. I always came back wanting more experiences where I could connect with my patients on the level that lured me into the medical field. That’s when I found Rocky Mountain IV medics. I feel like I am making more of a difference now than I ever have in my medical career. I have helped many patients these past 3 years, whom many have become my friends. I had one client who was addicted to alcohol and marijuana. I would see her almost weekly for a year, slowly gaining her trust and guiding her to rehab. She is sober and thriving now. I work for a company that supports their employees and puts family first, while at the same time providing caring and compassionate care to those patients we treat. I am awarded amazing opportunities like meeting celebrities, traveling, and working with organizations like First Responder Trauma Counselors. As the saying goes “Find something that you love and you will never work a day in your life.” That is my story…..

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.
I am around people and on my phone constantly, so I prefer more low key activities for the most part. I love hiking the rocky mountains and taking in different local breweries. But Red Rocks is always a must for new visitors and catching a game of one of our many local pro sports teams. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Growing up I saw both of my parents in the emergency services realm. They both volunteered in our small town on the ambulance and fire department. Each time they would get a call it would give me an adrenaline rush. From a young age I knew that I wanted to be a first responder and in the medical field. As cliche as it sounds, I wanted to spend my life helping others. My parents instilled values of hard work, and integrity.  They never stopped or discouraged me even when some of my ideas were dangerous and not the best choice.  I am a strong, independent, and successful woman because of them.   

Other: https://poplme.co/hash/kGvPmxAT/1/dash

Image Credits
Cobi Spencer at Pear Media, Andrea Emmerling Photography