Burn Technician
Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health
Claire Nielsen, who vividly recalls her parents’ tragic airplane crash when she was six, now works as a CNA at the place that saved her parents’ lives. She admires the medical professionals, her heroes and speaks of their significance in her life.
Despite her parents’ recovery challenges, Claire found beauty in their journey. Her initial passion for nursing led her towards labor and delivery. However, inspired by her parents’ bravery, she embraced the burn center, conquering her fears.
Claire’s transformative journey has been marked by resilience and a renewed sense of purpose. Grateful for the burn center’s vital role, she now stands alongside her heroes in a united mission to help others.
“These people truly are my heroes. I’m so grateful for them and to be able to work side by side with these people that really, truly are my heroes is the coolest thing in the whole world.”
“I decided to apply to work in the burn center with a lot of trepidation. I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t really want anything to do with Burns after everything that we’ve been through.But because of the example that my parents said of We can do hard things and we can be brave and we can we can help people because of what we’ve been through, I decided to go for it, and I’m so glad that I did, because I’m I really am still interested in labor and delivery. And I think it’s a really cool field that I have found that burn is my passion and I think it’s a calling that I have in my life and I belong there.“ – Claire Nielson
“There are moments where I am triggered by certain smells or by things that look a little too familiar or when I can see myself in someone else’s family experience,” said Claire. “But being on this side of the burn center has been more healing than I ever expected. I didn’t think I needed to be healed from the things I went through as a child, but working at the burn center has helped me realize I did need some recovery.”
“The burn center is a place of healing,” she added. “I am happy to be making personal strides while helping other people during the most difficult and painful time of their lives. My parents are perfect examples of what you can become after a life-changing accident. Patients can leave the burn center and still have happy, full, good lives. I have that perspective and I am honored to share that with my patients.”