Celebrating Our Nurses: Becky Hoskinson's Story

Becky knew she wanted to be a nurse since she was in sixth grade after completing a school project on what she wanted to be when she grew up. Years later, she realized her dream and obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Lenape School of Practical Nursing. She’s been a nurse for the past 18 years.

Becky joined InVision in October 2019 as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). She and InVision’s other nurses—Rebecca Wilson and Terri Heberling—work with the people we support who receive mental health services through InVision Behavioral Health (IBH). Terri and she also recently helped facilitate InVision’s two COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Wexford to vaccinate both the people we support and our staff.

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the challenges nurses face every single day and how they overcome them through strength and determination. There has never been a more poignant time in recent history to thank the nurses in our lives for all that they do.

In honor of Nurses Appreciation Week, we caught up with Becky to learn more about why she chose to become a nurse and what nursing means to her.

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?

I enjoy helping out all of those in need—I love meeting new people and hearing about their life journeys.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome as a nurse?

Every day I’m learning something new. Each day is a new experience, and I’ve already learned so much while working for InVision!

Do you think your role as a nurse changes depending on the patients with whom you work, like people with disabilities?

Yes, but in a good way! I worked with geriatric patients for 15 years prior to working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at InVision. Medically, there’s not much difference; however, when I worked with elderly patients, I got to hear about their stories from the past. With the people we serve, I get to support them with their lives as they are happening. I love riding along with them on each of their unique life journeys!

What do you wish more people understood about nurses?

I wish more people knew what a joy it is to work with the people we support!

What does nursing mean to you?

It means so much to me. I’m really glad I have the privilege of helping people from all backgrounds. I’m honored that the people we support trust me with their health and care!

Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married for nine years to my husband, Brian. We have two daughters: Caitlyn, 15, and Kennedy, nine. Both are in school full time!

Any hobbies?

In our spare time, we do a lot of camping. We have a travel trailer, and we’ve been as far as Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Ocean City, Maryland. We also have three dogs who travel with us!

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a huge sports fan. Every year, my family and I try to attend a Pittsburgh Penguins game to cheer them on. GO PENS!