Nurses Week: UVA Health nurse goes into profession after tragedy

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - One nurse at UVA Health is using nurses week to speak out and share her story of why she decided to go into the life-saving profession.

Danita Massie began her career in the medical field by working in laboratories and as a medical assistant. She knew many nurses but was not sure if she had what it takes to become one herself.

“I know this story is heavy, and most people don’t know how to respond... but for me, this experience is what set me on the path that I’m on,” said interventional radiology nurse, Danita Massie.

One night while Massie was running an errand at her local rescue squad, she was asked to come help out at the scene of an accident. She had only recently got her EMT license.

“Turns out, it was actually on my road. and when i stepped out of the ambulance, i recognize my older brother Steven laying in the middle of the road,” Massie said.

Without hesitation, Massie says her training kicked in and she began helping perform life saving measures on her own brother... waiting for the lead medic, but unfortunately her brother did not make it. In the midst of her grief, she chose to take that awful night and turn it into motivation for helping others.

“For me, this experience is what set me on the path that I’m on, I have peace, being able to spend those last moments with my brother,” Massie said.

Massie went on to be one of only twenty-two accepted UVA’s Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s program, and now gets to help other families every day in some of their hardest times.

“The impact that I can make on the patients that I take care of their family members that assist, and my own team members who are struggling with their own life issues, right? it’s humbling to me, it keeps me motivated,” Massie said.

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