In addition to teaching the technical skills required for Surgical Technicians, Amber Nevala thrives on instilling in her students a sense of confidence.
“I always tell them that they have to be like a duck when they’re in the OR,” she says. “You may be panicking on the inside, but you have to stay cool, calm and collected, and be confident in the skills that you know.”
After 15 years as a Surgical Tech herself, Amber heard FVTC was starting a new Surgical Technology program at the Oshkosh Riverside Campus, and she was all in. “I enjoy seeing where the students start from day one, feeling nervous and not sure of what they’re getting themselves into, and then progressing into their skills,” she says. “It’s fun to see their progress and how confident they become.”
What classes do you teach?
I teach all the Surgical Technology program courses—the labs and lecture—and set up the clinical courses for the students for their precepted experiences out at hospital sites. So, Intro to Surgical Technology, Surgical Fundamentals 1 and 2, Surgical Skills Applications.
What did you do before you worked at FVTC?
I was a Surgical Tech for about 15 years. I worked at ThedaCare Appleton, and then I was also a travel Surgical Tech for many years before that. But I originally started in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I’m from.
Why did you decide to go into teaching?
When I was a Surgical Tech, I always loved working with students in the OR, either as students or as orientees when they were newly hired. I love teaching them and seeing them grow and progress. So when the opportunity came up that Fox Valley Tech was starting a brand-new program, I really had to try and apply for the position because it just really felt like that was my calling.
What do you enjoy most about the classes you teach?
I enjoy seeing where the students start from day one, feeling very nervous and not sure of what they’re getting themselves into, and then progressing into their skills. Getting to know each other and working well as a team, then seeing them go into their clinical rotations and really feel confident and comfortable working with surgeons and working with real patients. Here we’re only working on mannequins, so it’s very low stakes. It’s fun to see their progress and how confident they become.
What’s one piece of advice you have for students?
I always tell them that they have to be like a duck when they’re in the OR. You may be panicking on the inside, but you have to stay as cool, calm and collected as you can and be confident in the skills that you know. And never be afraid to make a mistake because I think the best lessons come from making mistakes. It’s important to just go in feeling confident.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
It’s similar to what I tell my students. Because the operating room can be very chaotic and things change quickly, I remember being told that being a Surgical Tech, you need to be calm on the outside. Even if you’re nervous on the inside, you don’t let people know. And especially don’t let your surgeons know because they want to be confident that their team knows what is going on. So be like a duck.
What skill are you currently working on?
In class, we are currently working on organizing sterile supplies to get ready for surgery. We just recently started working on bringing the patient into the room, and now we’re getting closer to doing mock surgeries from start to finish. So, before a patient comes into the room, everything that needs to be done inside the operating room, getting all the instruments and things organized.
What’s one thing about you that might surprise your students?
That I’m kind of a teenager at heart. I’m much older than them, but I really I feel like I can relate to them in a lot of ways. I probably like some of the same music and TV shows and fun things that they like to watch. I like to be relatable with them. I’ve also told them I am still their instructor and have to hold them accountable, but I do like getting to know them, and I think that that surprises them because I don’t know if they always have instructors that will talk fun things with them.
What do you like to do outside of the classroom?
I am a very big reader and enjoy cooking and exercise (Pilates, etc). I have two dogs, so I hang out with my dogs a lot. I also spend a lot of time with my nephew.
What was your first job?
My very first job, aside from babysitting, was a barista at a coffee/gift shop. I think that was one of my favorite jobs, just because everyone’s always happy coming in to get their coffee.
What was your best job?
Probably this one. Being a Surgical Tech for so many years prepared me for this. But I think right now, if I had to pick, this would be my favorite job.
Lightning Round
Beach or mountains?
Oh, beach. I want to bring a book and relax on the beach.
Winter or summer?
Summer
City or country?
City. I lived in Chicago. I like the city.
Fiction or nonfiction?
Fiction
Messy or clean desk?
Pretty messy
Cat person or dog person?
Dog person
Morning person or night owl?
Morning person
What’s your go to comfort food?
I like breakfast food pretty much at any time. I love breakfast for dinner.
The last TV show you binge watched?
Probably one of the Love Is Blind seasons on Netflix.
Skill Showcase:
Watch as Amber Nevala demonstrates how to use laparoscopic surgical equipment (camera, light cord, instruments and video tower) to simulate how surgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries in the abdomen.
