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A nurse on the rooftop of the world

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, June 18, 2007

Nurses have done some amazing things in the course of human history. Countless women and men have cared for the sick and guided millions back to health. They've endured wars, comforting the wounded and lending an ear to the ill-fated. Only one nurse, though, has turned out the lights on top of the world. Patrick Hickey, RN, BSN, MS, MSN, Dr. P.H., CNOR, an assistant clinical professor at the University of South Carolina, returned home from his ascent of Mt. Everest last week. He shared some thoughts about the experience of a lifetime.

Hickey, 52, told us here in Stressed Out land about his plight to raise $29,035-one dollar for every foot of Mt. Everest-several months ago. You can read about it here. Now he has returned from his successful expedition. His efforts to raise scholarship funds have reached more than $8,000, and the number is climbing every day. His reason is simple: "I saw a lot of students working two and three jobs, not having enough resources," Hickey says. "I thought if I could put something in place so that someone doesn't have to worry about working . . ."

Hickey spent two months in conditions many of us have difficultly even imagining. He lived in a tent on the side of a mountain and endured absurdly frigid temperatures. He lost sight in his right eye for a while. He missed out on home-cooked meals and hugging his wife, Carol. Oh, and he's scared of heights. But through it all, Hickey kept family, friends, and the world informed by blogging. A mini PDA, a satellite phone, and a dedicated brother, Danny, helped make it happen. Click here and click on "Pat's Mt. Everest Climb" to get a glimpse inside his amazing world.

We thought it would be fun to put Hickey-who says he is "NLSO" ("no longer stressed out," in his words)-on the hot seat after his trip to one of the coldest places on earth. Relaxed, and eating a piece of chocolate after becoming a member of the exclusive "7 Summits Club" (the highest peak on each continent), here's what he had to say:

1. So, how does it feel to say you were on the "rooftop of the world?"
   I haven't said it a whole lot, but it's very exciting actually. And I had the unique experience of being the last person this year. My wife says I 'turned out the lights on top of the world' as I left.

For more of this story (plus a whole lot more!), please click here.

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