Joy Taylor, a clinical RN with the USF IVF program, was selected as a nominee for the first ever Hope Award for Nursing by RESOLVE, the largest national support organization for couples suffering from infertility.

Candidates for the Hope Award for Nursing were individuals who exemplify the field of nursing, specifically in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, providing compassionate and skilled care to all patients. More than 60 nurses across the country were nominated anonymously by patients and these nominees were narrowed to 15 finalists by the RESOLVE selection committee comprised of patients, nurse and RESOLVE staff.   Although she did not win, Taylor was among the finalists.

“I was honored to make it to the final 15; it meant a lot that a patient took the time to nominate me,” said Taylor, who joined USF IVF in 2007. 

Joy Taylor, RN

Taylor says her approach to caring for patients experiencing fertility problems is the same philosophy she applies to nursing as a whole.  While her daily duties include monitoring follicular ultrasounds, running hormone assays, and preparing for and performing intrauterine inseminations, she is quick to acknowledge that the most important part of her job is listening to patients, providing unconditional hugs and even sharing a few tears. 

“I try to always recognize that each patient is an individual and no one’s journey in infertility is the same,” she said. “I take time to make my patients feel they are never in this alone and that they always have a way to get answers quickly.”

Taylor’s greatest satisfaction is being part of a successful IVF outcome. “It’s ultimately seeing the patient get that precious gift from God, their new baby to take home,” she said. “Although, not everyone gets that, I want all our patients to feel that they made the journey with caring members of our reproductive team.”

Dr. Shayne Plosker, division director of USF IVF, says Taylor is a terrific ambassador for the program.  “She is above all a dedicated and compassionate advocate for our patients on their journey to parenthood, a team player, and has a gift for picking up the diverse clinical skills that nurses need to take on in a mid-sized program,” Dr. Plosker said. “That our patients have formally recognized her impact is a wonderful testimony.”

Taylor earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Kaskaskia College in Centralia, IL in 1995.  She began her career in reproductive endocrinology and infertility nursing six years ago when she was hired for a mother-baby nursing position at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH.  She ended up working with a reproductive endocrinologist who mentored Taylor and sent her to a new infertility nurse training program at the Cleveland Clinic’s Beechwood Fertility Center.

Being a member of the IVF team in an academic medical center is “a wonderful learning experience,” Taylor said. “In the field of reproductive endocrinology, information and technologies are ever changing. Working closely in the clinic with USF physicians, residents and medical students serves as a platform for my own continuing education in the field.”