A nurse’s empathy inspired a young ski accident survivor to find his future in nursing
Robbie Petersen was 16 years old when he tried a new trick off the ski jump. He landed on his back, resulting in a collapsed lung from the fall.
Petersen was treated at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. During his stay, registered nurse Osasu Aduayi was constant source of comfort. “I don’t remember every detail of my stay, but I remembered Osasu,” Petersen said. “He really made me feel safe in a time when I was in a lot of pain.”
Aduayi’s empathy and expertise did more than just help Petersen heal. It inspired him to pursue a career in nursing. “Seeing someone like Osasu with such a kind presence and who just really seemed to care a lot was just so refreshing,” Petersen said. “That’s what connected the dots for me and I said, ‘nursing would be a good fit for me.’”
Knowing he left such a positive impression on Petersen is very meaningful for Aduayi. “I’ve taken care of thousands of patients,” he said. “Knowing the care I provided actually helped him choose his career – it’s a very humbling, very reassuring thing to hear I’m making that much of a difference.”
Petersen will graduate from nursing school in May and has recently accepted a position to work at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital – caring for patients on the medical-surgical unit alongside Aduayi.
In honor of Nurses Week, we sat down with Petersen and Aduayi to hear more about the profound impact they’ve had on each other and why nursing means so much to them.
“It feels like a path was laid out long before I even realized it.”
Petersen has always been driven to care for people. Before his injury, he volunteered with the Hyland Hills ski patrol’s Outdoor Emergency Care program, providing first aid and trauma care alongside other volunteers who were nurses, healthcare providers, and police officers. Many of the skiers and snowboarders he cared for were kids.
After his injury, his experience at Masonic Children’s Hospital stayed with Petersen. He knew the hospital was where he wanted to be. He interned in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and is excited to begin working full-time after graduation.
“I've always loved taking care of kids. Masonic really gave me an amazing perspective on working at a hospital,” he said. “It’s a really unique place. The culture here is special.”
Reflecting on his nursing journey, Petersen believes it all came full circle thanks to hard work, dedication, and the friendship he developed with Aduayi. “It feels like a path was laid out long before I even realized it.”
“If I can lessen a burden for a family during a hard moment, then I’m happy.”
You might say nursing runs in Osasu Aduayi’s blood. His grandmother was a nurse midwife in Nigeria. His mother is also a nurse.
As a baby, he was also diagnosed with severe asthma. When his mother brought him into the hospital, it was the nurses who recognized the issue and got him the care he needed. As he grew up, he was sure healthcare was where he could make a difference.
Aduayi has worked at Masonic Children’s Hospital for six years and in addition to supporting children and families, he loves being a teacher and mentor for other nurses.
“I find a lot of joy in teaching others, whether it be capstone students, new grads, or interns," he said. “I like seeing them be proud of themselves.” That includes Petersen. “It feels like he’s a little brother,” Aduayi said. “He’s such a genuine person, he’s very compassionate and empathetic. We have a mentor/mentee thing, but it also feels like it’s more.”
Outside of being a mentor, Aduayi believes it’s a privilege to be there for patients and their families during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
“As nurses, we see the good, the bad, and everything in between when we are caring for people,” he said. “If I can lessen a burden for a family during a hard moment, then I’m happy,” he said.
