Nicole Rinewalt
Arkansas Spine & Pain
Pain Treatment Specialist – Wound Care Specialist – General Surgeon
DAY AT WORK
Most days I am in the clinic seeing patients and developing plans to help alleviate their chronic pain issues. My favorite day is Tuesday because that is my OR day where I feel like I can make a difference in bettering patients’ lives with hands-on interventions and reduce reliance on opiate medications.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I transitioned to pain management after several years as a general surgeon taking care of burn patients. This experience gave a great deal of exposure to managing pain. When I left burn care, pain management seemed a logical transition.
CAREER EVOLUTION
I started as a paramedic years ago and fell in love with emergency medicine. This pushed me to finish my biology/pre-med degree. I always assumed I would go into the ER, but then I experienced surgery as a medical student and I was hooked.
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
There was a time when trying to be a woman in this field was very difficult. It was not easy to have a career and a home life. Thankfully that is no longer a problem since more and more women are choosing these careers. Balancing time between home and work is much more respected and expected now.
ADVICE
STEAM careers are exciting and challenging. To be a part of something that is changing the world, and the lives of people every day is, in my opinion, the greatest way to spend your working life.
