Maintaining Relationships After a Cancer Diagnosis

Guest Bio: Julianna Paradisi

Julianna Paradisi is a staff oncology nurse in an ambulatory clinic in Portland, Ore. She graduated in 1987 with an Associate Degree in Nursing from a Los Angeles community college. She worked in Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Units of Level I Trauma Centers the first 15 years of her career, earning PALS, NALS, and pediatric CCRN certifications.

In 2001, Julianna transitioned to adult oncology, after treatment for breast cancer, and returned to school: Pacific Northwest College of Art, fulfilling a childhood dream. Today, she is a multimedia artist, finding inspiration "where science, humanity, and art converge." Her artwork has appeared in numerous shows in Oregon and Washington, besides several publications, including the American Journal of Nursing, and Scrubs Magazine.

She authors the blog, J Paradisi RN. Her stories, "Icarus Again" and "Voyagers," were published in the anthology, New Lives: Nurses' Stories about Caring for Babies, and an essay, "The Wisdom of Nursery Rhymes," appeared in the February 2011 issue of the American Journal of Nursing.

Julianna describes herself as "Every Nurse, with a strong drive towards self-expression." Julianna blogs weekly for TheONC.org about creativity and the pursuit of it in the busy life of an oncology nurse.