One of the goals of our eAntidote blog is to introduce you to the real poison experts who answer the phones at the Maryland Poison Center (MPC), as well as our staff members. In addition to being nurses and pharmacists, they are parents, grandparents, artists, athletes, sports fans, and more! Read the Q&A below to get to know one of our specialists: Jennifer Boniface.
Why did you go into the field of nursing?
When giving birth to my daughter, I had a positive experience and really respected the nurses working with us, which interested me in pediatric nursing. My mother and aunt were both pediatric nurses as well, so nursing as a career was so familiar to me already in my family.
How did you end up working at the poison center?
Working as a nurse in the pediatric emergency department, I gained a lot of experience working with the poison center. I called frequently for guidance on our patients and always had a positive experience speaking with the poison specialists. So much so that me and my colleagues would joke that we wished we worked for the poison center! I kept the thought in the back of my mind and when I saw the opportunity arise to work for the Maryland Poison Center, I was excited and applied.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Although I am no longer working at the hospital with patients directly, I love that I still get to work with patients and their families over the phone. I still use so many of the skills I used in the hospital, especially triage which I now do on the call to gather information on the patient’s situation and determine what care they need. I feel valuable in helping callers figure out the situation and severity, and let them know that we can help manage the case. A majority of the time we are able to do so at home if we feel its safe to do so. Being able to help and connect with families in this role is what I enjoy the most.
Why are Poison Centers and poison specialists like you important?
We are a great resource for the community. We work with the public, school nurses, and parents, and are also a great resource for paramedics and all health care professionals. Anyone can call us for guidance or general information questions.
What’s an important message you want to share about poison safety?
Poisons can be found anywhere, so you must be aware of what is around you. Read labels carefully before using products and store securely so little hands can’t reach. It is important for our community to know that we are here to help and are a resource for them if anything happens or if they have questions or concerns.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy spending time with my daughter, husband, and our three dogs. I also enjoy paddleboarding alongside one of my dogs and friends. My husband and I enjoy seeing live music and checking out local musicians in our area. We are also looking forward to traveling to see all the National Parks in the future!
