Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. is a registered nurse in the ICU, practicing in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Wayne Gregory specializes in advanced cardiovascular life support, basic life support, CPR, and AED. Wayne also holds a certification in Stroke Scale from NIHSS.
Before his successful nursing career, Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Political Science from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Wayne Gregory also holds a Master’s degree in Public Education from Clemson University and graduated from Piedmont Technical College with a degree in Nursing in December 2019. As if that were not enough, Wayne recently pursued his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and graduated in August 2021.
Education has always been an important part of Wayne’s life. His Political Science and Government degree gave him the tools necessary to excel in his first professional position, the Project Manager for Greenville, South Carolina. Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. later went on to serve as the Economic Development Project Manager for the City of Columbia in South Carolina. In this role, Wayne served as the city’s contact for any business development plans, developed marketing strategies and materials, calculated tax rates, prepared reports, and much more.
From there, Gregory Jr. went on to own his own business, Gregory Equipment Sales, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. While very different from his previous two positions, Wayne thoroughly enjoyed this role. In this position, Wayne sells industrial equipment, develops business leads, manages marketing campaigns, and more. He also handles the online sales of factory machinery, shows industrial machinery to prospective customers, as well as processes payments of funds, and ships machinery to buyers.
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. is also a Board Member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Food Bank Board, Richland County United Way, South Carolina Developers’ Association, the Internal Economic Developers’ Council and the Workforce Investment Board.
When working in healthcare, Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. understands that each patient is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Not only is Wayne dedicated to patients’ health, but he also prides himself on caring for the whole individual. Working in the ICU and medical-surgical departments, Wayne typically sees patients who have experienced trauma or recently had invasive surgery.
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr. is a compassionate and committed healthcare professional. Gregory cares deeply about each and every patient and strives to make their experience as enjoyable as possible
Our Interview with Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: I enjoy working to help people improve their overall health and recover from medical problems they are facing. Helping individuals overcome difficulties to improve their quality of life is something I find very rewarding.
Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Never give up. Just because you do not succeed or life deals you a bad hand it is important to learn from it and move on. Always try to learn from a failure and keep a positive mindset.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Going back to school to obtain my BSN nursing degree and obtaining a 4.0 GPA. Nursing school is not easy, but I was able to accomplish my goal of becoming an RN.
What did you waste the most time on when you were first starting your career?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Time management. Learning what to focus on was difficult in the beginning. I learned it is important to focus on what keeps people alive, so that is where my time is spent.
Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Vital signs monitor in patient rooms because they show how the patient is doing in real time. Medications are titrated based on these monitors, which makes them a cornerstone of healthcare.
What is your favorite hobby and why?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Running outside when I am not working helps me to relax and recharge. It is important to exercise and get away from the hospital setting to have balance in life. I love the fresh air and being outdoors.
What excited you the most about your industry right now?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: The growing demand for healthcare and providers at all levels. I view the demand for health workers as an exciting opportunity. It is great to be a part of such a high demand field.
What concerns you most about your industry right now?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: When hospitals cannot find enough employees to fill their positions because patient care is compromised. Patients need to have enough healthcare workers to provide safe care. When staff levels are not maintained, then care suffers.
Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Always being mindful of time management and what I need to focus on to manage my time effectively through planning. Having plans for how to accomplish my priority tasks helps enhance my productivity.
What tips do you have for getting a seat at the table?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Networking is the key. No matter what field or industry you work in, networking is important. Get involved in work and social organizations in your area to help enhance your contacts.
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Beach Music by Pat Conroy is my favorite book because I love the beach and the Charleston, SC area. Working in critical care has shown me how fragile life is, so it is important to make the most out of each day by enjoying life.
Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: Both are important. Common sense helps people contribute to society. It is important to work to improve your intelligence by obtaining the necessary skills and training required to accomplish your goals.
What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Wayne Emerson Gregory Jr.: My fun day is going for a run in the morning, and then going to the beach for the day. Having dinner with friends at a good restaurant is a nice way to end the day.
