They said he couldn’t do it because “nursing is a woman’s job – not a man’s”. But a lot changed in the last twenty years that erased that deterrent, and Anthony Giacullo was ready to go the education distance to become a primary health care professional. He knew he had a lot to give to people in physical and mental pain and he charted an education and career path that would put him directly between someone else’s disaster and hope.
Anthony tested the health care waters by first becoming a phlebotomist, drawing blood for testing in the lab. For 13 years he was reasonably content in that medical environment. But now he wanted the inside job of direct patient care. He wanted to be a nurse. But he also had serious doubts and insecurities about his ability to make that happen.
What was the first step in your nursing career direction?
I started my medical career direction in 2005 because nursing was my goal – and it took me 25 years to get there. In 2012 I took Medical Assistant training to become a phlebotomist and was a phlebotomist for 13-years before I finally started training to become a nurse. I’ve earned several certifications over the years.
Why did it take so long to realize your dream to become a nurse?
I got a lot of feedback that I wouldn’t make a good nurse. “It’s a woman’s job, not a man’s job,” I was told many years ago. I harbored those doubts – maybe I couldn’t do it – and it deterred me for a long time. But they were wrong. I took it as a personal goal to prove that I could do this job and do it well.
What education and training took you up that medical career ladder?
I completed my Associate Degree in Nursing at Carrington College’s Mesa (AZ) campus in 2022 and recently completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program online. Nurses I worked with had good things to say about Carrington College and how their nursing program was really well structured for students.
I’ve had nothing but a great experience going to this school. Some techs I work with are thinking about going here, as well, because of my experience with the program.
Did you dread the long road to becoming a nurse?
The reason it took me so long to get into the nursing program is that I had a lot of negative feedback all my life – and I took that negativity to heart. I had to prove to myself that I could and would succeed.
I knew I’d get there eventually. And now that I’ve completed my nursing degree, everything is just falling into place. I can do this job and do it well.
What is the best thing about your Bachelor’s program?
There’s a lot of interaction with students and instructors; we do a lot of online discussions. Instructors get us to think ‘outside of the box’ and show us different ways to research. I have a lot of support. Whenever I have a question, I reach out to my instructor who is very quick about emailing me back and guiding me in the right direction. I have a 3.8 GPA.
Where did this education success lead you?
I saw the need and the potential for a nurse practitioner in the mental health field. I got to know a couple of nurse practitioners who helped me to become a very proficient nurse and instilled in me the thought of becoming a provider in the mental health field. I went in that direction.
Because of my education at Carrington College, my process with patients became more personal, my questions more open-ended so that they feel more comfortable in giving me a deeper level of information. I can actually ‘see’ their stories.
How did your bachelor’s level nursing program impact your work?
I started my bachelor’s program about 5 months after completing my Associate’s degree program at Carrington College and was working full-time, using what I was learning in-the-moment at work. It made my job better because I was learning how to do better patient assessments. My charting got better; it was more patient related than fact related.
What does your work entail?
As a Nursing Supervisor I, first, make sure everyone’s breathing. Police deliver people to us who might be a danger to themselves or others. I work in a crisis environment, so I’m always looking for signs of crisis. A lot of people who come to us may be taking drugs and I look for signs and symptoms of worsening conditions and place them into places of high vigilance.
We have teams observing patients for alarming signs: erratic breathing, changes in mental status, nonsensical verbalization.
What special skills are helpful in providing nursing in a mental health environment?
When I started working as a nurse, I realized I was very well suited to do this. It just clicked. I loved coming up with ways to invite better outcomes for the patients I’m treating…and for myself.
You have to be able to listen to somebody, not just get questions answered.
We have homeless people, not taking medications or self-medicating. They’re kind of beat up before they get to us. You have to be able to have empathy, put yourself into somebody else’s shoes. In the work we do, we have to show kindness.
Working as a psych nurse I saw a lot of potential in myself and how I could impact patients – people with mental illness – and help them learn about their illness beyond a diagnosis. Nursing can be a place of refuge and support.
What kind of support do you have at home?
Craig (fiancée) and I have a 50-50 relationship regarding household responsibilities. It’s just us and our dogs, so we know what needs to get done. Craig is in his master’s program in psychology (finishes 2025). He works 5 days a week and I work 3-4 days a week.
What might the future hold for you?
In January I will start my master’s degree program and then the Frontier School of Nursing Nurse Practitioner program (27-28 months).
I’d like to get my Doctorate in Nursing. It’s more than a thought; it’s probably what I’m going to do. And I’d love to teach behavioral and mental health at a nursing school. All this experience right now would really complement that goal.
Are you happy with the career direction and education process you chose?
I needed an end-goal, a full picture with all the steps. And now, everything is just falling into place. If you dream it, make it happen.
