Juliette Giacone Hammel Fresno State 1962

My name is Juliette Giacone Hammel. I was born in Fresno, CA to Margaret and John Giacone. I was the first to finish college in my family. I’m the younger of 2 children. I am also the first nurse in my family. I received my BSN at CSUF in 1962. I received my PNA/PNP Certificate from VMC/CSUF Program in 1976. I worked at St. Agnes Hospital from 1962 until 1976 in areas of Med-surg; and labor delivering and new born nursery. I returned to school in 1976 to obtain my PNP from VMC/CSUF Program (certificates). I also returned to CSUF in 1984 to obtain my school nurse credential. In 1978 I became nationally certified as a PNP through NAPNAP.

I worked at Central Valley Regional Center and was a nurse consultant in their high risk new born follow-up program. Concurrently I worked in private pediatric practices and migrant health. In 1984 until 2000 I worked at FUSD – coordinating their CHDY program as a PNP. In 2000 I retired from FSUD but continue to work part-time VIA contract nursing for Fresno Co. Schools until present. A total of 46 years of nursing.

I married when I was a junior in college in 1961 - from that marriage came 2 daughters: Kristina (Comporato) Kennedy (graduate Santa Clara University she is an actuary and a VIP at Pacific Life in Newport Beach. The second daughter is Andrea (Comporato) Eubanks, graduate UCLA; she is an Insurance Health Care Consultant. I currently have 5 adorable granddaughters. I remarried Gordon Dale Hammel in 1982 and am currently relocating to Pacific Grove for health reasons.

List any student nurse experiences you may remember and any faculty:

I was a member of the first entering class 1958 and first graduating class of 1962. We were small – I recall most of our faculty: Dorothy Maxon, Karen Nishio, Norma Beckman (first chairperson), and Fanny Sample (2nd chairperson). Our class was small-we remained close the entire 4 years – most have remained close friends in Fresno over the 50 years. We paid $35 a semester to attend FSU – General Parking pass was $6.

How do you feel about nursing then and now, and in the future?

I’ve always loved the nursing profession – I felt a sense of accomplishment when I finished in the first graduating class. Then again when I completed my PNP program and studies at VMC. Nursing will always be an esteemed profession. Today it holds a whole new concept of independent practice; however bedside manor and respect for one’s clients will always remain the primary goal for the successful nursing practice professional. Nursing will always remain an honorable and steadfast profession.