Patrick Hickey is a clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina and the faculty principal for the Capstone Scholars Program at USC in Columbia, South Carolina. With 33 years of nursing experience, he has held various roles including medical surgical nurse, staff nurse in a coronary care unit, nurse manager in the emergency department, and director of performance improvement. He is renowned for creating positive patient experiences and advocating for quality nursing care.

“When I climbed the seven summits, I faced a lot of the same challenges that medical professionals face every day such as working in risky environments that require split-second decisions and teamwork. I learned quickly how to manage these challenges to achieve a goal and desired outcome,” Hickey said. His climbing achievements have not only marked personal milestones but also led to the creation of the Summit Scholarship at the University of South Carolina's College of Nursing, raising funds to support future nurses.

Hickey has written "7 Summits: A Nurse’s Quest to Conquer Mountaineering and Life" to demonstrate how hard work, persistence, belief in self, and support of family and friends can help anyone reach their highest goals. As a motivational speaker, he draws parallels between his mountaineering experiences and broader life and professional challenges. His presentation, “7 Summits of Life,” narrates his record-breaking quest that blends his passion for nursing with the empowerment of healthcare professionals through a seven-point message for success.

This initiative underscores his dedication to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his service on the national board for the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses and other significant roles within professional nursing organizations. He has been recognized with several awards including the Palmetto State’s Top 100 Nurses and the Palmetto Gold Award.

In his spare time, Hickey enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling, having visited 57 countries with his wife. His ability to convey messages effectively and engagingly has been praised by the American Assembly for Men in Nursing, and his presentations have been described as inspiring and uplifting by nurse educators, as reported by ATI Testing.

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