A self-professed caregiver by nature, Megan Routt is an aesthetic registered nurse at Derma Health Skin & Laser, which has three Valley locations. Learn about Megan Routt…
Hometown: I was born and raised in sunny Long Beach, Calif. My family has lived in the city of Long Beach for 73 years.
First job: My first job was working at the front desk at a dental office. I remember being 15 and my dad driving me all around town with my “resume” that listed all my babysitting jobs. My dad said something to me before I walked into the dental office to ask them if they were hiring. He said, “Megan, if they ask if you are interested in the dental field you tell them yes. You tell them it is all you have ever wanted to do. Companies want to invest in someone who wants to be there long term.” I ended up being at the company for four years and worked my way up from making charts to becoming the assistant manager at 18 years old.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: I love spending my free time outdoors when the weather is nice. I enjoy Sunday brunch on the patio in Downtown Gilbert, long walks through the Riparian Reserve at Water Ranch with my husband and two boys, and shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square with my girlfriends.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My biggest accomplishment was when I graduated from college as a registered nurse. I poured blood, sweat and tears into becoming a nurse. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The amount of patience, strength, sacrifice and endurance nursing school requires is enormous. I knew being a nurse was my purpose on this earth. Being a nurse is not just what I do, it is who I am. I am a caregiver by nature.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Hands down my biggest obstacle has been juggling being a mother, teacher, nurse and wife during the quarantine. Although I was not treating patients for eight weeks, we still had meetings, trainings and performing virtual consultations while being home with my two young boys. My husband and I decided to make the best out of a difficult time, and we started building our dream home during the pandemic. Although there has been a lot to overcome, it has been wonderful to have something to look forward to.
Someone who inspires you and why: I have always been inspired by my grandfather, Philip Worthington Patterson Jr. He is 100 years old and still lives in the same home he and my grandmother Betty Patterson (98 years old) bought together 70 years ago. I grew up with my grandparents never living farther than 10 miles from me. When I went to nursing school, I decided to move in with my grandparents to help take care of them. I had long, in-depth conversations with my grandfather about life, death and everything in between. He has lived through the depression, fought in the war, confronted racism, and fascism and has now lived through a pandemic. He has taught me to worry less and love more. Most importantly, he has taught me how to be content with what I have. He has taught me how to sacrifice and fight for what I love. He is the reason I graduated from nursing school. I am so blessed I still have him here.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: The advice I could give someone pursuing aesthetics as a registered nurse would be to not be afraid. People in the industry jokingly call it the “wild west of medicine.” Because there really is no level of standardized care. Your experience will come from working with the patients. There will be scary moments and happy moments. Embrace them all.
Favorite quote: “The greatest battle you will ever fight is with yourself.” This is my father’s quote. He said it to my sister and me all the time before he died three years ago. He had this quote in his signature on his emails. It is so simple, yet so true.
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: Something someone would be surprised to learn about me is I love 90’s hip hop music; RUN D.M.C, Dr. Dre, Public Enemy, Easy-E, Nas, and 2Pac are some of my favorite artists. Any playlist I have on Apple Music will include one of these artists.
What makes someone fabulous: I believe what makes someone fabulous is their authenticity. Nothing is more fabulous than being your true self. Embrace your weird. That is what makes you, YOU!