Learning on the Journey: Marina Tyma’s Story

When she emigrated to the United States from Ukraine more than 20 years ago, Marina Tyma, RN, was searching for her purpose in life.

She worked hard and achieved much success, but it wasn't until she set out to find her bigger purpose that she found the career of her dreams at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN).

Now a registered nurse and patient care specialist at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hecktown Oaks, Tyma's story serves as inspiration for others who want to grow a career in health care.

Tyma joined LVHN in a nursing support role in 2010. When she started at LVHN, she also went to school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), taking courses in subjects like microbiology and physiology that helped her feel comfortable and confident. Because she thrived in her first classes, she knew she could commit to learning how to provide care and make a difference for her patients.

She continued at her own pace until she graduated in 2013. Then, she started as an LPN with LVPG Endocrinology and LVPG Float Pool. As a resource LPN, she traveled throughout the Lehigh Valley providing care.

Her colleagues at LVHN were one of the most significant driving forces in her pursuit of higher education. They helped her as she learned on the job and created a sense of community for her.

“I met so many amazing people along the way,” Tyma says. “Among so many life lessons, they helped me see that everything happens for a reason.”

Her colleagues encouraged her to keep going. She went back to school to become a registered nurse, and in 2016 she joined the medical surgical unit at LVH–Muhlenberg as an RN. She completed a critical care certification and started as a nurse in the intensive care unit there. She credits her colleagues with giving her a warm, supportive experience there. Continuing to work while studying, Tyma finished her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2021.

She wanted to keep going. Her motto is simple: “If I don’t try it, how am I going to find out?”

She became a patient care specialist and enrolled in a Master of Science in nursing program in 2022. Even as she balances work and school, Tyma is always looking ahead to how she can grow and learn in the future.

At each level of education, Tyma took advantage of the tuition reimbursement benefit offered to LVHN colleagues. This was instrumental in making it possible to complete her education and let her career evolve.

“To someone who is thinking about pursuing education, I say you can make it happen if you find those opportunities and keep your goals in mind,” she says. “LVHN has helped me pursue my goals, and my colleagues support me every step of the way.”

She also hopes to be an example to her children so they too can do anything they set their minds to achieve. It is her desire that they will build their own future the way she did.

Tyma is happy to be in a role where she can share her love of learning with others.

“The most rewarding part of my role at LVHN is that I learn something new every day,” Tyma says. “It brings me great satisfaction that I get to pass on what I know to others and help them provide the excellent care our patients expect and deserve.”

What’s next for Marina Tyma? The sky’s the limit. Right now, she’s focused on passing on her knowledge as much as possible.

“I get inspired by people I meet, and I hope that along the way I inspire them too,” she says.