10 Questions with Neva Cooper

As the Occupational Health nurse shifts into high gear for the busy employee flu clinic season, ‘Nurse Neva’ takes a moment to share her career journey, her daily mantra, and the one superpower she wishes she had.

“I am either Snow White or white snow,” laughs Neva Cooper, RN, in Occupational Health.

Neva is referring to the origins of her first name, which has Spanish and Russian roots: Nieve in Spanish means snow. In Russia, the Neva River flows through St. Petersburg where many people admire the city’s famous “white nights,” when the sky is all aglow.

Not only does Neva (pronounced Nee-vah) have an unusual name, but she also chose a profession unique to her family. Nicknamed “Nurse Neva,” she is the middle sibling of five — with two older brothers and two younger sisters — none of whom work in the medical field. She started her healthcare career as a unit secretary in the surgical ICU at BU Medical Center. “I was just in awe of the nurses and how they took care of their patients and interacted with families,” says Neva. “That experience just cemented my career path.”

As a nurse for the past 10 years in the Occupational Health department for Cape Cod Healthcare, Neva, along with her coworkers, is responsible for onboarding new employees, making sure all their medical documentation is in order and medical requirements are met. “We have onboarded around 1,000 workers so far this year and it’s only September,” says Neva, adding they also onboard travelers, contract workers, nursing students and Riverview students.

On the day we visited her in the Occ Health building, located below-street level across from Cape Cod Hospital (“We are cellar dwellers,” jokes Neva), she was busy gearing up for the 10-week employee flu clinics, which launched this week on September 23 and continues through November 22.

“Get a lollipop, a sticker and a smile when you get your vaccine,” says Neva.

During our conversation, Neva shares her daily mantra, her first very unusual job, a surprising fact about her and the one superpower she wishes she had.

1. What gets you out of bed in the morning?

I am dog sitting for a friend who is in the military. So Pendo the pit bill gets me out of bed in the morning. He’s my part-time doggie. I really just love dogs. I think pit bulls get a bad rap. He is just the most snuggly, lovey-dovey dog.

2. Do you have a mantra or phrase you live by?

Ride the waves of life. Some are big and scary, others are smooth and gentle. Floating in the ocean waves is one of the things I love to do.

3. What advice would you give your younger self?

Start your 401K as soon as you can!

4. If you could switch places for a week with someone, who would it be?

Sadly, my mom who is 89, has Alzheimer’s. I would want to switch places with her so that I could better understand what she’s experiencing.

5. Favorite self-care indulgence?

A regular pedicure. The whole works!

6. What was your very first job and what was your big takeaway?

Picking cucumbers when I lived in Amherst. If you lived in the western part of the state, it was picking either cucumbers or tobacco. I made about $6 an hour. We would lay on our stomachs on a moving flatbed with our arms hanging down and pick up the cucumbers. They are prickly! I also used to run a Mexican food cart in Copley Square in Boston. Since I have met people from so many different walks of life, I have learned to adapt to new environments.

7. Is there something about you that people would be surprised to learn?

My husband and I have traveled to all but four states together. We did a lot of road trips. One time, we flew to Vegas, rented a car and traveled to 10 states. In each state, we went to every single national park. We have yet to visit Oklahoma, New Mexico, Alaska and Texas. I’d really love to go to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico. It’s on my bucket list.

8. Favorite movies?

“Forrest Gump” and “Fried Green Tomatoes.”

9. Where do you like to go on the Cape?

I like to walk the other side of the Cape Cod Canal. My husband bikes it, but I like to walk it or sit and people watch. I love the train bridge. Since I live in Kingston, I enjoy exploring the Grace Trail in Plymouth, which goes from Kingston to downtown Plymouth.

10. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Healing. I don’t like to see anyone sick, hurting or in pain. There are so many horrible diseases – cancer, autoimmune, Alzheimer’s. Those things break my heart. I wish I could heal people.