In this episode of Club Nurse, host Colton Lord interviews Nayana (Nayna) Gadde, a Philadelphia‑based pediatric transport nurse who has turned her passion for photography into a side‑hustle focused on pet photography, especially end‑of‑life sessions. Gadde explains the nature of pediatric transport nursing—ground, rotor‑wing, and fixed‑wing transfers of critically ill infants and children, including a 430‑gram newborn—highlighting the fast‑paced, team‑based environment. She describes how pandemic‑era burnout and the loss of her own cat sparked a return to photography, leading to the launch of her business NG Paw Pics in September 2023. Gadde discovered the Tilly Project, a global network that connects end‑of‑life pet photographers with families, providing resources for grief and posing guidance. She shares how she schedules sessions (pop‑up events, home or nature shoots, timing them when pets are at their best health) and the profound emotional impact of the images, with clients reporting daily comfort months after a loss. The conversation also touches on how the side‑hustle helps her step back from nursing, expands her social circle beyond healthcare, and offers flexible scheduling. Gadde provides her Instagram handle (NGPAWPICS) and notes that services are currently limited to the Philadelphia area due to transportation constraints. The episode closes with encouragement for nurses to pursue side projects that bring purpose and joy beyond the bedside.
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Welcome to Club Nurse. I'm Colton Lord, your host. By you being here today, it shows me that you are someone who wants to learn, grow, laugh, connect, and just let your emotions flow. We are here to share real stories and hear real life experiences from real people. You are not alone in this, and Club Nurse is here to show you that. Don't forget to follow the show and share today's episode with someone you love. Now let's dive into today's conversation.
Welcome back everybody to Club Nurse. It's Colton, your host. I'm here with a special guest, Nina, who lives in Philadelphia and she's a nurse. And I'm gonna have her kind of introduce herself, kind of what nursing she does and how she got— oh, here's my dog coming up to see me. Um, I, I'm, I'm very interested. I, I have, uh, seen your work and kind of what you're doing with animals and I think it's really inspirational. Um, and just a cool thing for, you know, I think it's important for nurses to do different things. Uh, other than just having like, you know, their identity tied into nursing, it's important for us to have other outlets. And so I really love this. I love animals. So yes, this is Nina. I'm talking to her from Philadelphia. So introduce yourself and tell me kind of what, what kind of nursing are you doing? Um, let's kind of start there.
Hey guys, my name's Nina. I've been living in Philly for about 8, 9 years now. Um, most recently I switched to transport nursing, so I'm a pediatric transport nurse. I have found that The less documentation I do, the happier I am with my job. So I love my job right now.
What is transport? Like, what does that mean?
So that's like emergency transport. So we do ground and air transport, but intrafacility, we bring sick kids and babies through hospitals back to my main facility by ambulance, by rotor wing, and then we also go fixed wing. So we go to like California and other states to bring back kids.
So are these like kids that are like critically ill that need a nurse? There to transport?
Yeah, so some of these kids are ICU kids that are intubated. And, you know, the other day I transported a 430-grammer, which is my lowest size baby, which is scary to think about. But yeah, it's— you usually have 2 people on the team. It's either a nurse or a paramedic, nurse or RT, or 2 nurses. Usually no docs on the team, but we do call into med command if we need to, and sometimes the fellows do come with us.
Wow.
I didn't even know that those, that kind of job existed for nurses. So that's pretty cool. I work for a, I, my, my main specialty is ER, but I also have like another job where I take like calls to triage to transfer patients. So like if there was like adults or kids, you know, that need to be transferred into Boston, I take those calls, triage them, connect the doctors. So it's interesting to kind of hear that they're, you are like the, you know, maybe involved like on the actual transport with, with the patient. Yeah. I had never heard of that. That's cool. That's awesome.
Yeah.
So I was reading through some things that I had seen on you. I want to hear it from you directly. So kind of tell us how you got started into, I know that you do like photography for animals. Um, tell me exactly what it is, how people find you, how you got involved in this. Like what was like the inspiration behind it? Just tell me everything.
Yeah. You kind of hit it on the head where you were saying like, you want, you want to show people that nurses can do other things outside of work. And, you know, I was in the ED during the pandemic, burnt out. And I was like, is this all there is to my life? Cause I felt like my identity. and self-worth was tied so much into nursing. I was like, is there nothing else? So I picked up photography again. And during COVID and like the year after the main surge hit, my cat died suddenly. And I had never been into pet photography really because I never had a pet growing up. But I would take pictures of her all the time, never thought to take pictures of her and me together. And then when she died, I was like, oh my God, we never took good pictures together. And I do photography, so I didn't even think about that. At that point, after COVID, I was like, I'm over people, so let me focus on pet photography instead. And I started my business 2023, September 2023, and 2 months in I discovered the Tilly Project, which I had never heard of, and I think it's amazing. It's a worldwide organization that connects end-of-life pet photographers to other people. So you can look up, go into your state, look up a pet photographer near you that offers a service. It also helps with people like grief resources and also like helps photographers figure out posing for end of life. So it's an Amazing organization, and I decided to do pet photography through there. And the first session I did, dog passed away the next day. And just having those pictures for them, I was like, this, this is fulfilling just as much as nursing. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I think that's something that I have, uh, and I think a lot of nurses struggle with is because, you know, we get into this— most people, like, you're in nursing school, they're like, why'd you— why are you here? And most people are like, oh, I want to help people. It's like the most generic answer. And I think a lot of us get stuck in that, that kind of mindset of like, I have to be here at the bedside to be helping people. Something I have learned is that there's a million different ways to help people impact their lives. While yes, it is like a notable thing to be at the bedside, you know, helping people, there's other ways if you're feeling that, like, that burnout. So I think it's amazing that you found this, like, passion and, like, what a great way to connect with people. And it's, like, crazy, the coincidence right now. Like, I will try not to cry, but I rescued my first dog As an adult when I was 19. So it was right in college. She'll be 10 this month. And I mean, I have a million pictures of her and with her too. But she, she's down in Tennessee with my sister. She's been there for like the last 2 months because I was traveling a ton. And so it was just easier to have her down there. And I'm supposed to be going at the end of this month to go pick her up. And my sister calls me this morning. She's like, hey, Ellie's like really, really acting weird. Like FaceTiming me. She's like, something is going on. So she's like, they're monitoring her. Hopefully she'll be okay. Like, you know, if she, if anything gets worse, she'll take her to the vet. But. It's just like when you have like aging dogs, especially like you're just watching them get older, you notice them slowing down. So this, something like this is amazing. And I had also seen like the Tilly Project and just like those, I kind of looked into it. I think it's important for people to have that. Um, what have you found to be like the most like fulfilling in, in taking these photographs for people?
Um, I'll get people that message me maybe 4 or 5 months after their dog or cat has died and they're— they like say like, I look at these pictures every day and it's such a comfort for me. And that's like, it's worth it. Yeah, seeing that. Because I— when my, my first cat died, Maggie, she was the best cat ever. I was never a cat lady until I got her. And I made a video of her, of all the pictures I've taken of her, and sobbed while making it. But it was so cathartic just to have that and to give that to other people too. And also think about my end-of-life sessions. I try not to be— I try not to make it like about their death coming up or anything. I really try to celebrate like what kind of quirks they had and try to capture that in pictures. So I feel like it really reminds people of those funny stories that, you know, they had of their cat and dog. So.
Are these pictures that you're taking, like, are people coming to you at any point, like even when they're puppies, or is it just like when they're mostly like aging, or is it just like at any point if people just want photography, like they're coming to you and you're, and you're going like to a studio, you're going out in nature to their house, like where, how does that work?
Yeah, I do pet photography for everything. So I have like pop-ups around the city at like local doggy ice cream stores and pet stores where I do theme pop-ups. But for the end of life specifically, some people reach out to me like 2 days before, like, hey, I think I'm gonna put my dog down in 2 days. Do you have any availability to come and take pictures? Because I just found out about what you do. Or a couple months in advance, like, hey, my cat just got diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and I don't know how she's gonna You know, how long she's gonna live, can we take pictures and set that up? I think it's really important for those pictures to take them when their pet is feeling the best. One of the dogs that I followed that I took pictures of last November just passed away recently. He was gonna be 16 and his mom messaged me saying, you know, I'm so glad we did the pictures a couple months ago when he still had some weight on him and he still had the nice smile and everything, so.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that is, that's so, that really is so fulfilling. How have you found, like, do you feel like it's made you Like be able to kind of take a step back from nursing and kind of realize like, oh, like there's more, like there's more things that I can do to kind of make myself feel like my cup filled up. Like, were you pouring yourself too much into nursing and then you had to like reel it back in?
Yeah, absolutely. I definitely put a lot of, a lot into nursing. I also do like informatics stuff with nursing. So I felt like I was always on my email, always like in work mode, even if I clocked out. I've also found like a different community and I feel like it's hard when you're, so involved in nursing, all your friends are nurses and you can never get together because of all your different schedules. I have met so many random different people that I never would have through this. And so that's been really cool.
Yeah. Yeah. I love that. I think I was just, I was scrolling through your Instagram pictures and I was like, wow, what, like, what a cool thing. Like, I mean, you can't, I always like envy people who get to like work with animals and like, that's like their daily life. I've never really had cats because I think like many people I'm allergic. So I've never been able to like make that like connection with like cats. I think they're adorable. But I've just never been able to like have them. So dogs are definitely like, I just never realized like until I rescued my dog Ellie, just like how, just how much they really mean. And like when I look back over, I mean, I've noticed over the last year she's been aging. Like it's just obvious. Like you just start to tell like they're slowing down. And so I feel like I've been like mentally already preparing myself no matter, I don't know how much longer she has, but it's just like when I look back, I think like, wow, like I rescued her as You know, I was barely an adult and she's been through every every single thing in my life up to this point. And when you look back, you're like, wow! Like they've they've literally like been like the one thing that's been constant. Like they've been there with me through everything through being a ER nurse during COVID to breakups to moving. I moved from I adopted her in Arizona. You know, moving her across the country to Boston. Like it's crazy to just think like how how constant that they are. And I think that. Maybe people who don't have animals, like, don't really understand, like, they're really your family. Like, and you know, for someone like me, like, I don't want kids. Like, it's just, they're just, that's what they are. Like, they're, they're family. They're there for you. And so I think for you to be able to like capture those moments for people, it's just, it's almost hard to like put into words. Like, it's amazing. Like, cause like the pic— the pictures I have of just on my cell phone are just, are so meaningful. So to have like them professionally done, that's, that's awesome. And I think that's a great impact that you're having on people.
I love seeing the— one of the coolest things is seeing the bond between pets and their humans. I just had a Fur Mama Minis event where it was like for Mother's Day, had moms and their pets come, and just seeing like how much they love them is like amazing to see. I know people say like, I'm sure you've heard of it, where it's like, you know, for you have your whole world, but for your pet, you're their world sort of thing. And I totally believe that. And I, you know, it's awesome to see other people also feel that same way and make their You know, treat— I just love their pet so much and I love it.
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. It's, it's the best. I have my, my little, like I said, my little doodle here.
Come here, you guys. Conan.
She's, she's so tired. She's crazy. Doodles. I don't know if you ever had a doodle, but they're crazy.
I've photographed many doodles, so.
Yes. The energy is like insane. Don't like, don't let this fool you. This is not how she normally is. She's crazy. Um, but yeah. Is, is there anything that you would like people to know? Where can people reach you? Or do you only do like in the Philadelphia area? Like, how can people get in contact with you if they're wanting something like this done?
Yeah, unfortunately I live in the city without a car. I just walk everywhere. So really it's restricted to the Philly area, but my website, and I also have an Instagram that maybe you can share that you can reach me through. And I'll— I can do pet photography. I do a lot with like people and pets. So if you're getting engaged and you want pictures of your pet in the engagement, I can do that. Or again, end of life is, you know, 24/7 anytime sort of thing. And I think it's nice that with my schedule as a nurse, I have random days off, so I can do that versus working Monday through Friday. So yeah, I'll be here.
What is your Instagram handle?
It's just NGPAWPICS, so NG Paw Pics.
Perfect. All right. Is there anything else you'd like to leave us with?
Thank you so much for letting me share this. I hope this inspires other people to do something because I know people are always looking for side hustles and you want to do a side hustle that you enjoy too. And this is— I'm glad that I got to find this.
And I think something important to kind of leave people with is I think it's important to find a, you know, quote unquote side hustle. I'm sorry, my dog is like, do you want up here?
Come here.
Come here. Come on.
I have my cat up here too.
Come here. Come on.
This episode is for you.
Come on.
There she is.
It's Kona. Oh, look at the cat.
This is Tuna.
Um, anyways, what I was saying, I think it's very, I think it's very important for people to find A quote unquote side hustle that's not in nursing, like to find something that's not related to being a nurse, that's not in healthcare, and you don't even have to make money at it. Like, as long as it's something that's like bringing you passion and purpose and, you know, you can do these things to make an impact or whatever it may be, I think is really important. So I think you sharing that may give somebody else that freedom to be like, oh, you know, I don't have to, you know, I can make an impact in another way, which, which I think is important.
Yeah, I mean, if you're ever in Philly with Kona or your other dog, let me know. We'll be here.
Of course. Absolutely.
I would love some pictures. And it's not— I mean, Philly's not that far from Boston.
So it's not. Thank you so much.
From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank you for being here at Club Nurse.
I hope you gained something valuable from today's episode. And if you did, remember to share this episode with someone that you love. Follow Follow me on socials @NurseDaddies or @ColtonLord17, and be sure to follow nurse.org to stay informed with all of the hottest healthcare topics. Until next time, take care of yourself the way you take care of everyone else.
