ER trip inspired girl's love for nursing

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  • BRRH
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Rachel van Brederode, 16, stands outside of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine alongside BRRH Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, Tonia Hale (right). After an unexpected trip to the BRRH Emergency Department, van Brederode discovered a passion for nursing. (Submitted)

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A sharp pain in her side alerted 16-year-old Rachel van Brederode that something was not quite right. 

She quickly told her father and local physician Robert van Brederode about the pain. He assessed the situation and rushed his daughter to the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Emergency Department in Spruce Pine. 

“I was impressed at how quickly the ER got me in to have my CT scan, which showed I needed my appendix removed,” Rachel van Brederode said. 

She was promptly transferred to Mission where the pediatric surgical team was ready to initiate her care. 

“They got me ready for surgery quickly and the nurses talked to me about my interests so I would feel at ease as I was rushed into surgery,” she added.

Though Rachel van Brederode did not anticipate being rushed into surgery for an appendectomy, she attributes the compassionate nursing care that she received during her visit at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Mission Hospital for sparking an interest in healthcare. 

“I want to become a nurse now because the nurses that worked with me were friendly and helped me,” Rachel van Brederode said. “This made me want to become a nurse so I can help others when they are sick.”

Tonia Hale, BRRH Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, said there is no bigger compliment for the nursing staff at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Mission Hospital than to know that the care they delivered resulted not only in a successful physical outcome for their patient, but such a positive experience that their patient now wants to help others in the same way. 

 “As nurses, we begin with compassion and respect and are tireless advocates for our patients and their families,” Hale said. “Rachel’s experience is a great testament to the incredible care that our nursing team provides at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital each and every day. Being a nurse is so much more than a profession, it’s a calling. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve our community.”

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, alongside Mission Health and hospitals across the country, celebrated National Nurses Week from May 6-12. 

“To the nurses of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and nurses everywhere, thank you for all that you do,” Hale said. “Thank you for your clinical expertise, compassionate care and genuine kindness all while under such immense pressure.”

National Nurses week comes this year during an unprecedented time in healthcare. As communities honor those nurses who have cared for COVID-19 patients during this pandemic, they also honor the nurses who have given quality, compassionate care to all patients.

Now fully healed, Rachel van Brederode shared that she is currently taking health and science classes and officially plans to pursue nursing education once she graduates high school.  

If you are either about to graduate or have been a nurse for years and want to join the Mission team, join the organization on May 20 to learn about a nursing career at any of the Mission Health locations with up to $15,000 sign-on bonuses for select roles. Learn more at bit.ly/3h8QNVx.