With National Nurses Week running from May 6-12 this year, many in the community are taking time to thank the local nurses who serve the community.
While nursing is certainly a labor of love, it wasn’t the original goal for some local nurses like Della Miller of Green Mountain who aspired to be a teacher.
“God had a different plan for me,” Miller said.
That plan took off when Linda Pitman offered her a job at a local nursing home a week after she graduated high school. She went on to get her CNA license shortly after.
“It was hard work and very challenging,” she said. “But I loved it. I learned skills that helped me transition to the nursing field. Caring for others and families in my community had my heart.”
Miller has worked at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital for over two decades.
For others like Spruce Pine’s Kristi Lankford, nursing was always the goal.
Lankford started her healthcare career as a phlebotomist and quickly confirmed that patient care was her calling. She went on to spend time in the Intensive Care Unit, surgery and oncology.
“I believe God called me to be a nurse,” Lankford said. “Thank yous are always appreciated, but I don’t need that to validate my service to others. I love what I do and will give the best care regardless.”
For many local nurses, it’s serving the community that drives them.
“Working at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital allows me to take care of patients from my community and I feel like our patients are comforted by seeing familiar faces in the Emergency Department,” said Rebecca Hensley, a local nurse from Yancey County. “I know that when I’m having a busy, tough shift and a patient tells me that they were pleased with their care, it instantly improves my day.”
The demand for nurses spiked during the pandemic when the entire healthcare field was thrust into a demanding, unprecedented outlook. Incentives like the Mission Health Daisy Award, given to nurses who excel in their care, helped keep nurses like Sherri Peterson of Micaville motivated.
Peterson got a Daisy Award in 2020 and said she was “humbled” to know the community recognized her efforts.
“We really appreciate all that we receive during Nursing Week, no matter how big or small,” she said. “It’s always nice to be surprised and to feel appreciated.”
During Nursing Week, Blue Ridge Regional treats its nurses to special food and activities that help spotlight them and show them they’re appreciated. BRRH CEO Tonia Hale said it’s all about treating them like family.
“We are honored to have such a fantastic team to work alongside every day,” Hale said. “We are so proud of the exceptional patient care they deliver.”