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Nurses are at the heart of health care.
They are the first clinical point of contact for most patients, and probably the last before returning home.
Nurses coordinate important information surrounding patient care and work with care teams to ensure the best possible care. Often when working long hours or in high pressure situations.
National Nurses Week is celebrated every year, May 6-12 this year.
The week-long observance gives people the opportunity to thank a nurse who has had an impact on their life.
This celebration also gives nurses an annual opportunity to step back and contemplate their professional contributions, relationships and special memories.
Finding pleasure at work
Several Corewell Health The nurses recently reflected on their careers and shared their greatest joys of working as nurses.
Nancy Roberts (Latz) and Sue Bailey (Davidson) met on their first day of college at the Butterworth School of Nursing in 1976 and became fast friends.
Both chose to stay Butterworth Hospital after graduating in 1979 and worked together in labor and delivery for 44 years.
They ended their career together, retiring in 2023.
Latz said “all the last 44 years have been a joy. I consider myself lucky to have had the privilege of being present at the birth of the newborns of so many families…”
Susan Hoekstra, 41+, Mother/Baby Unit, Butterworth Hospital, echoed Nancy’s love for caring for toddlers.
“I love helping new families learn how to parent,” she said. “Teaching moms and helping them have successful breastfeeding is my passion.”
Denette Worden, 44, surgical services/interventional radiology pre-admission testing, Corewell Health in western Michigan, said these are all the families and patients whose hearts she touched along the way.
“Like flavoring ice cubes with grape juice and the patient years later remembering me and what that little act meant to her,” she said. “Or riding in an elevator with a family thanking me for the care I gave their mother, even though she died weeks later. Their gratitude touches my heart.
Meaningful links
Other Corewell Health nurses mentioned special links looking back.
Mary Brander, 49.5, 5th Floor, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital at Corewell Health, said she felt blessed to be able to make a difference in the life of a child and their family.
“It brings me joy to take care of a child and to have the families thank me at the end of my shift for the personal care that has been given to their child,” she said. “Having my son follow in my footsteps as a nurse makes me so proud. Even after almost 50 years as a nurse, I still love my job. I am blessed.”
Betty Ostafinski, 45, Cancer Research Consortium West Michigan, Reed City Hospital at Corewell Health said the greatest joy of her nursing career is being able to show compassion to people when they really need it.
“To provide this patient care that shows I care… The greatest reward is simply a smile and a thank you from the patients I have cared for,” she said. “To shake a patient’s hand and know they really appreciate my help.”
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