Nurses Recognized for 25 Years of Service During National Nurses Week

If you or a family member has visited Wilson Memorial Hospital, more than likely a nurse has provided care during your stay. And, if you’ve happened to ask the nurse how long they’ve been working at Wilson Memorial, there’s a good chance you will be impressed with their response.

Wilson Memorial employs over 200 nurses, which includes registered nurses (RN’s) and licensed practical nurses (LPN’s). Of the 200, twenty-eight of them have 25 years or more of experience as a nurse. These combined years of service exceed the 700 mark.

“All of our nurses provide outstanding patient care,” said Linda Maurer, VP of patient care services. “As we celebrate National Nurses Week, I’d like to take this time to recognize each one of them for providing compassionate care to our patients. And, for the nurses that have been serving our patients for 25 years or more, your dedication to Wilson Memorial does not go unrecognized. Your commitment and expertise has been and continues to be the backbone of our hospital.”

Wilson Memorial nurses work in a variety of settings and specialize in many different areas including, inpatient, outpatient, emergency, OB, pediatrics, surgery, home health, occupational health, and behavioral health, to name a few. All nurses are licensed and have graduated from an accredited nursing school and must meet annual continuing education requirements to remain certified.

While there continues to be reports of nursing shortages across the country, Wilson Memorial does not experience the same dramatic repercussions that many larger hospitals face. “Because we are an independent, community-based hospital, we are attractive to nurses for many reasons,” said Maurer. “One reason is because we are far enough away from the larger hospitals that nurses in our area can live and raise a family, yet also work locally within the community. Plus, a lot of times our nurses provide care for patients they have known for years,” she added. “It allows for a more personal connection on both ends, which ultimately helps our patients feel more comfortable while they are at the hospital.”

Wilson Memorial is also within close proximity to multiple colleges and universities and works closely with the different schools to provide hands-on training for nursing students. “We put a great deal of resources into working with our up and coming nurses,” said Maurer. “If we invest in our future, hopefully they in turn will consider a career at Wilson Memorial.”

The nursing team at Wilson Memorial is continually evaluating and exploring new ideas and ways to meet and exceed patient expectations when visiting the hospital. The first Shared Governance Professional Practice council meeting recently took place at Wilson Memorial. The Council focuses on the following key areas: patient safety, patient satisfaction, professional development, and policies and procedures. The goal is to establish a more effective staff-leadership partnership for decision-making amongst nursing.

“This new initiative is key for us to continue to provide quality care at Wilson Memorial,” said Maurer. “Communication is essential in our field of work and this new platform allows a voice for all of our nurses. It really helps create a team approach to how we administer care.”

Nurses Week is May 6 -12. Wilson Memorial will be recognizing and thanking all nurses during this national observance. Banners will be placed throughout the hospital displaying this year’s theme, Nurses Trusted to Care. The purpose of the week long celebration is to raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the healthcare needs of the American people.

In honor of the dedication, commitment, and tireless effort of the nearly 3.1 million registered nurses nationwide to promote and maintain the health of this nation, Wilson Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize registered nurses everywhere for the quality work they provide seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For general information about nursing at Wilson Memorial or exciting career opportunities, visit www.wilsonhealth.org.