Following a hospital stay, nearly every patient has a story about a special caregiver: their comforting touch, their listening ear, their warm smile or their ability to remember the name of a grandchild or a favorite pet. Nurses play an important role as caregivers, and much more.
“Nurses are remarkable people,” says Tim O’Neal, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center CNO said in a press release. “They have a passion for caring, and a commitment to quality and patient safety. They work tirelessly to ensure that our patients’ needs are met, and seldom get the recognition they deserve. They want to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
More than 3.1 million registered nurses help to save lives and maintain the health of people around the country. At PBRMC, hospital officials say they are an integral part of keeping Poplar Bluff and surrounding communities healthy.
National Nurses Week, May 6-12, is a time set aside to highlight the many ways that nurse’s work to improve health care. The annual recognition, sponsored by the American Nurses Association, is timed to coincide with National Nurses Day, May 6, and the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is known as the “founder of modern nursing.” This year’s celebration theme is “rooted in strength.”
Christine Foster has been a nurse with PBRMC for 28 years. Foster shares her love of nursing comes from “wanting to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s the patient or the family, during the best and worse times of their lives.”
She adds, “Sharing my life experiences to help someone understand what is happening during hard times and what to expect after they leave my care is why I became a nurse.”
Currently at PBRMC, there are more than 400 nurses who provide care for patient’s everyday throughout the hospital, specialty clinics, and emergency room.
“Nursing is a calling to place the needs of others first and to give without question. I am honored to lead an organization that has so many dedicated nurses to give this care, compassion, and dedication to others,” said Rick Naegler, CEO. “Thank you for all that you do for our community every day, you are truly a blessing to health care.”