Congratulations to the Best Nurse In Nebraska -- Nancy Anderson, St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Nancy has been actively involved in nursing for over 30 years. During that time Nancy received special training in Fort Sam Houston. She and another nurse brought that training back to St Elizabeth's and initiated the first Burn Center. Her time at the burn center was spent caring for the worst injured patients while being at the forefront of new medicine and techniques. After operating in several positions at Our Lady of Lords hospital in Norfolk she was promoted to the director of nursing. For the short time she spent there she was a strong advocate for her employees, looking after there welfare and putting them first, She knew from experience that a nurse who has the backing of others will do and provide the highest quality of nursing care possible. During the time as an administrator she worked with the Norfolk Fire Division and educated firefighters in how to provide new Advanced Life Support treatments. This program led to Paramedics on the Norfolk Fire Division and ultimately to better care for any one that needed the services. Nancy then moved back to her nursing roots at St. Elizabeth's hospital working as an RN BSN in the Emergency Department. Over the years Nancy has served on many committees, all with the intent to better the outcomes of the patients. Nancy would never complain when the work load became tough, understaffed on a busy night, Nancy would just do what had to be done. All the while not sacrificing quality time spent with the patient. Nancy is an avid educator and produced and taught many good training topics, although her best training came from those lucky enough to be able to watch and learn. Despite her great clinical knowledge, Nancy has a gift for reading the people she is responsible for. She could anticipate the direction in which her patient's condition would follow. Nancy reported her findings to the Physicians who had ultimate trust in her clinical judgment and thus correct treatments were ordered and carried out by Nancy and the other excellent nursing staff. Nancy has always taken on extra duties, not for more pay, but for pride in the job. Nancy would volunteer for some projects that no one wanted, because Nancy looked at them as a challenge. Her biggest asset to the Profession of Nursing is her ability to teach and pass on her knowledge. And most importantly teach the younger nurses bedside manor. Many people today, dead or alive are grateful for "that one nurse" who spent hours talking about family's because they had no family present. Nancy held hands of children because a parent was not there or too scared to see there child in pain. Nancy would argue with Physicians and Specialists because she did not see that her patient was getting the BEST possible care available. Nancy has always has had a pro-active attitude, a lets fix this before it becomes really broken mindset. Her ability to speak bluntly to teenagers who got hurt while causing trouble, speak and educate adults who were not compliant with there medications , calm and relax the husband of an elderly wife who has just went to surgery with a little chance to survive. These words she would speak were at times harsh, and on the contrary they were comforting and encouraging. Nancy is always able to get the message across, coax a smile and the occasional tear. Those patients taken care of by Nancy may not know her name, but they know how scared they were and how alone they felt until Nancy was assigned as there nurse. This is what Nancy did at home and at work, she provided 100% for everyone else, not giving herself any consideration. A great nurse, true patient advocate and an instant member of anyone's family. Someone who I know is the BEST NURSE in NEBRASKA!