Photo By Jennifer Scales | Taneisha Crockett, an LPN in the surgical clinic of the Columbia VAHCS, shows off her...... read more read more
The aromas of popcorn, corn dogs, cotton candy and homemade baked goods filled the Poat Auditorium May 9 in the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center as the acknowledgements for the 2019 Nurse’s Week ‘4 Million Reasons to Celebrate’ came to an end.
The carnival themed Nurse’s Night Out gave staff of all shifts a chance to mix and mingle over good food and great conversation, some who don’t get a chance to really see each other during their normal shifts.
Darlene Holmes, registered nurse and cardiology case manager, shared thoughts of her peers and the nurse’s week recognitions.
“We are always taking care of others, rushing about throughout the day making sure everyone is okay,” Holmes said. “Nurses don’t often get recognized enough, so taking a week to bring who we are and what we do to the forefront is the biggest event of the year for the registered nurses and licensed practical nurses here in the Columbia VA Health Care System.”
Holmes has 33 years of nursing service, having begun as an LPN. “The VA has supported me throughout my career,” Holmes added. “I always wanted to be a nurse. For anyone who desires to become one, I would suggest they come with flexibility and being receptive to change.”
Baked goods are just one of many attractions one could find at fairs and carnivals, along with blue ribbon winners. This tradition followed suit as the nurses prepared homemade items which were awarded placements based upon the judging of several members of the Dorn leadership. Judging by Director/Chief Executive Officer David Omura, Associate Executive Nurse Andrea Boyd, and Associate Director Jeffrey Soots awarded 1st place to Taneisha Crockett’s Strawberry Blueberry Cheesecake, 2nd place to Arletha Toland’s Banana Pudding, and 3rd place to Anna Castro’s Flan.
Crockett and Toland were both overjoyed with their awards.
Crockett, who is an LPN, said she has been winning in baking contests since the seventh grade. “I guess this could be a second career for me as I have won awards from Florida to California, but I enjoy nursing a bit more.”
“I have never won any baking awards before,” Toland said. “But I guess it must be the fact that I use fat free and low-fat products which may have helped me win.”
Licensed practical nurse Ferris Corbett was in the mix with his fellow nurses. With 30 years as a nurse and 11 of those years at Dorn, Corbett said, “It’s great to see nurses supporting nurses and for the VA to give the recognition.”
Before the line dancing began to close out the events for the evening, Associate Director Pt. Care/Nursing Services, Ruth Mustard, added words to the nurses’ present. “This is a great day and time to be in the VA,” Mustard said. “Our vets mean a lot to us, and you should always be proud of what you do.”
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2019 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 323938 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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