Year of the Nurse
The World Health Organization designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nurses and midwives play a vital role in our society. They are the people who devote their lives to caring for our children, mothers, fathers, and elderly in our community. No matter the day or circumstance, nurses are there to make a difference.
“Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor has many great nurses. Each and every one of them are dedicated and resilient, ensuring everyone has the care they need,” stated Sarah Griggs, executive director.
Meet our nurses. Find out why they became nurses and what is their “why.”
Chris Armstrong, RN
Nurse since 1985
Why I became a nurse: “My great aunt was a nurse, and that’s all I have ever wanted to be. I started working (volunteering) as a candy striper at William Newton Hospital when I was 14. Then I became a nurse aide at age 16. After graduating from Winfield High School, I went to Fort Hayes State University for my Bachelor’s Degree. I have never wished that I had done anything differently.”
My why: “The scope of my job position changed during the height of the COVID pandemic. The MDS coordinator/case manager duties are typically very busy and require significant multi-tasking. But, when things slowed down due to empty beds, fewer appointments and an altered meeting schedule, that gave me time to give more attention to my duties. This included keeping things better updated, making more in depth reports and schedules and changing the way some things are done to make them more efficient.”
Tanya Baker, LPN
Nurse since 2008
Why I became a nurse: “A movie inspired me to help change people’s lives. I saw how nursing helped the individual in the movie, and I thought I could do that.”
My why: “Because not everyone has family. We are their caregivers, but we also become their family.”
Tonya Baker, RN
Nurse since 2003
Why I became a nurse: “I was working in manufacturing and was laid off for the second time. I had been a CNA for several years and had started my [pre-requisites] for nursing school. The lay-off became my motivation for continuing my education. At the same time, my dad had gotten sick. I wanted to gain more knowledge of what was going on with him and not have to rely on outside help.”
My why: “I like to think I am good at what I do, and I make a difference for the residents and staff.”
Cammy Boone, RN
Nurse since 2000
Why I became a nurse: “My Grandpa Ball had a stroke shortly after I graduated from high school. I was so grateful to the nurses for everything they did for him and I just knew that was something I wanted to do. I have the natural instincts to be a caregiver and desire to help people. I haven’t regretted one day of choosing the nursing profession!”
My why: “I think because I will always have the desire to help people every day. Each day can be a new challenge to learn something new.”
Tammy Bratcher, LPN
Nurse since 2015
Why I became a nurse: “I love to help people. I felt nursing was a rewarding career, where I could make a difference in someone’s life.”
My why: “I love nursing. I love going to work and seeing my residents, who are my family. I love seeing how I make a difference in their lives.”
Tammy Case, RN
Nurse since 1998
Why I became a nurse: “My grandmother was a nurse and I spent a lot of time with her while she was working. At that time, I realized I love the elderly, and I wanted to help them.”
My why: “I think it is more important now than ever to serve the elderly and take care of them. Now that visitation is restricted, I think they need us to help with their communication more now than ever. We are a team, and I am not letting them down.”
Nancy Crane, LPN
Nurse since 1978
Why I became a nurse: “I became a nurse to help and care for individuals who are physically and mentally incapable of self-care to maintain as healthy of a life as possible.”
My why: “To ensure others have a quality of life to the best of my power and are free of COVID- 19 by protecting myself and protecting the residents from others.”
Kayla Crull, RN
Nurse since 2013
Why I became a nurse: “I have always felt the need to help people even when I was a small child.”
My why: “It is more important now than ever to be there for our residents. To continue to help them during this really hard time.”
Cheva Delgado, LPN
Nurse since 2018
Why I became a nurse: “I started working in dining services and discovered that I enjoyed visiting with the residents. Then I worked my way up to become a nurse.”
My why: “I realize that our residents still need us regardless of what is going on in the world. The residents still need our care and attention.”
Linda Elwood, RN
Nurse since 1981
Why I became a nurse: “To provide care to persons who were hospitalized, injured, disabled, and dying. There are many areas of nursing that a nurse can specialize in to assist with meeting the needs of patients.”
My why: “Nursing continues to be my passion.”
Tanya Hayes, LPN
Nurse since 2000
Why I became a nurse: “I have always been someone who likes to help others and nursing is the perfect way to do that. I love to see people smile when you do even the smallest thing for them.”
My why: “Why do these things even have to happen? The world has enough horrible things going on already and now COVID, lootings, shootings, etc. It’s just very scary and sad.”
Colby Martin, RN
Nurse since 2009
Why I became a nurse: “To be able to help others and to have a career I loved that would allow me to provide for my family.”
My why: “If not me, and others like me, then who? Nurses are needed more than ever. We cannot quit when it gets tough.”
Kallee Mora, LPN
Nurse since 2019
Why I became a nurse: “I have always enjoyed taking care of others. I love the feeling when I get to help others in need. Working in health care has taught me so much already and I can’t wait to learn more.”
My why: “I try to stay calm, not only for myself but for my coworkers and residents. Stress does no good, it has a negative impact on yourself and others as well.”
Ryan Reimer, LPN
Nurse since 2020
Why I became a nurse: “I care for my residents. I became a nurse because I wanted to be a bigger part of that, participate more in the care of my residents.”
My why: “The COVID situation is par for the course. This is why we became nurses. Someone has to continue caring for the residents during a pandemic.”
Anna Robinson, RN
Nurse since 2003
Why I became a nurse: “As a little girl of 6 or 7 years old, I use to visit residents while my mom attended in-services where she worked. That is where my love for the elderly started. I enjoy hearing their stories, caring for them, making them laugh, and showing them compassion.”
My why: “Making sure I bring a smile and make them feel good, especially since their family and friends are unable to be with them at this time.”
Kelli Rommel, LPN
Nurse since 2005
Why I became a nurse: “I had a desire to become a nurse since I was a young child. Desire to help. So, that was my goal in life.”
My why: “My residents.”
Sarah Standerfer, LPN
Nurse since 2013
Why I became a nurse: “I was initially going to school to be a history teacher. Then my grandmother became sick. While I was helping to take care of her, I realized the nursing field was what I really wanted to do.”
My why: “I like to help people and I feel I am doing something important.”
Miki Struthers, LPN
Nurse since 2017
Why I became a nurse: “Like many others, family is everything to me. The love, support, and encouragement are a few of the vital things that keep us going. I am the middle child in a very close family with nine other siblings and our bond has stayed strong throughout our whole lives. My parents have instilled hard work, and did a fantastic job raising every one of us! My mother’s love and compassion is unmatchable, as well as endless. Sadly, with more family there is more to lose. The hardest thing I have dealt with is losing two brothers, and that taught me so many things about life. I have always wanted to be a nurse, for longer than I can remember. However, my family are the ones who have planted, watered, and helped grow the qualities and values that I carry with me today.”
My why: “I am a nurse today to give my love and support and encouragement along with my knowledge to help others. I carry my hard work and compassion with me and always remember what it is like on the other side—especially when dealing with the hard times. I chose this profession for a reason, and even a pandemic will not keep me from my duties as a nurse.”
Nicole Swallow, LPN
Nurse since 2016
Why I became a nurse: “I like taking care of people. I like to help people do the best they can.”
My why: “Simply, my residents. I am here for the residents.”
Lexie Tennant, RN
Nurse since 1982
Why I became a nurse: “Because my mother was a med aid at Newkirk Nursing Home for 10 years, and I would go there and spend time with the residents and help her when I was growing up.
My why: “To make a difference in the life of our residents and to provide a high standard of care. To keep our residents safe from COVID 19.”
