Portrait of a Tender (#11) - Sharon - Nursing Professional Development Specialist

"I've always been a caretaker.  That's who I am." says Sharon, her bright blue eyes shining with a certain comfort in this knowing.  After giving birth to her twin boys, Sharon found her true calling and decided to be a labor and delivery nurse. She has been working with mothers and babies at SMJH for 27 years now.  Although she took on a new role in nursing professional development several years ago, she still finds time to help when staffing is low and fills in as a bedside nurse.  "Being present at the bedside helping women do what is often the hardest thing they have ever done... Being a part of this sacred time where women are simultaneously  the most vulnerable and the most powerful... I just fell in love with it."

In her current role, Sharon has the opportunity to share this love with new nurses who are just starting out and works hard to ensure that a culture of normalcy and empowerment  surrounding birth continues to take precedence at SMJH.  She emphasizes that "being present at your patients' bedside, being able to make them feel safe, and actively listening to them is what really matters." She is optimistic that this practice is still possible in corporate healthcare, and  they are making it a priority at the Birthing Center at SMJH.

The pandemic has produced two years worth of nursing school graduates who have had  little to no experience in the hospital due to Covid restrictions.  Nursing students normally spend  a lot of "clinical" time working with nurses on the job. Due to Covid restrictions, most hospitals did not allow nursing students, so new grads are going to need a lot of extra training and support when  hired.  Sharon will be doing her best to ensure these nurses learn the art of nursing as well as the skills, with passion and compassion leading the way.