Each year in May, The American Nurses Association celebrates the men and women who serve on a spectrum of critical roles in healthcare. The theme for 2023 is “You make a difference,” and we couldn’t agree more. From a baby’s first breath to a hospice patient’s last, and during all of the encounters in between, be them routine or unforeseen, nurses guide the way and shape the experience.
To mark National Nurses Week, we wanted to highlight just a few of the stories from the caregivers who make our health system so strong.
Caring for her community
For Ellen Ahlersmeyer, DNP, MSN, RN, CNRN, administrative director, Nursing Services, Parkview Hospital Randallia, who was a self-proclaimed accident-prone child, it was an early fascination with the medical field during her own hospital visits that led her to a career in nursing.
“I was always the person who wanted to help others,” she said. And that’s exactly what she went on to do. Over the years, she’s had opportunities to care for community members, neighbors, friends and family members, a privilege that serves as a personal reminder of her mission and purpose.
“I keep coming back because I’m always learning something and making an impact on someone’s life, no matter how big or how small.” We would argue that when you’re helping others, it’s always significant.
Thank you, Ellen, and all of the Parkview nurses who make a difference each and every day!
