The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

HAPPY NURSE'S DAY! Today marks the beginning of National Nurse's Week; it ends on May 12, in honor of Florence Nightingale's birthday. She is said to be the founder of nursing. National Nursing Assistant Day is celebrated in June; but our CNA's deserve recognition every day of the week. It is often said that nursing staff is the heart of healthcare; the eyes and ears of the providers; the frontline. The World Health Organization has dubbed 2020 the Year of the Nurse, and it's fair to say that the realities of the profession have been exposed in a lot of ways this year. For us here at BSMC, we don't do it for the glory. We don't come to work for recognition or praise. We come to work because caring for you and your loved ones are what makes us happy.

To become a CNA in the state of Montana, you must complete a CNA course and/or pass the State Certification test. Working as a CNA is about so much more than the skills needed to do the job. It's about the way you care for your patients. It takes patience; it takes heart; it takes compassion; it takes diligence; it takes strength of body, mind, and soul. Our CNA's care for each of the residents as if they were family because they are! Each of our CNA's go above and beyond the call to duty and offer the best they have to our residents and patients. Our current core CNA staff include; Debra Baumgarn, Lynn Faber; Denise Harmon, Robin Colyer, Quin Pegar, and Morgan Simpson.

There are many different avenues to become a nurse. You can either get an Associate Degree and become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse); an Associate Degree RN (Registered Nurse); or a Bachelor Degree RN. You must attend an accredited nursing school and pass a State Board Exam before you can work under your license. Nursing is the type of degree that you can do anything with. You can work in a hospital, clinic, long-term care facility, home health, education, research, informatics, etc.

Our nurses at BSMC get a taste of almost everything; they are versatile in their skills due to our rural setting. It is not uncommon to care for an elderly long-term care resident the same day you are treating a child in the Emergency Room. You are required to be on your toes and ready for anything at any time. Due to our small number of nursing staff, we really do, do it all. From traveling on the ambulance to caring for hospice patients, you are cared for at every step of the journey by the same group of nurses. Our core nursing team is a great group of ladies that puts just as much heart into their work as they do their own families. We value your well-being, usually above our own. In honor of Nurse's Day, please meet our nursing staff.

Ashley Allderdice, RN, DON: Ashley was born in Havre but has lived in Big Sandy for the majority of her life. She began her career at BSMC in the kitchen in 2010 and started working here as a CNA in 2011. She attended college shortly after and returned to the facility in 2016 as an RN. She became the Director of Nursing in 2018. Her favorite part of the job is "building relationships with my

patients in order to provide them with the best care possible." The residents love her because she is great!

Cheryl Bekker, RN: Cheryl drives down to Big Sandy from Havre to work the night shift. She has been doing that since 2002. She says her favorite part of the job is "the unique bonds that you form with the patients." The residents love her because she is efficient.

Jessica Dooley, RN: Jessica grew up in Wyoming but lives in Big Sandy now. She began working at BSMC in 2018. She says her favorite part of the job is "the work-family I have here. The residents and my co-workers have become a huge part of my life. Caring for others is my passion; I'm grateful to be here." The residents love her because she is smart and efficient.

Pam Gasvoda, RN: Pam has lived in Big Sandy for quite a while now. She began working for BSMC in 1988 and is currently the employee that has been with the facility the longest. Although she has worn many hats throughout her career, her current title is MDS Assessment Coordinator, where she is responsible for leading family care plan meetings. She also helps out on the floor occasionally. She says, "I truly just enjoy these lovely people we are charged with caring for. Recently I've been doing some floor staff nursing and also enjoy that interaction." The residents love her because she is friendly and considerate.

Lorraine Hanson, RN, Infection Control: Lorraine grew up in the Flathead Valley and lives in Havre now. She began working at BSMC in 2016 and began Infection Control in 2019. She says her favorite part of the job is, "the people and their commitment to the community." The residents love her because she is very good.

Samantha Potter, LPN: Samantha moved here from Byron, Michigan, to take a job at the IX Ranch. In 2015 she started with BSMC as a CNA and worked here while earning her LPN license. She graduated from school in 2017. She loves "the 12-hour shifts; it gives me the opportunity to serve our community and still have time with my family." The residents love her because she is lovely and caring.

Peggy Wenger, RN: Peggy moved to Montana from Cody, Wyoming, and resides in Havre now. She joined the BSMC team in 2017 and works the night shift. She will be retiring at the end of the month; and we are so grateful for her time here! Peggy says her favorite part of the job is "not the computer, but getting to know the residents and the people of the community." The residents love her because she is helpful.

Deb Baumgarn, CNA: Deb grew up in Iowa but has lived in Big Sandy for many years now. She began working at BSMC in 2003. Her favorite part of the job is, "the residents, I grew up with most of them!" The residents love her because she is always happy.

Robin Colyer, CNA: Robin is originally from Fremont, California, but she has made Big Sandy her home. She started here in 2018 and says her favorite part of the job is "spending time with clients and learning about them." The residents love her because she is kind.

Lynn Faber, CNA: Lynn is from Big Sandy. She works as a Personal Care Aide. She started in the facility in 2007. She says, "I love it all, it's hard to put it into words. I would have to say that being able to help the residents feel better and developing a relationship with them by making a difference in their lives. In return, I gain valuable insight from them. One thing I always said was that this job gave me the ability to better care for my loved ones." The residents love her because she is the best bath-giver and she is kind.

Denise Harmon, CNA: Denise is from Big Sandy. She started in the facility in 2007 and says her favorite part of the job is "caring for the people." The residents love her because she is quiet.

Morgan Simpson, CNA, MA: Morgan was born in Ekalaka, MT, but she has been in Big Sandy for the majority of her life. She started working here in 2019 as a CNA and just recently began working in the clinic. She says her favorite part of the job is "the residents," and her "co-workers come in a close second." The residents love her because she is cheerful.

Quin Pegar, CNA: Quin has lived here for most of her life. She began working at BSMC in the housekeeping department and became a CNA in 2019. She says her favorite part of the job is "seeing the residents every night and how much they care for my daughter; giving her candy and asking how she's doing." The residents love her because she is helpful.

There are no words to truly describe the life of a nurse or CNA. The role they play in a person's life is unique to all others. From holding the hands of women in labor and comforting their newborn child, to holding the hands of someone on hospice and comforting their loved ones; nurses are with you for every step of your journey. Today, we tip our hats to those that work here and everywhere. Thank you for all that you do." The greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel." ~Florence Nightingale