by Vickie Jenkins, Staff Writer
The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital is a private non-profit hospital, offering 24-hour medical care, comprehensive rehabilitative therapies, respiratory care and special education.
Here at the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, you will get the utmost care from the doctors, nurses, therapists, etc. Meet Carrie Sommer, RN, Clinic Nurse Manager. She has been a nurse for 20 years and has worked here at the hospital for 5. She loves working in such a wonderful environment, surrounded by loving, caring individuals.
Carrie grew up in Bethany, OK. “I still live in Bethany,” she commented. “Apparently, I am very fond of everything here in Bethany, especially working here,” she smiled. Carrie went to school at OSU OKC. “After graduating, my first job as a nurse was at Deaconess Hospital working in the Orthopedic Unit. That is where I felt like I got some good experience working in a hospital setting. I do need to give credit to two of my mentors while I was in school. Their names are Beverly and Antina and they both kept me going when the times got rough. They were always there for me and I appreciate them helping me at that time.”
Asking Carrie if anyone influenced her to become a nurse, she replied, “I knew that I always wanted to help people but I wasn’t sure what to do. At the time, my husband was a nurse, working at Children’s Hospital in the ER. I saw the way he cared for the patients, etc. and I’m pretty sure it was because of him, I wanted to go to nursing school and become a nurse too. So, I guess it was my husband that had such an influence on my life,” she smiled. “That was over 20 years ago, and I am still doing what I like to do,” she added.
What qualities should a nurse have if he or she is going into the medical field? I ask Carrie. “Well, I definitely think a nurse needs to have patience. I know sometimes, that is a rare quality to possess but nurses needs patience. A nurse needs to be open-minded, knowing that sometimes, the unexpected happens, and you just have to accept and adjust when you are in the moment. Then, there’s the obvious one, caring for people. That is definitely a requirement.”
Asking Carrie what her favorite part of her job is, she replied, “My favorite part of my job is the fact that I get to work with kids of all ages here. I love seeing the kids grow up, accomplishing their challenges after they have spent numerous hours working on their goals. It is so awesome to see the kids take baby step after baby step, trying as hard as they can, reaching their goal, accomplishing their challenges.”
How would you describe yourself in 3 words? “Oh, I would say understanding. I am also a very compassionate person and I am very straight forward. I think that is the best way to handle certain situations.”
Carrie has been married for 27 years and they have 2 grown children, ages 20 and 22. Her hobbies include working out and going to the gym 6 days a week. “I have set a goal and I am trying to follow it through,” she added.
Asking Carrie what advice she would have for someone going into the medical field, she replied, “I would definitely tell them to be ready for change. The medical field is always growing and expanding in a good way, like no other.”
“One of the most precious gifts you can give someone is to give your time. I am well aware of that and I love the fact that I can spend time with the kids and give them tender loving care. The most precious gift they give me is their smile. I love it when their faces seem to light up with pride and wonder, and then, there comes that smile on their face. What a sight!”
Carrie is a loving, caring nurse who believes in being the best nurse she can be. She is continuing to give and receive blessing each and every day.
