RN provides peace and love
By James Coburn, staff writer
Bethany Witte, RN, sees God’s hands at work during her service as an ambulatory surgery nurse at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest, she said. Witte does pre-op and post-op nursing including assisting with colonoscopies during her day shift.
“I get to be his hands and feet to spread His love and make people feel better,” Witte said.
Her entire 24-year career of nursing has been spent at the Midwest City hospital she calls home.
“You know the doctors and nurses on the floor. It just feels right,” she said. “Everybody’s friendly and you know your people.”
Witte’s path to an Associate of Nursing degree included the Moore-Norman Technology Center, Oklahoma City Community College, and Rose State College in Midwest City. Her experience includes med/surg neurological nursing, and cardiology. In October she moved to day surgery.
The staff is united with great teamwork, Witte said. She likes the Christian based mission of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest that she shares with patients who are receptive to prayer.
“It’s nice to have that as well — to be there when they’re scared — to be with them and talk with them,” Witte said. “It’s nice to meet with people and see people to make their day better.”
She prepares patients for surgery, answers their questions, and gets their consent forms signed. Nurses empathize with patients fears and lets them know their anxiety is completely natural.
“I pray with them if they want you to pray for them,” she continued. “Some want an encouraging word or an encouraging verse.”
Witte sees that patients get the lab work they might need or an electrocardiogram before sending them to surgery. Upon their recovery the patient returns to Witte, who helps them get ready to return home.
Patients return feeling sleepy or wide-awake. But they are relieved their surgery is completed. A family member or friend might be with them to help them remember their discharge instructions as Witte explains what to watch for and all the things to do.
She generally sees three to five patients a day for surgery. On average she will assist with 12-18 patients there for an endoscopy.
She recalled a recent patient whose surgery was delayed beyond her shift. Witte was about to go home when she learned it was time for his procedure. So, she decided to stay.
“He was so scared, just super nervous and no peace,” she explained. “I was able to talk with him pray with him. He was from Korea, and I had time to write a phrase in Korean for him. I wrote a card and gave it to him. That cheered him up and made him feel more peace. It turned out he was a Korean pastor.”
She saw him the next morning after his overnight stay. She gave him a devotional book about Jesus Christ and a book about anxiety.
“Things I felt the Lord was leading me to give him,” Witte said. “I stayed in contact with them and they brought me flowers later. They told me how much that meant to them. You could tell God had his hand in it, and that I was supposed to help him and be able to make his day awesome.”
Such experiences in life carry over throughout her day. Witte said it lets her know that the little things she can do matter more than she may have known.
“When you get word back that it was monumental to them or just so important, life changing or touching, that makes you keep going and realize your little words of encouragement are bigger things to them,” she said.
Her experiences influence her life when she goes out in the community by being bold and unafraid to reach out to people.
“I try to encourage them and pray with them — listen to them and empathize — because it matters more than you know. Try to be there for them because everyone has something going on that we don’t realize,” she said.
She’s a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder and loves that they won the NBA championship. At home she relaxes by watching movies and hanging out with family, including her two children, ages 17,18, and 21. Her daughter’s best friend is thinking about a nursing career.
“She’d be great,” Witte said. “I love it, it’s a great job. There are so many opportunities in different fields. It’s awesome.”
SSM Health has been supportive in her career by paying for her education to obtain an RN license.
“I do appreciate where we’re at, that we have the supplies and resources and staff that we need,” she said. “I don’t feel like it’s all about money where I work. Money is a factor in any job, but it doesn’t feel like it’s driven that way. So, that’s very nice. You just want to care for the people.”
