Story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer
Shelley George, RN, HPI Community Hospital North, located in Oklahoma City. She serves as the relief house supervisor to ensure patients get the care they need and deserve.
George appreciates the processes Community Hospital offers so that patients are not rushed through surgery. Patients receive the fullest care possible, she said.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has given Community Hospital a 5-Star Rating. George said that patient care is our highest priority at Community Hospital.
The Medical/Surgical department has all private rooms, close and convenient to the nurses’ station. With low nurse-to-patient ratios, the nurses have the time to provide outstanding service to its patients and their families.
Patient care touches George’s life. (Story continues below)
OU Health Recruitment Event – Wednesday, Aug. 30th 4 – 7 p.m.
It’s very rewarding. Not everyone knows what you do for someone. But you know what you do for someone, and it makes you feel good,” George said. “You know how you’ve changed somebody’s life and helped them. Especially if they’ve been here a day or so, I feel I’ve made an impact with my personality or something I’ve done for them by being thorough or extra caring.”
She was a licensed practical nurse for six years and became a registered nurse in 2020. She graduated from OSU/OKC during the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of her coursework was online except for her clinical studies with SSM Health and INTEGRIS Health hospitals.
She was loving her work in orthopedic surgery when a friend persuaded her to apply at Community Hospital in 2021. George knew that nursing is a diverse career offering a variety of opportunities. And she hopes to explore those different areas of nursing throughout her career. She likes that healthcare is diverse for recruitment reasons during a shortage of registered nurses. They can teach or work in different departments such as case management.
“There’s so many areas of nursing that you have to find what’s right for you,” she explained.
Nurses fresh out of school can expect to work alongside a mentor or preceptor for a 90-day period. There are some things a nursing student will not be taught in school that they can learn on the floor, George said.
“Me, I’m very tactile. I want to tough it out and do it myself. So, they get the opportunity to fully delve into that for their 90 days,” she said. “So, they are more comfortable when taking patients on their own. It’s safer for the patients than just having someone brand new from nursing school.”
George said the staff is what impresses her the most about Community Hospital, especially the way they care for patients from the moment they check in for surgery and leave for home, George said.
Because of her soft spot for people, George has always been an empathetic person.
“I definitely feel like it has made me stronger,” she said.
George is not naive to the circle of life. Life is valuable, she said.
“Nursing makes you realize that, especially if you’re having a bad day when you see what you go through sometimes or in other places, people fighting for their lives and things like that, it makes you more positive about being appreciative about every day.”
Nursing has added more patience in her life that is needed during busy days. And George’s attention to detail and caring spirit has made all the difference.
A former patient recently returned for a follow-up appointment and remembered George. The lady was so thankful for the care she received at Community Hospital that she had 60 Bundt cakes delivered for all the nursing staff to enjoy. She signed the card, “To George and staff.”
“There are sweet little gestures. I’ve had a note before to thank me and it feels good,” she continued. “I love people and that’s why I’m in this job. I love talking to people. I love being around people. I love helping people.”
A bedside nurse should always be caring and empathetic to the patient with a positive attitude, she added. Nurses working in the operating room may not get as much patient interaction. But nurses working the med/surg floor are with their patients sometimes for 12 hours a day, George said.
George likes living life to the fullest. She and one of her best friends at work recently bought an above ground swimming pool.
“We like to shop and hang out with our friends. We’ll go out and have a nice dinner. But the pool right now is important. It’s too hot outside.”
