Aprille Loney, RN, Preoperative Nurse – Community Hospital South
RN brings 11 years of experience and was born in Dallas Texas and moved to Choctaw
by Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
Community Hospital South campus is a full-service, outpatient day surgery hospital serving Southwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the surrounding communities including Blanchard, Moore, Newcastle, Norman, Mustang and Tuttle. Here, you will be served high-quality care by the outstanding doctors and nurses. One exceptional nurse, Aprille Loney, RN brings 11 years of experience and has been with Community Hospital for two years.
Aprille was born in Dallas Texas and moved to Choctaw, Oklahoma when she was four years old. “I can still remember how I wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl,” Aprille recalls. “I thought my teacher was really cool,” she added. “As I got older, I decided I wanted to be a nurse. After graduating high school, I knew nursing would my career. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma,” Aprille said.
“My first job as a nurse was at Norman Regional where I worked in the step-down units. I enjoyed my job there, but after working in the same environment for nine years, I felt ready for a change. When I joined Community Hospital, I could tell its smaller size suited me well. Despite being a smaller facility we stay incredibly busy, which keeps the pace just right for me.
We all get along well and have formed a great team. The teamwork makes a great significant difference in our daily work life,” Aprille said.
Asking why she wanted to be a nurse, Aprille replied, “It makes me feel good knowing that I am helping people. I know it is a rewarding job.” Aprille went on to describe some of her daily duties. “I work in preoperative getting the patients ready for their surgery. This includes paper work, vitals, getting their history and background, starting their IV, making sure everything is ready for surgery. All of us nurses rotate our duties, whether it is preparing another patient for surgery or checking on the patient in recovery. We just want to take care of our patients the best way we can,” she explained.
When discussing the qualities a nurse should possess, Aprille emphasized the importance of compassion and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively for their patients. She said, “Compassion allows a nurse to connect with patients on a personal level, providing comfort and understanding during their most vulnerable times. Prioritization ensures that the most critical needs are addressed promptly, which can make a significant difference in patient outcome.”
Aprille finds the most challenging part of being a nurse is when she becomes too deeply involved with her patients and the day’s work. This can sometimes become overwhelming and emotional. Despite her years of experience, there are moments when she still feels like she still doesn’t know enough. However, it is these times that she reminds herself to stay strong and embrace the opportunity to continue learning and growing in her profession.
When asked what advice she would give to someone entering the medical field, Aprille replied, “If you’re considering nursing as a career, you need to stick with it. Don’t get discouraged and never give up. Be persistent and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Study hard and learn as much as you can.”
One of the most important lessons that Aprille learned as a nurse is that people should never take their health for granted and should always be thankful for what they have. Reflecting on this, she said, “I’ve seen how fragile health can be and how quickly things can change. It’s a reminder to appreciate the good health we have while we have it.” She added, “I am truly thankful that I can be a nurse and help patients on their journey to recovery. It is a privilege to care for them and support them as they regain their health.” This perspective has not only shaped her approach to nursing but also reinforced her commitment to providing compassionate and dedicated care to every patient she encounters.
Aprille is married and has three daughters. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, attending her two youngest daughters’ soccer games, and spending time outdoors.
For more information about Community Hospital South visit https://www.communityhospitalokc.com.
