An inspirational long-term care RN

I would describe my mother, Dianne Ferguson, RN, in three ways:

A role model, a teacher and an inspiration.

ROLE MODEL

During her whole 23-year career, my mother has only worked as a nurse in long-term care because she says she forms a real bond with the residents and patients that she takes care of, as well as their families. She gets to know them and what makes them happy. That way, she can really help them. My mom tells me that one of her favorite things about her nursing job is when residents or patients are able to leave her facility, and they come back and tell her how much they miss her and how much she helped them become their normal selves again.

TEACHER

After seeing how happy she has been as a nurse during my whole life, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I have been a GNA at Courtland Gardens for about a year and a half. I’ve been taking classes and will become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) on June 19. Since I’ve been working here, I’ve come to understand why my mother always says this job is so fulfilling. I’m also getting to know the residents who live here, and I think that I’m making a difference. They like talking to me and telling me stories about their lives before they moved to the nursing home.

INSPIRATION

One of the things I love most about my mom, as a nurse and as a mother, is the way she encourages her residents and me to do our best. When we’re feeling low and think that we can’t accomplish something we have to do, she makes us feel like anything is possible. If I could say something to her now, I would thank her for setting such a great example for me and for inspiring me to go into nursing to help the people who need it the most.