Nurses Week Honoring one of our longest-working nurses 60 years (and counting) in Nursing

Lorraine Sparrow is approaching her 60th year of working with Adventist HealthCare. She started her career in nursing at the former Washington Adventist Hospital, which became White Oak Medical Center, and transferred to Shady Grove Medical Center when it opened in 1979.

She began her career as a float pool nurse and spent many hours working on all units, treating all types of illness. Many years ago, “an RN filled many different roles,” said Lorraine. “We were respiratory therapists, dietitians, housekeepers, and so on.” Lorraine remembered working wherever help was needed rather than keeping to a specialty like most nurses do today.

Lorraine has seen big changes in healthcare through her years in nursing. One is an increase in the use of disposable items, such as plastic syringes, paper dressing gowns and plastic bedpans. Lorraine has also noticed the increase in medications and the innovative ways in which doctors now administer them. Injections used to be the standard, she said. Today, IV and oral options are used just as frequently.

The years have brought plenty of change, but Lorraine continues to work and believes strongly in theologian John Wesley’s model of “Do all the good you can, all the while you can.” She never thought about pursuing another career— she thought helping others as a nurse would be more rewarding than any other occupation.

“I believe I am fulfilling an important mission,” said Lorraine. “Now, I work by calling patients after their discharge to check in and let them know we care about them.” Being able to connect with patients is one of Lorraine’s favorite parts about being a nurse, and she finds it most fulfilling when she can comfort patients, calm their anxieties and help them heal.

Lorraine finds that knowledge, skills and responsiveness to patient needs are vital aspects to being successful in nursing. “How you deliver care, your compassion and your understanding of how they feel matters greatly,” said Lorraine. Nursing has taught her that each person is an individual and has specific needs. It is a nurse’s duty to find out what those are and deliver that level of care.

“Nursing is hard work,” Lorraine said, while offering advice to younger nurses or those considering a career in nursing. “But it is worth it if you have made someone’s day a bit better by relieving their pain or giving them comfort.”