Doctors usually get all the glory and the big bucks, but it’s nurses who are the unsung heroes of the medical profession.
As a Registered Nurse for 12 years at POH Regional Medical Center, Amy Hamilton has been a loyal and dedicated foot soldier in the health care trenches. She spends her days saving lives, helping others and mentoring the next generation of nurses.
In recognition of her diligence and professionalism, the 35-year-old Oxford resident will be honored Friday as the Sixth Floor Nurse of the Year at the Pontiac hospital. The ceremony is part of National Nurses Week (May 6-12).
Hamilton, who works as a cardiac telemetry nurse, was nominated for the award by four of her co-workers.
‘The time we have is always busy, but she is always available to her fellow nurses to guide us through an unfamiliar procedure or to help us contact the right doctor,? wrote co-worker Patricia Komosinski. ‘She is compassionate and giving of herself even during times of personal strife.?
‘The day always runs smoother when Amy’s on,? wrote co-worker Sue Arnott. ‘Amy is a mentor, a teacher and a role model to new employees, students and her co-workers. She exhibits patience with people . . . She leads by example, never complains, never whines, never grumbles.?
Although Hamilton’s grateful to be honored and flattered by the award, she gave most the credit to the people she works with day in and day out.
‘I almost feel like I don’t deserve it because everybody works together to make it happen,? she said. ‘It wouldn’t be possible without all the wonderful people that I work with. You can’t be a good nurse without the people around you and I work with some of the best nurses and patient care assistants in the hospital.?
As a cardiac telemetry nurse, Hamilton, who was POH’s Employee of the Month for November 2008, spends her days dealing with patients who have recently undergone heart procedures or need some type of specially-administered medications.
Telemetry nursing involves providing care to patients by connecting them to machines that measure heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood-oxygen level and electrocardiogram information.
Those machines send all the data to a computer screen from which telemetry nurses can monitor patients and determine the best kind of care for them.
Telemetry nurses also educate patients and their families about diet, exercise, medication and activity restrictions.
A 1992 graduate of Lake Orion High School, Hamilton decided to become a nurse when her mother was involved in a severe car accident.
‘I didn’t know what was going on (at the hospital) and I felt helpless,? she said.
Determined to never feel that way again and help others in that situation, Hamilton enrolled at Oakland University to study nursing.
While in college, she began working as a nurse extern at POH in 1995 and continued until she graduated in 1997.
Upon graduation, POH immediately hired Hamilton as an RN and she’s been there ever since.
A firm believer in continuing education, Hamilton recently earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.
What effect this will have on her future career plans is unclear right now, but one thing’s for sure, she doesn’t want to give up the hands-on, face-to-face aspect of her job.
‘I can’t imagine leaving direct patient care,? Hamilton said. ‘I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’d like to stay near direct patient care.?
Considering she’s a wife and the mother of three small children, Hamilton’s done an amazing balancing act over the years between home, hospital and education.
‘Fortunately, thanks to the support of my husband and kids, I’m able to juggle a career and a family,? she said.