SwedishAmerican Hospital issued the following announcement on March 2.
Marilyn Harleman said it has been a huge privilege to be a nurse and spend her entire career at Swedes. “Its home,” she said fondly. “SwedishAmerican has always felt like home. I went to school here, I was treated well and it has been a great organization to work for.” Marilyn is one of a small group of nurses still working in the hospital who can say they graduated from our nursing school. Marilyn began as a nursing student in 1974 and was part of the last graduating class in 1977.
“Over the past 40 years, nursing education has changed,” she said. “I thought SwedishAmerican’s diploma program was a great program. We worked here at the hospital and we did our training here—everything was here. We had great instructors. At that time, a degree from a four-year college wasn’t as prominent.”
After Marilyn graduated, she worked on the 9th floor for 11 years and her roles involved staff to interim nurse manager. Over the years, her roles also included staff nurse, charge nurse and chart/interview nurse. Today, Marilyn is retiring from our Outpatient Surgicare Center where she has worked since 1988. She’s now looking forward to more quilting, spending time with family and friends and volunteering at Serenity Hospice and Home as part of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs pet therapy team. “There is a great need for this service in nursing homes,” Marilyn said. “Working as part of the therapy team is my passion and Serenity is such a great facility.”
Marilyn has some parting words of wisdom for all of the nurses starting their careers. “Be dedicated and proud of what you do,” she said. “Our service is to our patients and that’s what nursing is all about. Be an advocate for your patients.”
Thank you for your many years of service, Marilyn! We wish you all the best in your retirement. #CloseLikeFamily
Original source can be found here.
Source: SwedishAmerican Hospital
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