Med Center: 10 Beats with 2 Star Nurses to Celebrate National Nurses Week!

07 May Med Center: 10 Beats with 2 Star Nurses to Celebrate National Nurses Week!

National Nurses Week continues through Wednesday, May 12. It’s a time to honor the commitment, dedication, and hard work of those in the nursing profession. Get to know two star nurses at the Telluride Med Center – Heidi Hoff, BSN, RN and Margaret Kane RN, BSN, CEN, TCRN – in the new feature “Ten Beats With …”  column.

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1. Why nursing? And was there ever a moment where it looked like you were going to grow up to be something else entirely?

HH: I didn’t decide to return to school for nursing until I was 28 or 29. I had worked my way through a variety of service industry jobs in Telluride including -barista, river guide, ski patrol and restaurant work. I was looking for a career that would fulfill me and allow me to help others. My mother was a primary care doctor and I always loved the idea of working in medicine, but feared I was not capable.

MK: I recently found something I had written in second grade saying I wanted to be a pediatric nurse when I grow up, I think I always knew I wanted to do something to help people. In high school I took a class in health occupations and shadowed a paramedic firefighter and a pediatric nurse. I made the decision in high school to go the nurse route, which led me to emergency nursing, a perfect mix of paramedic firefighter and nurse.

2. Most challenging aspect of being a nurse?

HH: It never ends.

MK: Working with people and figuring out their personalities, in the short amount of time I’m with them.

3. Where does your motivation for this work come from?

HH: I care about the health and wellness of this community

MK: I enjoy helping people.

4. How do you recharge?

HH: Getting outside whether it be skiing, biking, hiking or picnicking! Connecting with friends. Sewing!

MK: Spending time with my family and enjoying this beautiful place we call home.

5. Is there a theme song for nursing today, in this fifth season of Pandemic?

MK: Don’t stop, Don’t give up! Sung by a little girl on YouTube : )

6. Do you have a motto?

MK: Be kind. Another one fitting for nursing is, Hang in there!, I hung a poster of a cat hanging on a rope with this motto on it in the ED nurse station closet for my fellow nurses. It’s a good reminder that this is temporary.

7. Where will your next vacation be?

HH: Currently visiting family which is a cup filler for me, next vacay needs to be to water. Submerging myself in water is the ultimate refresh for me. I grew up in Seattle among lakes, sounds and the oceans and regular swimming.

MK: Washington State

8. Any good habits you picked up in the last year?

HH: Life slowed down because of COVID and because of having a newborn. This allowed me more time to focus on things that I’ve wanted to make time for but never prioritized. I got back into sewing, mostly making baby clothes for my daughter out of my old clothes… I spent time everyday working out and focusing on my own health.

MK: Wearing a mask.

Any bad habits?

HH: I still eat lots of chocolate!

MK:  Being too judgmental, working on that one.

9. What lunch waiting for you in the staff room would instantly turn any day around?

HH: Shout out to all the free and amazing food the community has sent our way!

MK: Floradora!

10. What’s in your first aid kit?

MK: Steri-strips, Zofran, Benadryl, splints, bandages, gloves, scissors, and ace wrap.

BONUS BEAT:

11. What would your 16 year old self think of you today? 

HH: That I am doing a-okay!

MK: I knew you’d be a nurse, but I didn’t know you’d live in such a cool place!