Local Nurses Honored For Their Hard Work

Sandra Garcia is a “notable nurse” this year. She is being honored for her diligence and dedication.

But, what is also notable about the Philippine native, she has been a nurse for only four years.

“I talked to my director,” she said, smiling. “I asked her, and I double checked with her if it’s really me.”

County supervisor John Benoit and Assemblyman Brian Nestande hosted the event Friday morning at Eisenhower Medical Center. Benoit came up with the annual celebration five years ago.

“When I visit the hospital…the nurses are the faces you get most familiar with, and they do a great job,” Benoit said.

Honoree Tina Wallum says nurses can do many things in their career. For instance, she now works as an instructor for critical care nurses.

Her advice to new nurses? “You want to prepare for the worse thing that could happen to your patient, but hope for the best,” Wallum said.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this is the best time to be a nurse. Nursing jobs are expected to grow much faster than other careers by as much as 22% by the year 2018.

“It’s a very, very fulfilling profession,” said Garcia. “But, it needs a lot of hard work and patience.”

Most of the distinguished nurses work in the desert’s three main hospitals: John F. Kennedy Hospital in Indio, Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, and Eisenhower Medical Center.

Ten others work at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center; eight are members of the Visiting Nurses Association of the Inland Counties.