Charlotte Bland ALMH Nurse of the Year [July 27, 2010]  Twenty years ago, Charlotte Bland would not have been able to tell you where she'd be in 2010. Freshly certified as a registered nurse, the Charlotte of 20 years past was struck by all the opportunities awaiting her in the nursing field -- something that continues to amaze her today. "There are so many different areas of expertise even beyond hospitals or nursing homes, including schools, companies and research centers," she says. "There is something for everyone."

Now a seven-year veteran of the obstetrics department at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Bland has shown that she knows how to take advantage of all of her opportunities -- a skill that when coupled with her love for her work, led to her selection as Nurse of the Year.

It was her "initiative in seeking opportunities to improve the patient care experience" that prompted Bland's nominators to suggest her for the award. They also lauded her "professionalism in her nursing practice, willingness to learn new role responsibilities, and calm and tireless energy."

LaVerne Landers, director of nursing at ALMH, says that Bland has "the unique ability to anticipate and meet the needs of those she cares for and those she works beside -- both of which are essential to great outcomes for our patients and their families."

"Charlotte represents nursing as a profession at ALMH by her excellence in patient care and her servant's heart," Landers added.

Bland, a Lincoln native, received her nursing degree from Lincoln Land Community College. Now a Hartsburg resident, she has three children and became a grandmother to her first grandson in March.

Before joining the obstetrics team at ALMH in 2003, Bland worked on oncology and surgical floors at different facilities. She enjoys that working at a smaller hospital has allowed her to get to know her co-workers from other departments.

"It is nice that when I pick up the phone to contact other departments, I know who I'm talking to," she said.

But above all, Bland credits her fellow obstetrics nurses with making her excited to come to work each day.

"OB is like my family and I love what I do," she said. "ALMH is truly a great place to work."

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]