No one likes to get hurt or feel sick, but it happens. At VA, we want our Veterans to feel as comfortable as possible, even during the toughest times.
Providing an excellent health care experience to our nation’s heroes begins with recruiting a first-class team of professionals who have a passion for what they do. Kathy Lawrence and Leslie Davis are nurse recruiters for the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System and their mission is to find the best quality nurses to care for our Veterans.
Davis and Lawrence put together small gifts of appreciation for nursing staff.
Lawrence first realized she wanted to be a nurse while sitting in an Intensive Care Unit with a family member where she observed nurses in action caring for patients. It was that moment a seed of curiosity was planted that spanned into a fulfilling 25-year career, many of which have been dedicated to the care of our nation’s Veterans.
She began her VA career as an inpatient nurse manager at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center where she loved working directly with Veterans on the inpatient unit. It was her passion for VA nursing that led to her current role as a nurse recruiter.
“Our Veterans deserve the best nurses in the nation.”
“Working on behalf of the Veteran population is a privilege,” said Lawrence. “Our Veterans deserve the best nurses in the nation.”
Davis is new to her role as a nurse recruiter. She’s passionate about recruiting quality nurses who are looking for a place to make a difference. She has been a nurse for eleven years and has a special place in her heart for VA health care.
“I grew up within the walls of VA,” said Davis. “My grandpa was a WWII Veteran and frequented the Jack C. Montgomery VA for treatment. I did not come from a family of nurses. VA was the only experience I knew in health care. I decided after two semesters of clinical rotations here that this would be my forever job. I love representing VA and all the wonderful things we bring to the table.”
Each year, nurses are recognized across the country for the crucial role they play in Veterans’ long-term, holistic health.
“We get to be cheerleaders for nursing.”
Lawrence and Davis have been working together on small gifts of appreciation for local celebrations to spotlight nurses who go the extra mile day in and day out to make a lasting difference in the lives of our Veterans and their families.
“We get to be cheerleaders, voices for nursing, and leaders,” said Lawrence. “Nurse recruiting is just as much about retaining our excellent staff as it is finding new staff.”
Davis added, “I am very excited to be a part of lending efforts to retain our current and exemplary nursing staff through support, engagement and meaningful recognition.”
While all staff at VA play a vital role in keeping our Veterans healthy and happy, this month we celebrate our VA nurses. Thank you for all you do in support of the VA mission and our nation’s heroes.
“The population you serve in VA is the most grateful in the nation,” said Lawrence. “While we owe our Veterans a debt we could never repay, it is the gratefulness of the Veterans we serve who make our work so very meaningful. Follow your passion. If you have a passion to serve Veterans, VA is the employer of choice for you!”
If you are interested in a Nursing Career at VA, learn more at: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Careers/Nursing.
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