Two nurses working together…30 years after nursing school

Have you ever thought about an old friend and wondered what happened to them? Two nurses at the W.G. “Bill” Hefner VA, in Salisbury, N.C., found each other after years a part.

Thirty years ago, Wendy Safrit (left in the photo) and Arlene Imes sat in nursing classes together. They studied and quizzed each other with flash cards. They hung out occasionally, bowling and socializing.

“At that time, we were in the largest graduating LPN class. When we graduated, we went our separate ways,” Imes said.

Wide variety of careers

Although they had typical visions of grandeur as kids, they wised up and followed their shared passion to help others. They had gone to nursing school and embarked on their careers.

“I have done all kinds of stuff,” Safrit said. “I started out at a nursing home, spending nearly 20 years in one role or another. I’ve done pediatric services of America and home health services.” She became a specialist in ventricle and tracheotomy insertions.

Imes followed a different path, beginning her career at VA shortly after graduation. But she’s come a long way as well. In addition to serving Veterans in long-term care, med-surge and rehabilitation and primary care, Imes said “I’m also the chair of the North Carolina Board of Nursing. We are protecting the public. Being able to see activities here on campus, I feel like VA is upholding the Board of Nurses mission. l was also just recently elected president of the National Association of LPNs.”

The ladies are obviously driven by their passions, changing with the landscape. Their drive and resilience is what put them back together. Safrit joined VA six years ago but recently took a job with Hefner VA’s Telehealth staff where Imes was serving. They have been making collaborative magic ever since.

Safrit now coordinates the Salisbury VA Veterans Health Resource Center (VHRC), which opened Sept. 21. VHRCs provide VA health care staff and Veterans access to education, training and guidance to effectively use smart devices that support virtual delivery of health care. She loves the job.

“It is very humbling to see these Veterans,” Safrit said. “They’re just thankful for everything you do. They thank us for being here to take care of them when we’re thanking them for their service to our country, and it’s just very humbling. I’ll be here till I retire.”

Veterans are in good hands

“It was like a flashback,” Imes said. “Wow, somebody I went to school with is actually working here with me! It was a good feeling.”

“Arlene‘s just a book of knowledge,” Safrit said. “She’s so encouraging. I know that if I need anything, call Arlene… because she knows.”

“It has been great being able to rely on this duo as part of our staff. They have all been a wonderful team and extremely impactful, especially with the implementation of the VHRC,” added Jennifer Terndrup, Salisbury VA telehealth coordinator. “VHRC means Veterans can get in-person help connecting to VA virtually, instead of trying to remedy their technical problems over the phone.”

With the caring telehealth staff in Salisbury, led by Wendy Safrit and Arlene Imes, area Veterans are well in hand.