Five Wayne County nurses named to state's 'Great 100' list
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 9, 2008 1:46 PM
Johnson
Peedin
Pearce
Smith
Peele
Five nurses from Wayne Memorial Hospital have been named to the "Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina for 2008."
They were chosen from more than 58,000 nurses nominated for the honor by their peers and managers, then screened by a professional standards committee.
The "Great 100" is a grassroots peer recognition organization honoring the nursing profession in North Carolina by recognizing the role registered nurses play in a wide variety of settings.
While all five from Wayne County are affiliated with the hospital, two of them serve as school nurses in public schools.
Dawna Johnson is clinical director for behavioral health, with 21 years' experience. She is also a member of the Substance Abuse Task Force for WATCH and the Mental Health Association.
Donna Peedin, a supervisor in cardiac rehabilitation with 31 years' experience, is a member of the hospital's speakers bureau and presents programs for the Diabetes Support Group.
Valerie Peele, a staff development coordinator, has been a nurse for 31 years and in 2007 received a Nurse Excellence award from Wayne Memorial.
Jenny Pearce and Nannette Smith, both members of National School Nurse Association and the School Nurse Association of North Carolina, were also recognized earlier this week during the school board meeting for their service to the district.
Mrs. Pearce is a school nurse at North Drive Elementary School and also teaches N.C. nurse review courses twice a year and is an American Red Cross CPR instructor. She has been a nurse for 30 years.
Mrs. Smith serves at Meadow Lane Elementary and Greenwood Middle schools. A nurse for 19 years, she is also a first responder for the East Wayne Fire Department and teaches programs in the community on health, wellness and surgical/anesthesia issues. In 2003, she received a Nurse Excellence award from the hospital.
Wayne Memorial has had several nurses receive the distinction over the years, averaging two or three each year, officials at the hospital said.
In recognizing the latest honorees, Chief Nursing Officer Shirley Harkey said they shared several valuable characteristics -- outstanding integrity, honesty, accountability and dedication to the ideals of the nursing profession.
"Each consistently displays the highest commitment to their patients, families of patients and co-workers," she said. "And each of these dedicated nurses is extremely caring, supportive and enthusiastic about her chosen
profession."