For Valerie Wubben, a registered nurse who works for Trinity Regional Medical Center in the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation unit giving hope and help to patients who have been given a second chance at life, is the heartbeat of her job.
"I take care of patients that have had heart attacks, bypass surgery, or have had balloons or stents placed in their coronary arteries," Wubben said. "I see these patients in the hospital right after any of that has happened."
Wubben, originally from Dike, said she was influenced to move to Fort Dodge to attend Iowa Central Community College for nursing because of her mother.
"My mom is a public nurse," she said. "I never thought I could be a nurse. I watched her make a real impact on people by the way she loved and respected and cared for others."
Wubben has worked at Trinity for 15 years.
" I love the people, I love the staff," she said. "I feel as if I am part of a family. ... This is why I do what I do. I want each patient to know that someone cares."
Working a three-day week allows Wubben to spend time with her husband and three children, Wubben said.
"My husband has been a teacher and basketball coach for 19 years and I've always enjoyed spending my free time being involved in whatever he or my children are involved in," she said.
To anyone who thinks nursing may be the career for them, Wubben said that they should be prepared to deal with people.
"If you want to be a nurse, you have got to enjoy people because that is what nursing is all about," she said. "If you have a passion for caring for people, go for it because nursing is hard, it's frustrating at times, it's demanding and challenging, but it's a great profession. I love it."
Contact Julie Busby at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net