Candy Smith
October 2023
Candy
Smith
,
MSN, RN, CEN, CPN
Kannapolis Emergency Department
Atrium Health Cabarrus
Concord
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

She is compassionate towards the patients and family members at the bedside to help ease worries as the patients are being treated. She is fantastic at providing special care to our pediatric patients and concerned parents.
Candy is a remarkable nurse who has honored Atrium Health with her skilled services for nearly 25 years. During this time, she has gained experience in multiple units, such as ACCU, PCCU, CVRU, medical surge ICU, and PICU.

Currently, her nursing expertise resides at the Kannapolis Free Standing Emergency Department. It was at this location that I was beginning to gain my bearings as a new nurse. This time in one’s nursing career can typically be an arduous moment. Candy was always willing to step in to assist, observe, or instruct best practices regarding patient care. She helped me gain the proper experience and confidence I needed to become a more proficient and independent nurse in health care practices. I am forever grateful for her patience, empathy, and intelligence. Candy is the epitome of the type of nurse that Atrium Health would be proud to have under its organization. She consistently acknowledges the up-to-date company policies that help improve patient outcomes. She is compassionate towards the patients and family members at the bedside to help ease worries as the patients are being treated. She is fantastic at providing special care to our pediatric patients and concerned parents. Her smile is infectious as she provides updates and education to alleviate any uneasiness our visitors may have.

Not only is Candy a patient-centered clinical nurse, but she is a prominent nurse educator. She is actively involved in teaching clinical rotations for Rowan Community College on the PCCU unit. Candy has taught hundreds of nursing students who are just starting to learn the rhythms of working on inpatient units. She has served as a preceptor for orientee nursing first starting in the ED. Candy is an influence when it comes to nurses pursuing continuing education opportunities. She just recently obtained her MSN in Education. This was all while working her 12-hour shift and clinical teaching. She is a model for all nurses to show that self-developed should never be halted during any stage of one’s career.

Candy has created strong connections among the team members in our department. Her actions help cultivate a nurturing and trusting culture amongst the crew. I view her as a mentor and role model of the type of nurse I plan to develop myself as. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to learn as I work alongside her. In times like this, in which healthcare systems face adapting barriers, we need more nurses like Candy.