Merita Flakes, MSN, BSN, RN

I chose nursing because I have a passion for helping others. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and provide care to those in need. I find personal satisfaction in my work by contributing to the health and well-being of my community. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a child. Nurses were like superheroes to me. There is a human side to nursing, the element of just being with a person during a tough time and sharing some energy, which is so satisfying.

I enjoy being a BH nurse because I get the opportunity to build a therapeutic relationship with the patients, and this can lead to long-term trust and support. I love celebrating small victories in the patient’s recovery journey. I get satisfaction in advocating for the patients’ mental well-being. Overall, the work is both rewarding and challenging, with the potential to make a significant impact on the patients’ lives. I was a CNA for 25 years. I received my ADN in 2012, my BSN in 2015, and my MSN in 2019. While in college, I buried my mother and my brother. This was hard, but I made it. I have worked as a Geriatric nurse for 6 years and a BH nurse for 7 years. I have been married for 47 years and we have 5 children, 22 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.