Stacy Barnes
RN at Rapid City Medical Center
Stacy Barnes didn’t always have nursing in mind growing up. For the longest time, three years through college to be exact, she was an education major. Then, after developing malignant melanoma skin cancer while pregnant with her daughter, she found out her heart belonged in nursing. She started school at Western Dakota Tech the next year and graduated as an LPN in 1999. Now, 20 years later, Stacy is celebrating two decades of nursing as an RN.
“I can’t imagine a career that is more rewarding than a career in medicine, whether it be a nurse, physician, PA, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc.,” said Stacy. “Getting to work with patients every day is a blessing.”
Working in an extremely busy Mohs surgery clinic within the Dermatology Department, Stacy gets the unique opportunity to participate in the care of patients who come into the clinic with skin cancer and leave cancer-free. She has worked with her surgeon – Dr. Wittenberg – for the past 17 years and enjoys making her patients’ appointments the best they can be.
“Nursing is demanding, but so rewarding,” said Stacy. “I love working with people! The best part about my job is my patients are awake for their procedures. I get to know them!”
Stacy works hard to care for everyone around her – and with her husband, children, and colleagues’ support, she has achieved her RN degree, volunteers in the community, and still makes time to take her kids to practice and help with homework.
“She has a personality that uplifts the spirits of those around her,” said Jessica Kearns, the Director of Nursing at Rapid City Medical Center. “Despite the fast-paced practice she works in, she finds the time to individualize her care and listen to her patients.”
Stacy always has a smile on her face and a can-do attitude that spreads to those around her. Nursing found her 20 years ago, and her love for the medical field continues to grow each and every day.
WORDS BY JENNA CARDA
PHOTOS BY JESSE BROWN NELSON
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