Caring for the community drives nurse
Sara Maples, RN, knew from fairly early on that a job behind a desk wasn’t for her. She remembers talking to her dad about what options she could pursue and he encouraged her to take a CNA course to see if something in the nursing or medical field may be a good fit.
Sarah Maples, RN
“From there I decided to give nursing a try and I fell in love,” she said. “I enjoyed the fast-paced environment while also feeling like I get to make a tangible difference every day I come to work.”
At the end of nursing school when it came to completing her capstone course, being in the emergency department was not on her radar at all. Maples had listed her preferred units and it was not on the list. Her nursing school instructor suggested that she may be good at it and the ER is where she was placed.
“After experiencing the ER, I knew it was the place for me. Immediately after graduating my first job was on a cardiac step-down unit but I kept my eyes open for something in the ER,” Maples said. “I lived in Lawrence but was commuting to Kansas City at the time. When I saw a job open up at LMH Health in the ER, I was thrilled!”
Why LMH Health?
Maples has lived in Lawrence for four years and though she didn’t mind commuting, being a part of something in her community was always something she strived for.
“I wanted to work and take care of patients where I live and invest in my community that way,” she said. “Though I had a great experience at my job right out of college, I always kept LMH Health on my radar. I love being a part of an organization that values the community so highly. Even the policies and procedures are all made with our patients and community highly considered.”
As a health system that values the importance of familial connection, Maples said she loves the comradery she feels in her department and beyond. Being able to know someone’s name and say hello to them is important.
“I like that I not only know everyone I work with directly but also those who work in security, food services, housekeeping and more,” she said. “I get to connect with people and ask them how they are and how their day is going. LMH Health gives us the space to have these kinds of connections.”
Though there are many places Maples could have gone to be a nurse, she would recommend LMH Health over and over again.
“I know there are multiple health systems in the KC and Topeka areas, however, there is something so special and unique about Lawrence,” she said. “We are able to see a huge range of patients from all ages and all walks of life but who more times than not live right here in the Douglas County community. As nurses, this gives us the opportunity to not only serve our patients well but make a real difference in the community and the lives of those who live here.”
