In honor of National Nurses Day, KDHQ chatted with Anne Stein ( opens in a new windowEta Beta-Bradley). Anne has served her community as a nurse for over 10 years and has gained a lot of confidence along the way. Thank you, Anne, for all that you do in the health care field!

Kappa Delta Headquarters: Can you tell us a little about your career as a nurse?

Anne Stein: I initially started working in the operating room, and I did that for almost 10 years. Up until recently, I’ve been working in a medical group office with two different doctors, both hand surgeons. We would see between 35 and 40 patients per day, both before and after surgery. After things started to change due to the pandemic, we were limited to assisting patients who only had urgent injuries, such as broken bones, so currently I am serving in a hospital labor pool. I’ve been shadowing a nurse from a floor in the hospital, which I have not done since nursing school. It’s a big difference, but it has been a good experience.

KDHQ: What led you to a career in medicine?

AS: When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. Then when I was 12, I broke my leg. During that experience, I had to stay overnight at the hospital to have my leg set. I was really in awe and touched by the care I received. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I found out that my great aunt and my best friend’s mom were both nurses, so I shadowed them and decided that was what I wanted to do.

KDHQ: Are there any skills you learned from Kappa Delta that help you in your career?

AS: Definitely. I was the vice president-standards in my chapter. I learned about teamwork while being on the council and through working with the different people in the chapter and members in the college community. I learned to be organized and how to communicate with all sorts of people. In nursing, you have to speak to coworkers, doctors and also patients. You have to be confident, which is definitely something I started to learn in college.

KDHQ: How do you seek what is honorable, beautiful and highest in your career?

AS: As a nurse, I always try to do what’s honorable. I try to do what’s best for my patients and try to be their voice. Sometimes, a patient might be confused or not have family present, and I try to advocate for them. I ask myself, “What would I want done for my family member?” and then try to give it my best. I think serving others is something that definitely represents what’s honorable beautiful and highest. I’m grateful and humbled that I’m able to serve others in that way and that helps give my life meaning.

KDHQ: How has KD supported you, both as a person and in your career?

AS: A few of my KD sisters also work in health care. It’s nice to be able to talk to somebody who understands how I might be feeling and what I’m going through. I know they are just a phone call or text message away, which is really helpful.

To hear more from Anne, watch her opens in a new windowvideo interview!