How do you count dedication? SSM Health nurses have 97,000 years of service

On May 12, we’ll say happy birthday to Florence Nightingale, who founded nursing as we know it. As we celebrate Nurses Day on May 6, Nurses Week (May 6-12) and Nurses Month (May), we will honor the nurses who dedicate their profession to SSM Health.

SSM Health has more than 11,650 nurses across the system and is lucky to have them caring for our patients. Across the system, SSM Health has over 97,115 years of nursing service.

One such nurse is Linda Fecenko, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, who has devoted 34 years of service with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Here is how she describes her inspiring career path – which was not a straight line, she notes:

“Many of my friends who chose nursing as a career had a clear vision of their path from the beginning. My road was not as well-charted and not as straightforward, having more than a few detours along the way. Once I finally embraced the choice, I realized every step I took, every job I had in my life, was leading me to a career in nursing. So, you ask why I chose nursing? I think it chose me.

“I attended SIU-Carbondale be SIUE for nursing school. My first pediatric clinical rotation was at Cardinal Glennon, and I was, let’s just say, a goner! I knew where my future professional life lay! If you could not just fall in love with a physical space but the culture of a hospital, well, then, it was love at first sight! It was a way of treating children and treating their families. It was the respect and communication between services ultimately with the same goal, advocating for the best for each and every child regardless of circumstance.

“I’m still here for those who came before, who mentored and challenged me, who cried and laughed with me and for those whom I try to help now so they can carry on the legacy of this wonderful hospital. I thank you for that privilege.”

Join SSM Health in thanking the nurses who make a difference in all our lives.