Meet Amber Trotter, 2017 Nurse of the Year Recognition
Nursing is an ever-evolving field, Trotter said.
Amber Trotter can’t remember a time when she didn’t enjoy caring for others’ needs.
“I have been a nurse for almost eight years now, and nursing has changed so much. Tasks are constantly being added, making it harder to spend time with and care for our patients, but our patients are getting sicker and will need us more than ever. Nursing will continue to change every year, but we have to remember our patients are our priority.”
The 2017 Nurse of the Year for Floyd Medical Center said she remembers helping care for her grandparents when they were sick. Nursing is something she’s always done. A registered nurse on the Cardiac Stepdown unit, Trotter continues to provide that same kind of care to her patients now. “I become attached to patients and families fairly easily,” she said, recalling one patient whose positive attitude helped forge a particularly rewarding connection. “About a year ago, we had a patient on our floor who was never expected to come off the ventilator. In fact, she went home with a home ventilator,” she said. “I was able to keep in touch with her and her sister once she went home,” she said. “I encouraged her to stay strong and continue to fight as hard as she could. She is now off of the vent and able to care for herself.” Amber Is A Shining Example Dr. Sheila Bennett, Senior Vice President and Chief of Patient Services, said Trotter is a shining example. "We have a staff of more than 750 nurses, and all are wonderful, but Amber is truly a star," Dr. Bennett said. "She regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty to solve even the most complex patient care issue." Trotter is known for her leadership skills and her willingness to help guide younger nurses as they grow professionally. "Amber never hesitates to offer encouragement and guidance to her co-workers, especially those who are in the early stages of their career," Dr. Bennett said. "She's a willing mentor and truly embodies the spirit of caring that Floyd nurses are known for." Despite her circumstances, the patient and her family were nice and always encouraging to everyone.
Managing those tasks takes a team, she said, and her advice to other nurses is to rely on each other.
Advice from a Pro “Nursing is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding jobs out there I believe,” she said. “We will all have challenging days. Lean on your peers and talk about tough situations. Always remember what made you go into nursing and what makes you choose it daily as your career.” The Nurse of the Year and other nursing honors are presented each year during Nurses Week. As part of that celebration, Jerry Morillon was named 2017 Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year for Floyd Medical Center, and Phoebe Wilborn was honored as the 2017 Rising Star at Floyd Medical Center.
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