S10 Health Care Heroes 2025
www.kearneyhub.com Kearney Hub SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
Deanna Martinez, RN: Balancing Heart, Skill, and Resilience in Today’s Nursing World
DEANNA MARTINEZ | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
With six years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Deanna Martinez, BSN, brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to the ever-evolving field of healthcare. At Kearney Regional Medical Center, she’s known not just for her clinical expertise, but for the empathy,
For Deanna, the most fulfilling part of nursing comes in the form of patient transformation. “The most rewarding moments are when I get to discharge a pa- tient who has been in the hospital for a long time,” she says. “Sometimes, when you first meet them, they’re very sick—weak, scared, uncertain. And then weeks later, you see them walk out, strong and smiling. Watching that journey unfold is incredible. It’s why we do what we do.” While her role is centered on direct patient care, Deanna also plays an important part in shaping the next generation of nurses. As a preceptor, she mentors and trains new nurses entering the field—an aspect of her career that has brought her a different kind of pride. “I’m so proud of all my preceptees—my little chickees,” she says warmly. “Watching them grow into confident, capable nurses and seeing them thrive in different areas of the hospital is amazing. It makes me feel like I’ve contributed to something bigger than just the patients I care for.” Her perspective on the field has evolved, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly altered the culture and emotional climate of healthcare. “Post-COVID, the way we care for patients and support each other has changed. We’ve had to become more adaptable, more resilient,” Deanna explains. “There’s a constant push to learn new and better ways to care for people, and staying open to that change is crucial.” When asked what advice she would give to someone considering a career in healthcare, Deanna is both encouraging and realistic. “Spend as much time as you can learning about different specialties. There are so many avenues in healthcare, and each has its own pros and cons. Don’t limit yourself early on— explore,” she advises. “And wherever you go, never stop asking questions. Take advan- tage of every learning opportunity you can find. Knowledge truly is power in this field.” As she reflects on her journey, Deanna’s love for nursing remains strong. Her dedication to patients, her passion for mentorship, and
her ability to balance the emotional demands of the job all speak to her deep sense of pur- pose. “Nursing is challenging, no doubt,” she says. “But it’s also one of the most meaning - ful things I’ve ever done. I’m proud of the work I do and the people I do it with.”
In an industry that demands both strength and heart, Deanna Martinez exemplifies what it means to be a modern nurse—resilient, compassionate, curious, and always striving to grow
Deanna Martinez
mentorship, quiet strength she brings to every shift. Nursing wasn’t just a career choice for Deanna—it was something that felt like a natural extension of who she is. With both of her parents working in healthcare and a childhood fascination with science and anat- omy, she was exposed early on to the impact a medical professional can have. But it was during high school that her career path truly started to take shape. “I had several very influential teachers who really encouraged me to explore healthcare careers,” she re- calls. “Nursing stood out because of the huge variety of skills and fields I could explore. It was something that felt dynamic, purposeful, and full of potential.” That sense of purpose has carried her through both the rewarding and the emotionally difficult moments that come with being a nurse. Deanna is candid about the mental and emotional weight that can come with the job—especially when it follows you home. “The hardest part emotionally is getting out of the nursing mindset and not bringing the stress of the job home with me,” she says. “When you’ve worked with a patient for 12 or 13 hours, it’s not easy to just shut that off. I find myself worrying—did I do everything right? Is the patient okay?” But with time and experience, she’s devel - oped tools to help her cope. “I’ve really tried to focus on leaving work at work. I’ve had to learn to remind myself that I did my best—and that’s enough.” and
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