Health Care Heroes 2025 S13
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 Kearney Hub www.kearneyhub.com
LINDSAY SCANLAN | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER “Right Where I’m Meant to Be”: Lindsay Scanlan’s Journey from CNA to ICU Nurse at Kearney Regional
Every nurse car- ries stories that stay with them forever— quiet moments of strength, tearful goodbyes, unex- pected recoveries, and deep connections with patients and families. For Lindsay Scanlan, those mo - ments aren’t just part of the job. They are the reason she shows up every day with compassion,
after years working as a CNA, I realized that bedside nursing was where I needed to be. I wanted to be with my patients all day long— to be present in their care, in their stories.” Now two years into her RN career, Lindsay brings that passion to one of the hospital’s most critical units—the Intensive Care Unit. And while the ICU is known for its high-acu- ity cases and emotionally charged environment, Lindsay thrives in the inten- sity. “Of course, working in healthcare is challenging,” she says. “But it’s especially difficult when you’ve gotten to know your patients really well and the outcome doesn’t turn out how you hoped. It’s heartbreaking. You feel it—not just as a nurse, but as a human being who truly cares.” Despite those emotional lows, Lindsay is quick to share the importance of her support system. “Every day is different, and some days are just harder than others. But here at KRMC, I’m lucky to work with a team that lifts each other up. My coworkers in the ICU are incredible. They’re there for you. They listen. They cry with you. And that kind of connection—it gets you through.”
What keeps her going, Lindsay says, are the patients. “I’ve had so many rewarding experiences as a nurse,” she explains. “Being able to truly care for someone day after day, getting to know them, being a part of their journey—it’s something I really value. And when we get to send some- one home after they’ve been through so much in the ICU, it’s an incredible feeling. You see how far they’ve come, and you feel proud to have played a role in that recovery.” Lindsay speaks with a quiet confidence, grounded in both humility and purpose. “It might sound simple, but just knowing I’m right where I’m supposed to be—that’s everything. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” There are countless moments she could point to as sources of pride, but one in particular stands out: the simple act of discharge. “When I see a patient leave the ICU and head home, it makes everything worth it,” she says. “They’ve fought hard to get there, and I’ve been privileged to stand by their side. That makes me proud beyond words.”
Lindsay doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of working in healthcare. “It’s one of the hard - est jobs there is—mentally, emotionally, physically. You’re constantly thinking, constantly adapting. But even with all that, it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. I feel so lucky that I get to do this for a living. I’m honored to care for people when they need it most.” For anyone considering a career in healthcare, Lindsay offers heartfelt advice: “Be ready to work hard. Be ready to feel things deeply. But also be ready to grow more than you ever thought possible. Nursing will challenge you—but it will also shape you into someone you’ll be proud of.” At Kearney Regional Medical Center, Lindsay Scanlan is more than an ICU nurse. She’s a steady presence in moments of chaos, a voice of comfort in times of uncertainty, and a reminder that healing happens not just through medicine, but through human connection and unwavering care.
Lindsay Scanlan
grit, grace. Now a Registered ICU Nurse at Kearney Re - gional Medical Center, Lindsay’s path into nursing began years earlier, not in a classroom, but at the bedside. Before becoming a registered nurse, she spent four years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), gaining hands-on experience and an unshakable appreciation for the demands and rewards of patient care. “I originally planned to go to medical school and become a doctor,” she shares. “But and
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