Gloria Castillo: A living nursing legend

Nevada RNformation, May-Jul 2003 by Razor, Betty

Many consider retirement a time to sit, play, and enjoy life. However, I would like to tell you about a special friend who, after her so-called "retirement" from nursing, now seeks new challenges. At age 82, Gloria Castillo is still going strong and has actively worked in the field of nursing since her graduation from nursing school in 1946. Gloria loves her role as the Ostomy Nurse at Washoe Medical Center, where she continues to make a difference in the lives of many by advising ostomy patients, managing fistulas, and consulting on a variety of unusual situations that are beyond the experience of many staff nurses. Her role requires sensitivity, understanding, energy, and expert knowledge. Gloria continues to maintain and increase her knowledge base by attending as many educational opportunities as possible. While she expertly uses her knowledge, empathy, and loving care to assist patients in their return to health, more importantly, Gloria shares her wealth of information with others. Gloria is especially known for the hands-on, bedside education she provides to nursing students from each of northern Nevada's three Schools of Nursing. MaryAnn Lambert of the Orvis School of Nursing states that Gloria is an exemplary teacher because she encourages students to learn while also encouraging them to see the entire person in need of nursing care, not just a diagnosis. Gloria has expanded her role in the community and has been a "consultant" to the United Ostomy Association Support Chapter in the Reno area for eons. She will travel anywhere to help a patient in need and often does not charge for her services just "because they need help." Gloria is always there to "nurse the nurse in need" and, without fanfare, has provided necessary nursing care for many nurses during their illness.

Gloria loves Nevada and was born and raised in Ely, although she seems to know the "old timers" everywhere and always knows the fun things to see and do around the state of Nevada. Gloria received her basic education in the proverbial one-room schoolhouse. When World War 11 broke out, she moved to Los Angeles County, enrolled in the Nursing Cadet Corps, and graduated from the Diploma Nursing Program at Los Angeles County Hospital. After graduation, Gloria held numerous nursing roles from the operating room to the emergency room and also chaired the OPN second national conference.

Gloria returned to Nevada, settled in Reno, and, was employed as an office nurse for many years before accepting a position as an outpatient nurse for the Veterans Administration in 1963. Gloria remained with the VA System for 25 years where she was the second recipient of the Veterans Affairs Washington DC "Hearts and Hands" award.

Gloria has been an active member of the American Nurses Association since graduation from nursing school in 1946, and joined the Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) when she returned to Nevada& Gloria was the first editor of the Nevada Nurses Association newsletter and fondly remembers the contest through which the newsletter was named, "The Nevada RNformation;" the name that the publication still bears today. She has received many awards including the Nevada Nurses Association President's "Honored Nurse" award in 1986 and the Northern Nevada Nurse of the Year award in 1992. Gloria has been a member of numerous organizations such as the United Ostomy Association and the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Association (WOCN) that exemplify her various interests and roles.

Among Gloria's extracurricular activities are her dedication to her role as caregiver for her brother, John, and their interest in the Nevada Woodchucks, a woodworking clubs that makes cradles and wooden toys for children. Many have benefited from their gracious wooden gifts. While most consider Castillo to be a Spanish surname, Gloria proudly claims Basque ancestry and is bilingual. She and John travel the world and recently visited their Basque roots in Spain. Like the proverbial energizer battery, Gloria just keeps going... and going... and going. She claims she will never stop doing what she loves and, when asked, she modestly claims that she has had a "very interesting Nursing career" and that her first love is nursing. Gloria Castillo is truly a wonderful role model and a spectacular friend who raises the standards for nursing.

by Betty Razor, RN, WOCN, President, NNA District I