Ruth Ripsom, RN, MS, JD, Washoe Medical Center Past Vice President and Director of Nursing Operations, Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Nevada RNformation, Aug 2004 by Ripsom, Ruth

I started nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in July 1956 in San Francisco. It was a diploma program offered by the hospital. This was an exciting opportunity for me and I found that I could really make a difference in my life and in the lives of others. During this process of education, I took various side trips, but continued in the amazing exploration of patient care.

I worked in a pediatrician practice in a wonderfully collaborative way. It was quite evident that the family unit in patient care became a critical element in every aspect of nursing care after that experience.

During my float pool experience, I really developed a sense for the critically ill patient and his change in environment; how life changes for the person who abruptly is in need of hospitalization.

I decided to return to school to obtain my BSN and MS, so that I could teach. The educational aspect of my career continued while in the University setting and the service setling. I learned that teaching is not limited to the classroom or to students. Interpersonal skills at each level of supervision have helped me to remember that I gained knowledge form everyone more than they learned from me. As a supervisor, manager, administrator, or VP, I followed the advice of a friend who said, "Remember that you will always meet the leaders on your way back down."

To see nurses develop in areas of Quality Assurance, Education, Clinical theory and skills, and shared Governance has been my greatest joy in seeing these accomplishments.

Later on in my journey of education, I obtained a law degree in which as a Vice President and Director of Nursing Operations I used my Doctorate of Jurisprudence to help healthcare policy formation regarding consents, policies, standards, and codification of regulation.

Even though I retired over three years ago, I am honored to be a part of this wonderful world of nursing that I cannot leave and continue to work at Washoe Medical Center as a Nursing Administrative manager, per diem.