Honor a Nurse

Marilyn Harris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Celebrating Seven Decades as a Nurse

“I began my journey as a nurse in September 1954. As I reflect upon the past 70 years I had no idea of the wonderful career that I chose and the many opportunities I would experience when I applied to Abington Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (SON). I reported to the hospital on September 8, 1954. I lived in a dormitory on the hospital campus in a single room and, yes, there was a house mother on duty to determine that the strict nightly curfews were maintained.

My ‘Experience Record’ at the SON included the competencies/instructions in the classroom and the dates they were supervised. Our classroom instruction started immediately on September 8th, the first day on campus. The two competencies listed that day were cleaning the bed and table and feeding patients. I achieved these competencies, along with cleaning utility and bathrooms, bed-making-strip and air, and care and arrangement of flowers in November 1954. In retrospect, my experiences and required courses during my 3 years as a student nurse may seem totally irrelevant in 2024’s healthcare environment. However, they provided the foundation for caring and compassionate care during the next 67 years. After 3 years as an emergency room nurse, I became a staff nurse at the Visiting Nurse Association of Eastern Montgomery County (VNA). My 12 years as a staff nurse offered me the opportunity to meet and provide care and compassion for patients wherever they called home. In 1976, I was promoted to supervisor. In 1977, I was selected as the executive director. The VNA affiliated with Abington Memorial Hospital in 1988. I continued to serve as the executive director for a total of 22 years until my retirement in 1999.

My professional career has been wonderful. I had many opportunities and challenges that are a lasting part of my own history and memories. My administrative responsibilities gave me the opportunity to be innovative and creative, to establish and attain professional and personal goals, enjoy achievements, share my ideas and opinions, and visit and host international colleagues.

I enjoy writing and published many professional and faith-based articles and books since my first publication in 1977. My journaling that I started in high school continues today. Many of the short entries may eventually expand into another commentary or article. I encourage nurses to keep a journal and to share professional and personal experiences  by submitting a manuscript to a journal.

My commitment to nurses and nursing continues by serving NFP as Vice President of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of its Scholarship Committee. I also support its annual Gala, where this year my Platinum Jubilee will be celebrated, and participate personally in its estate planning efforts. I appreciate your continued love and support that contribute to my wonderful, life-long Pennsylvania nursing career. Thank you for this recognition and honor.”