Tri-County LPN Alumnus David Johnson is Caretaker,
Friend and Family Member to Residents of NHC

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/9/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

ANDERSON --- David Johnson is caretaker, friend and family member to the residents of NHC in Anderson, where he works as a licensed practical nurse.

Walking down the hallway on his way to the nurse's desk, Johnson, a 2000 graduate of Tri-County Technical College's Practical Nursing program, stops to personally speak with each resident he passes. "I love working here," said the Anderson native who is the only male nurse at NHC. "NHC is their home, and many don't have relatives so I'm their family every day.

"Sometimes I see them more than my own family," he said. "It's a joy getting to know them. They see you coming down the hall, and they smile at you and you know that they appreciate your being there. The reward is knowing they trust me and that I know I can take care of them. It's great to leave work and know that you have given 110 percent. They really appreciate it. It's a second home for me, too."

After working for 13 years at AnMed as a nursing assistant on the coronary care and ICU units, he decided to pursue a college degree. "I enjoy caring for patients. I was happy at the hospital, but I wanted the wholeness of taking care of a patient. I had heard of Tri-County's LPN program, and I knew department head Lynn Lollis, who works in the Recovery Room occasionally at the hospital. I initially was going to enter the RN program, but instead of getting on a waiting list, Lollis suggested the Practical Nursing program and there was room for me."

While attending classes full-time, Johnson kept his job at AnMed, worked second shift at Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital and served as minister of music at Evergreen Baptist Church in Anderson, a job he still holds.

"I like to keep busy," he said.

After graduating from Tri-County, he applied for a job at NHC "because I heard it was a good place to work. I had done my clinical training here. and I knew everybody worked as a team. The administration is great and supportive in every way. It's been a glorious ride so far," he said.

In addition to caring for the patients at NHC, he is the resident pianist. Several times a week residents gather around the piano and sing with Johnson, who has played by ear since his teens. "It's a source of entertainment for them, and they love it," he said.

Johnson plans to enter Tri-County's associate degree Nursing program in January.

"I'm going back to college because I want to be able to take care of patients better. The more education I have, the better equipped I am to handle them. I'm returning to Tri-County because I had success there before. The instructors are always behind you. If there is a problem, you can talk with them. They make you feel comfortable. It was a dream of my late mother's that I would become a registered nurse. I won't be complete unless I do it. It's a promise I made to her, and I plan to fulfill it."
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