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Celebrating SLV Health Nurses Week 2020 - Sarah Gilleland

gilleland nurses week

Sarah Gilleland, a registered nurse in the emergency room and acute care department of Conejos County Hospital in La Jara, is one of the many nurses being celebrated from Nov. 1 through Nov. 7.

     San Luis Valley Health is celebrating and thanking their nurses from Nov. 1 through Nov. 8. Nurses’ Week is traditionally held in May, but due to so many changes with COVID, the celebration was delayed. What a perfect time, now in the month of giving thanks, that nurses are celebrated. A special thank you goes out to SLV Health’s team of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs or aka Advance Practice Registered Nurse), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs).   

Making A Difference In People's Lives

Sarah Gilleland, BSN, RN at Conejos County Hospital’s acute care department and emergency room, decided to become a nurse at a young age.

“An older sister of mine inspired me, as she is a registered nurse,” Gilleland said.

Gilleland enjoys making a difference in people’s lives.

“I am able to provide hope, comfort and healing to the people of my community,” she explains. “There are moments in stressful situations that I think, ‘This is why I became a nurse.’ I have a high responsibility of care to the patients who visit Conejos County Hospital.”

CCH is a critical access hospital, and Gilleland is grateful for the opportunity to work there.

“The knowledge gained from the amazing physicians and team of nurses in the emergency department has given me the skills to make life-saving decisions in a timely manner,” Gilleland said. “I have the best team members who continue to inspire me every shift.”

Gilleland, who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in the Science of Nursing, looks forward to making a difference outside of work as well as inside.

“I created a project regarding opioid addiction within the San Luis Valley that gives people who struggle with addiction resources that are available to them both inside and outside of the San Luis Valley,” she explained. “I am excited to see this project make real and effective change within the community.”