This is why her kids followed in her footsteps
As a child, Beth Noffke remembers caring for her ill grandmother. While she couldn’t speak her native Italian, Beth would communicate through caring.
It piqued her early interest in nursing.
Now, after more than three decades in nursing at Advocate Children’s Hospital-Oak Lawn, Beth is a role model for young people choosing the career. In fact, her two daughters, Lindsey and Maggie, are also nurses—inspired by their mother’s passion.
Both were on hand recently as Beth was celebrated as Nurse of the Year for the children’s hospital.
“I guess I would come home and tell them about what I did,” says Beth. “They saw it as a great opportunity, and so today, Lindsey works with me on the pediatric unit, and Maggie is a nurse in the adult cardiovascular intensive care unit at Advocate Christ Medical Center.”
“My mother would share stories and was so grateful to have a career helping families through difficult times,” says Maggie. “We learned so much from her and wanted to do the same thing.”
“It is so rewarding being able to be there for children and families facing complex medical issues,” says Beth. “If I can make it easier and teach them how to care for their child, I feel I’ve done my job well. I love seeing them go home.”
In being recognized as one of 33 Nurses of the Year at Advocate Aurora Health, Beth was applauded for actively promoting high quality, safe care at every turn.
As one of her colleagues put it, “Beth is the nurse we all aspire to be.”
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About the Author
Evonne Woloshyn, health enews contributor, is director of public affairs at Advocate Children's Hospital. Evonne began her career as an anchor and reporter in broadcast news. Over the past 20 years, she has worked in health care marketing in both Ohio and Illinois. Evonne loves to travel, spend time with family and is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan!
My son was blessed with having “Nurse Beth” as his nurse while in the hospital as a first grader. We were so grateful for her! ?