• Name and role: Abby Tackett RN, BSN, WCC

• How long have you been in healthcare? I graduated from the MSU BSN program in May of 2019. I began my career on a Postoperative/Women’s Care Unit in June of 2019, then transferred to my current role in August of 2021.

• Why did you choose to become a nurse? Just like most nurses, I want to help people and make a difference in their lives. Finding a way to improve the quality of life for my residents is my goal and where I find my happiness. I chose ENR because when I first stepped into the facility for my interview, I felt like this is exactly where I was meant to be- like God was calling me to serve here and serve these residents. Since I started working at Elliott, the staff and residents have become like family to me.

• What has been your healthcare journey? I started out as a nurse on a postoperative/women’s care unit and now I am here at Elliott.

• During a challenging time in healthcare, what keeps you motivated? The love that I have for my residents is what keeps me motivated- to become a better nurse and to learn everything that I can to improve my practice, even on really hard days.

• What do you find most rewarding in being a nurse? Wound care! I like healing people, as all nurses do. I cannot fix high blood pressure or heart disease, but I can fix wounds. I can watch them start out as something that is impairing to the resident, and watch it heal and improve the comfort and quality of life for the residents I care for. Wound care is a true opportunity to provide healing. Wound care is extremely rewarding because I get to make a direct impact on the lives of the people I care for.