Story provided positive focus on local nurses

To the editor:

On behalf of the nurses at Southeast Missouri Hospital, I want to thank you for your attention to "What it takes to be a nurse" in the June 24 Southeast Missourian.

There is a shortage of nurses across the nation, and considerable attention is given to nurses working in environments where care of patients is often considered unsafe. Attention is also given to concerns of nurses who feel that there is little being done by the health-care industry to retain the nurses currently in the profession. We do so very much appreciate your taking the time to focus on our nurse camp in which we brought to Southeast Missouri Hospital the 20 students from across Southeast Missouri to experience firsthand what it takes to be a nurse.

I appreciate very much the article by Laura Johnston and her representation of our nurse camp and the effort we made to make this a great experience.

On behalf of James W. Wente, our administrator, the nurses of Southeast Missouri Hospital and I thank you for your professionalism and fine work.

KAREN HENDRICKSON

Assistant Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer

Southeast Missouri Hospital

Cape Girardeau