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Mothers hope their daughters will emerge from the teenage years and develop into lifelong friends. In the Women’s Services Department of Huguley Memorial Medical Center, two mothers and their daughters are friends and colleagues as they work together as nurses.
Esther Konrad and Monica Corkran share both a profession and a ride. The two schedule their shifts together and drive from Keene to the hospital.
Connie Anderson is a charge nurse and can’t supervise her daughter, so Wendi Belcher works nights. But Wendi and Connie often linger at the shift change to visit. They frequently attend conferences together, and each sometimes brings food to the other during their twelve-hour shifts.
Neither daughter grew up wanting to become a nurse. Wendi trained as a chef, and Monica did physician staffing. After a few years, both daughters decided to attend nursing school after observing their mothers’ professional fulfillment. Choosing women’s services was easy— the joy of working with mothers and new babies and the desire to help women after gynecologic surgery.
Connie went to nursing school when her children were teens. As she drove the car, her children had to quiz her about nursing class material. The lesson was well learned, because all three of Connie’s daughters are pursuing a nursing career. Likewise, Esther set a strong example: three of her five children went to nursing school.
Both daughters expressed one initial reservation about working so closely with her mother: As a less experienced nurse, would she measure up to her mother’s great reputation?
Their fear was soon allayed, and the benefits became apparent. “As I see my mother at work, I’ve developed even more respect for her,” said Monica. Wendi explained, “I’m very blessed to be able to work with my mother. She’s a terrific resource, and we have a close relationship.”
The mothers are pleased also. “It’s a privilege to work with your daughter. It’s satisfying to see her grow professionally and develop into a confident, skilled nurse,” stated Esther.
All four women laugh at a common difficulty—what to call your mother at work? Monica and Wendi try to call their mothers by their first names, but “Mom” slips out sometimes, to the surprise of the patients.
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