SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Each year the Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA), District V, hosts a contest, “My Favorite Nurse.” District V representatives this year named Ernie Olson, APRN-BC, Mitchell Medical Center the winner.

Olson's nominations ranged in praise from, “She is awesome about calling me at home for follow-up on treatment that she has prescribed. She’s always readily available when I have questions, and always takes the time to visit one-on-one, treating you like you’re the only patient she has.” As well as, “She is conscientious, has good rapport with her patients and colleagues, is very knowledgeable about patient care, has excellent patient education and documentation skills, and even routinely makes house calls. We are so fortunate to have her!”

Community members and fellow staff members are invited to write in and nominate a nurse that has made a difference in their lives. The contest is held a couple of weeks prior to National Nurses Week, May 6 - 12, with the winner announced during the weekly celebration.

This year's Nurses Week celebration culminated with a special day at Regional West Medical Center with visiting vendors, educational booths, visits from Annette Harmon, Nebraska Nurses Association (NNA) State Executive Director and Carole Lainof, State President. As part of the festivities, the local Dist. V division of NNA announced Olson as the winner of the favorite nurse contest and Janice Casey, the winner of a drawing for a one-year free membership to the NNA.

“ It was a great way for the panhandle nursing community to celebrate this special week,” says Nancy Hanson, RN, BSN, Regional West Medical Center.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,400 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 40 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is one of only three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.