In honor of National Nurses Week, we will be highlighting a few of our nurses and CNAs. Today’s spotlight is on Ericka Scruggs, a Licensed Practical Nurse making a difference in the lives of Magee patients
Ericka Scruggs, LPN
Please tell me a little bit more about your background.
I received my education at Episcopal Hospital’s School of Nursing. I have been a nurse for 11 years, and have been at Magee for 8.
Why did you decide to become a nurse?
I became a nurse was because it has always been so natural for me to help people.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is participating in helping and then seeing our patients achieve their goals.
Tell us about an experience that solidified for you that you made the right career choice.
I had a patient who had a significant wound that could only be healed with surgical intervention, but his family was resistant to the team’s recommendations for surgery. So education became a key part of my daily nursing care with this patient. With help from wound care and the physician, we were able to collectively develop a plan that would aid in helping both the patient and his family understand the need for surgery. In the end, the patient and his mother agreed to surgery. The patient came back to Magee after surgery for sitting and later was discharged to home with intact skin.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Right now, my main hobby is being a good wife and mother. I have three kids. Two of them are in college and one is entering high school in the fall. I’m very passionate about obtaining my RN license to advance my knowledge and scope of practice.
