Patti Myers, B.S.N., R.N., was hired at Presbyterian Children’s Hospital in 1990, a year before it had even opened. The small hospital “out in the middle of nowhere” later became Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano and Myers stayed on.
“I was hired to work in the six-bed Emergency Department at Presbyterian Children’s Hospital PRN on Dec. 11, 1990. The hospital was surrounded by empty fields and tall grass. There were just two nurses on days and one nurse on nights,” Myers said.
At the time, she had a 2½-year-old and a 10-month-old at home.
“I remember rushing around at home to get a lot done before going to work and thinking, ‘Slow down, don’t wear yourself out before going to work,’ and then thinking, ‘No, it’s OK, you can rest at work because we have so few patients.’ There were many shifts we didn’t get any patients. I remember the ER celebrating when we got EIGHT patients in one day — wow!”
As the years of working and raising children went on, Myers appreciated the ability to adapt her schedule as needed. She changed to part-time work in April 2007.
“Patti has a very kind heart and is caring and compassionate with our patients,” said Myers’ manager, Brittany Woertendyke, B.S., RDMS, RVT, LSSGB, manager of Radiology and Medical Imaging at Texas Health Plano. “Many of the patients Patti cares for are scared and vulnerable. She puts their minds at ease and creates a seamless visit for them.”
More about Myers:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career?
As a little girl so many years ago, I figured I had three choices of work when I grew up. A teacher, a secretary or a nurse. My mom was a nurse, and I was always interested in people, so the choice was easy for me.
What does a typical workday look like?
Over time, the ED became a Level II Trauma Center, growing to 50 beds, and in January of 2019, after working 29 years in the ED, I transferred to the Radiology department and became one of three radiology nurses. We assist in biopsies done in CT and ultrasound, giving the medications (conscious sedation) during the procedures as well as other duties within the department.
What’s your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
There are so many favorite parts of my job: my hours, my schedule, the people I work with and, of course, interacting with and serving the patients whom I imagine to be scared and concerned about their health situation.
Having a flexible schedule has been awesome for me, especially raising three kids.
My biggest challenge over the years is to remain kind and encouraging when things are busy and everybody is stressed. I have learned to not be easily offended, knowing everyone has different ways of handling stress. I really like it when a potentially tense situation defuses after kindness is offered.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Something that a lot of people don’t know about me is that I ride on the back of a motorcycle (a three- wheeler). My husband and I have very much enjoyed our motorcycle trips up into Colorado and the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
I have really appreciated my working career as a nurse at Texas Health Plano. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe being a faith-based hospital makes Texas Health Plano even more special. I always include my work and the hospital in my prayers, and I am very thankful to God.
God has always been with me and that includes my working career.
Posted January 11, 2022
