How would you describe your job? As an LPN in the emergency department, I provide generalized nursing care in the emergency setting. My job varies on a daily basis, because we don't know what emergencies or unfortunate situations will happen on any day.

(ENLARGE)

Tanya Wheeler, age 23 Currituck County Licensed Practical Nurse Albemarle Health, 4 years

Has your job been affected by changes in technology or other changes? In the medical field, new technologies are available all the time. If we receive a new piece of equipment, we have to attend training on how to operate it. We do not use any new equipment on any patients until our staff is properly trained and comfortable with using it.

Besides salary, what benefits do you derive from your work? The benefit that comes with my job is the self-satisfaction that I am providing care and nurturing the needs for patients and their families in their time of need in an emergency setting.

What are the long-term or indirect benefits of your job? Albemarle Health provides their employees with a state retirement package. The long-term benefit of my job is that I am constantly learning something new in the medical aspect that I can use in the future.

How do you see your job benefiting the larger community? There will always be a need for medical care in the area. No matter how big the community gets, we are the facility in the area that provides care for them. The emergency department sees a multitude of patients on a daily basis. We have to be prepared for anything and everything.

— Katelin Kight