THE HEART OF HEALTHCARE: Celebrating National Nurses Week
May 8, 2025
THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE: CELEBRATING NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Think about the last experience you had in a health care setting – from routine visits to planned procedures and beyond, nurses are at the core of the care you receive. These tireless experts have dedicated their lives to caring for others – and each year, National Nurses Week gives us a special opportunity to recognize their work.
With approximately 4.3 million nurses in the US, there are many extraordinary individuals who work in this field. Whether they’re prepping a patient for surgery, coordinating with physicians or providing recovery support, our nurses are always focused on what matters most: a genuine care for patients.
To celebrate National Nurses Week, we’re highlighting two of our very own Mississippi Valley Surgery Center nurses as we celebrate not only our team of incredible nurses, but nurses across the country.
Nurse highlight: Liz Kluever, RN
Liz Kluever, RN, has always had a heart to help – especially when it comes to children. Growing up, she pictured herself becoming a teacher, working directly with kids every day. However, as Liz got older, her interests shifted with a career in health care becoming the goal.
She followed that passion, becoming a pediatric nurse in 2016. Eventually, she transitioned to working as an operating room nurse, where she manages a wide range of care needs for patients of all ages at MVSC.
“It didn’t take long for me to discover the health care field was where I was meant to be,” Liz said. “I loved the fact that I could help people. I still got to work with kids, just in a little different way than originally planned.”
As a nurse at MVSC, Liz spends most of her days at the surgery center but will occasionally “float” to the endoscopy center when needed. She assists with everything from total joint replacements to the placement of ear tubes in children.
One of the benefits of nursing, in Liz’s opinion, is the variety of specialties you can pursue. The staff at MVSC is made up of registered nurses (RNs), as well as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and endoscopy technicians, each one providing an important part of care for patients every day.
“Many people don’t realize how much knowledge and expertise comes with being a nurse,” she said. “When you see a nurse that has one specialty, know that it’s something that they’ve put all their brainpower and heart towards.”
A job that’s intensive both mentally and physically, the job goes beyond health, science and attention to detail. It also requires a caring, personable touch. Liz said staying mentally grounded outside of work is important to be her best self on and off the clock.
“It’s important not to lose sight of who you are outside of work,” she said. “For me, I’m a mother, a wife and a daughter. I always want to stay connected to the people in my life and be able to be there for them fully outside of work.”
The notion of connection is important to Liz while on the job, too. For her, it’s all about connecting with patients and her team to create the best experience possible.
“To me, it’s not just taking care of patients,” Liz said. “It’s more about getting to know the person and figuring out their story. I like providing that connection and support. And when it comes to connecting with our team, to be honest, MVSC is probably the only place I’ve worked where I felt like it was my second home. Everyone here kind of has a piece of your heart.”
Nurse highlight: Ally Hamerlinck, RN
For Ally Hamerlinck, the journey to a career in nursing started in the womb, alongside her twin brother, who was born with a blood disorder called hemophilia. Caused by a deficiency in clotting factors, hemophilia is generally considered a rare disease, affecting approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. and often requiring regular infusions and treatments.
“With my brother’s disorder, he was always in the hospital at the University of Iowa,” Ally said. “Seeing how the nurses treated him and made him feel safe and comforted, and even had fun with him, is what made me want to become a nurse myself.”
Ally’s interest in the health care industry only grew as she did – often thinking back to the time she spent in the hospital with her family.
“When I started, I worked in pediatrics,” she said. “I even worked on the floor where my brother was treated. It was a real full-circle moment.”
Now, nearly 10 years into her nursing career with five years at MVSC, Ally has transitioned over to pre- and post-op work, often assisting in the operating room as well. And while her specialty has changed, her commitment to patient care has remained a top priority. She also understands it’s equally important to prioritize herself to continue providing the best level of patient care.
“Together, nurses create an amazing support system,” she said. “In addition, I love spending time with friends and family after work to decompress. They just don’t want to hear about bodily fluids as often, especially before dinner.”
Self-care is critical for this role. It’s not only emotionally demanding but physically demanding too. One thing that helps? Comfortable shoes.
“Shoes are everything in this job,” Ally said. “Everyone has their brand, but basically every six months you have to get a new pair, or else your dogs will be barking.”
It’s clear that Ally’s lighthearted nature is part of what makes her such a caring nurse, another critical part of the job.
“I’m so happy I can provide hope and comfort in my job,” she said. “We have an impact on patients, and they have an impact on us. You have to have heart and empathy to do this job right.”
Showing care for the experts in patient care
As we celebrate National Nurses Week, we’d like to not only thank Liz and Ally, but all the wonderful nurses at Mississippi Valley Surgery and Endoscopy Center. Their ability to stay calm under pressure, connect deeply with patients and support our team is why they truly are at the heart of health care.
If there’s a nurse you’d like to recognize during this week – or beyond – please let us know! Contact our team to share your appreciation or send in a quick note and we will share.