Serving patients, nurses

Growing up when the career choices for women were secretary, teacher or nurse, Bonnie Shore chose nursing and liked it from the start.

“Nursing is always a learning experience, but I like change if it’s positive,” said Shore, RN.

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Barry Williams / AJC Special

Bonnie Shore is a nurse at Emory University Hospital. ‘It’s a pleasure for me to have this kind of job and know I can help people — especially the people I work with. They’re like extended family,’ she said.

Shore, who graduated from the South Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1958, has been at the bedsides of postoperative patients for the past 29 years at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. In that time, she has learned how to use new technology and better ways to treat sick patients, but one thing hasn’t changed.

“I try to put myself in my patient’s place and ask myself what I would want,” Shore said. “Patients are people and they may respond differently to the same surgery. A nurse can’t be a robot, because everybody’s needs are different.

“Being at the bedside is hard work, but there is just something about seeing the progress of patients that is so gratifying to me.”

In her role as a nurse/scholar, Shore serves as a charge nurse, a preceptor and a mentor for new nurses, and a skills teacher for staff members. She’s also a member of the hospital practice council for quality issues and has helped write educational materials for patients and their families.

“Educating patients or staff is the part of nursing I like best,” Shore said. “The more education we have, the better care we can give.”

Co-worker Frances Davis describes Shore as a “nurses’ nurse” and calls her a strong leader and advocate for patients, families and staff.

When Davis was in the hospital after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, Shore came after work to serve as an advocate and a friend. She visited daily, provided personal care and sat in on doctors’ visits to help Davis understand treatment plans and chart her course of treatment.

“My sister said that Bonnie was ‘the best medicine for me that did not come in a pill or IV form,’ ” Davis said.

“It’s a pleasure for me to have this kind of job and know I can help people — especially the people I work with. They’re like extended family,” Shore said. “I’m very proud to be part of this profession.”