HOMETOWN HERO: Patty MacManamy, BSN, RN

 

Patty MacManamy has been a registered nurse since 2016. (In addition to her RN designation, Patty holds BSN, ACLS, PALS, ASLC, TNCC and ENPC certifications.) In 2020 she received the Remarkable Nurse Award. She was also appointed a Preceptor, with the privilege of training new graduate nurses and others transferring to her department. She is also a member of ENA, Emergency Nurses Association.

Patty has been married to husband, John, for 38 years and has four children and six grandchildren, four of whom are in Davidson. In her spare time she enjoys family time, various outdoors activities, including hiking, and enjoying a good cup of tea.

Tell me about your day job. 

I serve our community as a registered nurse in the Emergency Room at Novant Health in Huntersville.

How did you uncover this passion?

As a young girl growing up in Kentucky, I planned on being a doctor. I even started pre-med at the University of Oklahoma right after high school. But I met my husband and put that dream on hold for love, spending the next years focusing on my family and raising my four children, including my niece that joined our family at the age of 14.

My mother became a nurse and served her community for 20 years. I loved visiting her at the hospital, as well as taking part in visitation calls during my years in church work.

In 2010-2011, some family members encountered serious health conditions. After spending houhrs in hospitals with them alongside my family, my passion to join the healthcare community re-ignited.

So, after years serving people in ministry alongside my husband, and moving back to North Carolina, I returned to school to complete what I started a few decades ago. I enrolled in CPCC and applied to their nursing program. Again, I found my love for learning about the human body and my years in ministry gave me insight into the human condition.

What inspires you every day?

I love what I do. Making connections with individual patients in their time of need motivates me. People come to the ED with physical ailments and many are scared about what they’re facing or what might be. Knowing I have the opportunity to make a difference for someone is motivating.

 What are your challenges and speed bumps along the way?

This year has brought challenges for us all. Serving in healthcare during this time stretched my capacity for change, as protocols changed frequently during the early days of facing this pandemic. Thankfully, I work for an organization that supports its frontline nurses with the appropriate PPE. We have learned a lot and continue to serve our community with the latest evidence-based practices.

Secrets to staying motivated and positive?

Comforting a patient who is alone and needing to be seen or heard. Seeing someone’s condition improve after providing care. Sometimes a patient or family member writes a note or verbally shares how my care has impacted them and that is encouraging.

 

How can Davidson residents best support you?

Pray. Follow current guidelines and extend appreciation to all those serving, in whatever capacity. We live in a wonderful community and as we extend kindness and patience to one another, we will be stronger.