Nevada Nurses Association Announces Recipient of 2004 Honorary Recognition Award

The Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) is proud to announce the recipient of the Honorary Recognition award for 2004 - Virginia Enns RN BSN - Ginny, as affectingly called, has a extensive nursing history and has always been a patient advocate, promoting that nurses accept their patients as a person with their own uniqueness, tradition, and values. She believes nurses should play a major role in health care, in the community and in their profession; and that every nurse should be involved in their professional organization. She joined the ANA in 1958 and Has held numerous NNA local and state position including president, secretary, board member. She is the "best " in whatever role she attained. Virginia is currently the chairperson for the Retired Nurse Special Practice Group

Virginia is a transplant like so many Nevadans'; she was born in Aurora, Illinois to Milton and Berneta Jewett, lived in IL and IN then the family moved to CA; spent high school years in Victorville, CA. Went to UC Davis for Home Economics degree; then decided on a nursing career and graduated from Samuel Merritt School of Nursing in Oakland, California in 1957; completed her BSN in 1964 at Sacramento State. Her early nursing career was staff nursing in Sacramento and included post surgical, surgical, trauma ICU and staff education (orientation, teaching a class for aides and started "Team Nursing" in a 250 bed hospital.

She married Norvie Enns in 1964 and moved to Reno in 1966. Virginia spent nineteen years in Public Health including visiting nursing, general public health, family planning coordinator, and coordinator of the adult day care; while in between working on a masters at Orvis. She also worked two years in Elko at an extended care facility; though school nursing was "my bag" for eight years in Washoe County elementary schools while our children were young. Norvie and Virginia have two sons, James and Michael, and as a family enjoyed camping and out door activities. Both sons live and work in the Reno area; Michael's son, Ian is ten and. Jim and Stephanie's daughter, Abby, is two and a half, "we see fairly frequently and enjoy". Virginia and Norvie are members of the Reno Gem and Mineral Society. Norvie teaches Silver jewelry fabrication and Virginia enjoy beading and crafts. She has always been generous with her talents and donated many items for NNA fund-raisers. Virginia has also held an interest in sewing and currently belongs to the Truckee Meadows Quilters.

Virginia Enns RN BSN, who is currently employed by the Washoe Health Department in the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Clinic. "One of my highlights was the responsibility for a large TBc epidemiology investigation in the 90's". "The study had so many fascinating and enjoyable aspects". .

Virginia's nursing career has been very diversified with 39 years full time and now seven additional years part time in Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Clinic.

Virginia has been recognized by NNA in 1990 as the nominee in ANA's Search for Excellence. Honored by the Alzheimer Association of Northern Nevada for service as support group facilitator and member of the Board. She has served on St. Mary's Home Heath and Hospice professional Advisory Board and also on the Nevada State Board Professional Advisory Committee for CNAs. She has been published with "Care of a Patient on Cancer Chemotherapy:, RN MAGAZINE November, 1963;

"Philosophy of School Nursing", RNFORMATION , Fall, 1980.

Congratulations Virginia!

Copyright Nevada Nurses Association Feb 2005
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