Garfield County Hospital District would like to feature their newest licensed nurse who recently joined the Nursing Department, Stephanie Hughes, LPN.

The newest addition to our nursing staff is Stephanie Hughes. LPN.

Hughes was born and raised in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and graduated Lewiston High School in 2004. She began her work experience in retail which she did for several years where she was employed at Liquidation World until it closed in 2007. Her father, at the time, was working at Guardian Angels Assisted Living as a Maintenance Director and told her about a Nursing Assistant position. This transition opened her up to healthcare and it was here that Stephanie’s passion for nursing blossomed.

“I loved healthcare and fell into a niche,” said Hughes, and spent seven years caring for the elderly.

During this time, her grandfather’s health began to decline. Her grandparents encouraged her to further her education in the medical field and helped her obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate.

Hughes later worked for Prestige Care in Lewiston part-time as a CNA that eventually turned into fulltime. She pursued her nursing career while working and acquired her LPN at WWCC in Clarkston. This launched her into a management position in staff development.

In this role, her duties included infection control, staff education and scheduling. While employed at Lewiston Prestige, she attended a two-day conference in Boise, Idaho for wound care and “loved it.” She then was sent to a five-day seminar training for wound care management and received her Wound Care Certification June of 2018.

Since transitioning into this specialty, she states, “It is so broad. In long term care, for me, it’s making their last days their best days.” Working in the Swing Bed Unit at the hospital, Stephanie is grateful for the opportunity to be utilizing her wound-care skills, “I love it.”

She plans on taking continuing education units, to further her skills and knowledge. She has treated a variety of pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and surgical wounds requiring wound therapy and even deep wounds. “It’s fun to watch them heal,” said Hughes.

The broad spectrum of wound care issues can, in some cases, be related to nutrition, diagnoses and compliance. “The biggest thing with wound care is prevention.” Teaching wound care prevention is key and plays a big part in achieving overall improvement.

Hughes’ future goals include going back to school on-line next spring to become a registered nurse and attain her Bachelor of Science Degree. Please join the hospital district in welcoming Stephanie Hughes to her new position.