Meet Ledyard’s Top Nurse: Liz Stevens

When Liz Stevens, one of Ledyard’s visiting nurses, found out she was selected for the prestigious Nightingale Award, she was surprised and honored.  

“I was called into my supervisor’s office and I was like ah oh,” recalled Stevens. “I didn’t even know it was that time of the year, it was out of the blue.”  

The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing is given to a select few who have been nominated by their supervisors and peers for exemplary work. Stevens’ career began decades ago and started because she’s interested in how things work and she’s interested in people.  

Stevens began her career later in life, after her youngest daughter turned six. She said the first surgery she watched was eye opening but she said later, “you get accustomed to body fluids.”  

Patch sat down with Stevens to find out more:  

What do you like about nursing?

“I like to teach, like people and likes making a difference,” said Stevens. “I feel that at Ledyard Regional VNA we do make a difference in a patient’s life.”  

What have you learned about people through your work as a nurse?

“You learn about how people cope and life experiences,” she said. “It teaches you to be less afraid of things like death and illness. You learn that there’s a huge human capacity to manage all kinds of different situations." 

Stevens said she loves to learn and loves that her field is full of discoveries. She said she has learned a lot for and from her patients.  

“Your personality doesn’t change just because you’re sick,” she said.  

What’s your piece of advice for people seeking better health? 

Stevens said there seems to be a connection between our personalities and our health. We can teach people better behaviors; we’re not just about dealing with what’s going on now. But it’s no secret: diet, regular exercise, fresh air, reduce stress and follow up with your health concerns, said Stevens. “Those are the things we all need to do.”  

And Stevens’ advice for those interested in pursuing nursing as a care:  The opportunities in nursing are so broad and there are so many different areas you can work on. Get as many certificates as you can, especially if you’re starting out young.  

The Nightingale award comes with a banquet dinner, which was held last night, and that was an evening filled with friends and well-deserving peers being showered with praise and appreciation. Stevens said she was bringing friends and family to the banquet but if you see her today, be sure to say congratulations!