Title: Registered Nurse
Company: St. Vincent Health Care Anderson
Location: Alexandria, Indiana, United States
Deborah S. Hale, RN, MHSA, registered nurse at St. Vincent Health Care Anderson, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Nurses for dedication, achievements, and leadership in health care.
With four decades of experience to her credit, Ms. Hale has established a successful career in health care, specializing in psychiatry. She currently serves as a registered nurse at St. Vincent Health Care Anderson, where she works in acute psychiatry. In this role, she ensures the safety and well-being of individuals struggling with their mental health, and her responsibilities include receiving reports in the morning, administering medications, making rounds with doctors, and actively participating in group therapies with patients. She also engages in discussions about discharge planning and assists with emergency detention orders, navigating legal aspects such as court holds and involving judges when necessary for psychiatric evaluations.
In addition to her professional work, Ms. Hale dedicates her time as regent and state president for the Daughters of the American Revolution, volunteers at local nursing homes, and contributes her time to the National Indian Education Association and local high schools. Laying a solid educational foundation, she earned an associate degree in nursing from Anderson University in 1977, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ball State University in 1994, and a master’s degree in health services administration from St. Joseph’s College in 2005. She is also a certified registered nurse.
Throughout her career, Ms. Hale has achieved significant success in various collaborative projects, particularly those focused on mental health, with her efforts to reduce patient length of stay and promote patient acceptance yielding positive results. Reflecting on the industry, she has observed a growing reliance on digital technology in health care, a trend she feels detracts from the personal connection between nurses and patients. She prefers traditional paper charts, which allow for more direct interaction and communication. She also expresses concern that the increasing digitalization of health care may dehumanize patients and reduce the overall quality of care, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong personal relationships in nursing.
Ms. Hale is currently focused on promoting literacy for children, particularly at Mound State Park, where she has collaborated with the park’s director and naturalist to establish a rotating bookshelf for kids. This program encourages children to take a book without needing to leave one in return, enhancing their park experience with literature about animals, nature, and wildlife. The primary goal is to foster a love for reading and promote literacy among park visitors. She attributes her success to determination and perseverance, driven by a competitive spirit that compels her to always strive for the best. She says she is fully committed to any task that captures her interest, rarely leaving anything unfinished.
Looking ahead, Ms. Hale aspires to become a state officer in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Additionally, as a master gardener and a naturalist, she plans to continue practicing in those areas. She also remains dedicated to making a positive impact in her community and within state government. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting stamps, studying history, researching genealogies, antiquing, and gardening.
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