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Sharon Bartrum, an RN in RiverView's Emergency Department (ED), says the best thing about working at RiverView Health is the small-town atmosphere.

"I have gotten to know many of the patients we have coming to the ED, their children, and even some grandchildren," she shared. "It is also nice to see them when they are healthy at Walmart or Hugo's."

However, her fast-approaching retirement from RiverView, where she has always chosen to work the night shift, will allow her the opportunity to spend more time with her own family.

She's excited to have her evenings free to attend her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities and birthday celebrations. She's also looking forward to an Alaskan cruise with her sisters and spending time at her farm near Itasca.

Not having to work holidays and actually being able to celebrate on the actual day of each holiday are also high on her list of retirement pros.

Bartrum started her RiverView career in 2001 as an LPN in the Intensive Care Unit. She earned her RN degree while working at RiverView and transferred to the ED several years ago, where she said she's enjoyed her time. For the last seven years, she's worked as a house supervisor in the department, which is a convenient four minutes from home. She's also a longtime CPR, PALS, and ACLS instructor.

While she shared that many changes have happened at RiverView throughout her career, she counts computer charting, the new hospital, and automatic vital signs going into patient charts as the most significant factors in improving nursing.

Her advice to someone just starting at RiverView is "to be open to change and be ready to make friends. I have made many while working here, patients and staff."