“From caring comes courage.” ~ Lao Tzu
People who embody heroism and selflessness come from all walks of life. Imagine if your passion and your life’s work was centered around being a caretaker to the afflicted. Envision if your calling was to be someone who administered joy and happiness to others in their time of greatest suffering. Nancy Smith has been just such an angel on Earth.
July 31st, 2024 was Nancy’s last day as the Assistant Nurse Manager of the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Over the span of 49 years, Nurse Nancy Smith made a profound indentation in the hearts of so many. We were blessed to have her answer some questions for this month’s feature.
As stated by Chad Tucker, whose daughter, Pearl Monroe (Roe Roe) Tucker, was cared for by Nancy throughout her treatment for leukemia:
“Nancy loves with her heart and hands. She doesn’t like attention but deserves so much praise for the impact she’s had on thousands of lives.”
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in King. My daddy was a car salesman at Stokes Motor Company, and my mom was a secretary at King Elementary for almost 30 years. I was the baby of the family, my mom and dad had three children and, when my mom was pregnant with her first, my father took a 16-year-old boy in, and he was like my older adopted brother. We had a great big loving family.
Tell us more about your process, your desire and the journey of becoming a dedicated nurse.
As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. Several events/people influenced that process, the desire and my journey. We had dear friends of our family, Bill and Carolyn Jones, who influenced me greatly. Bill was the town doctor and Carolyn was like his “nurse.” While at his house, once in the middle of the night, a family brought a sick child there. I witnessed his kindness, love and the care he provided them. What an amazing introduction to caring for others.
Also, my two-and-a-half-year-old brother died with meningococcemia at North Carolina Baptist Hospital. I was a baby then but was so affected by the stories that were told to me of his short, beautiful life.
Once I was a nurse, Dr. Richard Patterson was the pediatric oncologist at Baptist Medical. He was like the epitome of dedication and excellence in caring for the sick. I was working nights, and the only time I saw him was when a patient became really sick or if a precious child had died. He always came in and spent so much time with the family, then we walked to the car with them. God’s work in action, helping the sick and occasionally the dying. I just knew becoming a nurse was where God wanted me to be.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your early years in nursing?
As a new nurse, I was so young and, of course, inexperienced. I began working as a night nurse in the pediatric inpatient unit. I had the desire to be a nurse, but the challenges of actually caring for sick children, babies and teenagers were scary. Fortunately, a group of great, seasoned nurses and Dr. Patterson taught me and mentored me.
Describe some of the most profound blessings you witnessed as a nurse.
The fact that these patients and families allowed me the privilege of loving and caring for them were the blessings. I have been blessed by them by witnessing and learning about courage, fight, love, sharing good times and hard times. They are my blessings.
Your work as a pediatric nursing hero is clear, what do you think those who cherish you might say about you?
I hope and pray they would say that maybe I helped make their journey through a difficult time better or easier because of the love and care I gave them.
What are the lessons you came away with pertaining to life and death?
Life is precious. No matter how short or long. They taught me how important hope/faith are. I am stronger, and my faith is stronger because of them. God directed me here at this time for this purpose. That I know.
What kept you motivated to be such a force for good for so many patients and their families?
Love, God’s love. I believe God directed me here, He blessed me. We take life one day at a time. You go, you love, you take care of these patients and families. You make a difference in their lives. I have loved every moment. Yes, some days were very hard. I would not change one thing about my profession as a nurse. My hardest decision ever was trying to decide how and when to retire. That has definitely been a struggle.
Tell us how music figured into how you helped so many patients over the years. (Nancy would often sing to/with her young patients to distract them lovingly from their treatments.)
Growing up, we always had music at our home. We’d sing in the car while taking trips. At home, my daddy would play the piano. Music can often open the soul to love, laughter and beauty. I am a really bad ukulele player, but we would pull it out in the clinic and write songs, usually silly ones, for patients and staff. We’d just allow music to take you to another plateau of joy.
Describe what it’s like to have scholarships named in your honor. (Each year, Roe Roe’s Heroes Childhood Cancer Foundation awards eight nursing scholarships in Nancy’s name.)
It still doesn’t seem real. The day Roe Roe’s parents – Chad and Meredith Tucker – came to the clinic and told me, I couldn’t grasp it. I am overwhelmingly honored. I don’t deserve it but feel so blessed to be a part of the process of helping young folks pursue their dreams of becoming nurses with this scholarship.
