Nurses Week: St. Vincent Caregiver Reflects on More than 50 Years of Service

This Nurses' Week, we want to recognize Ellie Devitt, a St. Vincent caregiver with 53 years of service to our organization and community. 

Ellie was part of one of the last graduating classes from the original St. Vincent School of Nursing in 1969. Ellie worked in pediatrics from when she graduated as a nurse until 1995 and enjoyed caring for our youngest patients. In 1996, she was part of the original team to launch the St. Vincent Transfer Center and has worked with the team ever since. 

"These are both great departments to work in," she shared. "Most of us in the transfer center are nurses. Although we are not at the bedside, we do a lot of critical thinking, bouncing things off each other and learning together." 

Her current office is in the Marillac Hall, which initially served as a dorm and classrooms for the nursing students where Ellie studied and lived while at the Nursing School. Now that she is back in Marillac Hall, she feels she has come full circle. 

When reflecting on her long career, Ellie shared that the people and the fulfilling work have kept her here at St. V's for more than 50 years. 

She shares advice and guidance for young nurses planning the next steps in their careers ."There is so much opportunity for nurses now," she shared. "Find an area where your passion is. That is a big part of it. If you enjoy what you do, why would you go elsewhere?" 

Thank you, Ellie, for your many years of service to our community, and Happy Nurses' Week to you and all of our St. Vincent Nurses. ❤️