Celebrating a 50-year legacy

2019 marks the 50th anniversary for the Class of 1969. Nurses from this class have been giving back to their communities for decades since they graduated, but what’s also remarkable about them is how many have supported the TGHSON Education Endowment Campaign as part of their legacy.

We spoke with five Class of ‘69 grads to learn more about what inspired them to become nurses and why they feel it’s important to support the nursing workforce of tomorrow.

What inspired you to become a nurse?

Jan: I was 5 years old and I had a short stay in the hospital. I think that’s when I got it in my head that that’s what I wanted to do. My parents even got me a toy doctor’s kit because I must have talked about it so much.

Sharon: My mother always wanted to be a nurse, but she never could. When I got old enough and decided that’s what I wanted to be, she helped me get there.

Barbara: I always wanted to be nurse and then I became one. For the next 50 years, my personal and professional life was fulfilled through nursing.

What made you choose TGHSON for your nursing education?

Cheryl: I applied to Tacoma General because of its reputation. It was well known as a very good place to go to school at the time.

Sharon: All around the country, everyone knew that if you graduated from Tacoma General, you were going to be a high-quality nurse. It was known for being all about the patient experience, and it’s still that way today.

Why do you think it's important to give back to the future generations of nurses?

Rosalind: I’ve always been grateful for the education I got from TGHSON, and without the financial support I received when I was going through it, I would have had to drop out after my second year. Knowing there’s a way for me to provide that same kind of help toother new nurses, that’s what I wanted to do.

Cheryl: Getting an education in nursing is hard and expensive, and the technology in health care has become so overwhelming and complex. We need to do more to help people be better prepared for the work they’re going to do when they start out as a nurse.

Jan: I was able to pursue my true calling as a nurse, so when I think back on my career the question really became, why wouldn’t I give back? We will always need nurses, and we need to make sure there are others who are trained well to take our place.

You can contribute to the future of nursing at MultiCare by making a donation to the TGHSON Education Endowment Fund today.