When Jeanny Camden, LPN, was just 11 years old, she spent six harrowing weeks in the hospital with a ruptured appendix—and the experience nearly broke her. Ignored by nurses, battling a high fever, and later developing MRSA, she left the hospital not just with scars, but with a mission.

“I want to be better than that,” Camden says. “I don’t want to be that person to somebody else.”

Today, that vow shapes every decision she makes as a nurse at Good Samaritan Society – Villisca

, a long-term care center in a close-knit western Iowa town. Known for her compassion, relentless work ethic, and deep love for her residents, Camden is a bright light in a profession where burnout can dim even the most well-meaning hearts.

And for nearly 30 years of turning empathy into action, she’s been recognized as the Nurse of the Week.

I Love My People. I Love Them All.

Camden’s small-town facility serves just over 1,100 residents—but her influence runs far deeper than numbers. As the leader of the center’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement program and its infection control efforts, she has been instrumental in elevating care across the board.

Her secret? Treating every person like they matter—because they do.

“I think the most important part about nursing is making people feel like people and not like something less,” she says.

One of her residents, 85-year-old John Thomas, says he doesn’t get many visitors—but Camden always makes time to stop by and admire his latest crocheted masterpieces. “She’s jolly,” he says with a smile. “This place has been fabulous. All the nurses are friendly, but she stands out.”

Administrator Mike Early agrees. “Jeanny is one of those people who really advocates for the resident and makes sure everything we do is for the right reason. I wish I had 10 more of her.”

A Champion in More Ways Than One

Camden’s impact goes beyond the bedside. Recently, she was named a National Ever Forward Nursing Champion, an honor bestowed on employees who embody the values of Good Samaritan Society. For someone who doesn’t seek attention, the award came as a shock.

“I’m not a spotlight person,” she says with a laugh. “I did cry. I was rather shocked. It makes you feel good. We have great staff here and we show it every day, but that just kind of shows the world that we’re good people.”

Her team wholeheartedly agrees.

“She gives 110% every day without trying,” says activities supervisor Emma Lee, who nominated Camden for the award. “She’s a saint around here.”

RN Phoenix Gaunt adds, “I don’t even know if I can put into words how many reasons Camden deserves this award. She’s a huge team player. She’s willing to do everything she can for the residents, employees—everyone.”

Our Florence Nightingale

That devotion hasn’t gone unnoticed by her coworkers—or the community. Kelly Fletcher, the business office coordinator at the facility, says Camden is nothing short of legendary.

“She’s our Florence Nightingale,” Fletcher says. “Everybody is just so thankful that we’re here and doing the good job we’re doing. And Jeanny is a big part of that.”

Camden’s legacy is built not just on years of service, but on the countless small moments that make her residents feel seen, safe, and cared for.

“They support me. They have for years,” she says of her colleagues. “It means the world to me. It means I’m doing something right. It means I’ve made an impact on somebody’s life.”

And in true Camden fashion, she’s not stopping anytime soon.

“The work isn’t over,” she says. “I’ll keep inspiring my team to give the highest quality of care.”

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.

The post From Patient to Powerhouse: Jeanny Camden, LPN, Turns Trauma into Compassionate Care first appeared on Daily Nurse.