Beth Poland, a dedicated nurse from Harriman, Tennessee, has been named WATE 6 News’ Nurse of the Month for January in recognition of her longstanding commitment to patient care. With 34 years of experience in nursing, she currently works at Roane County Family Practice. Poland describes nursing as both challenging and deeply rewarding, viewing it as a special calling that has grown even more demanding over time due to evolving practices and technologies.

She initially entered the field after working as a nursing aide in a nursing home and then with a home health agency, which confirmed her desire to care for others; she then pursued formal training at a technical school in Harriman while married and raising two young children, before beginning her career at the downtown Harriman hospital. Poland admits that adapting to modern technology—such as transitioning from paper charts to electronic systems and handling increased scanning—has been particularly difficult for her, given her limited comfort with computers and phones, though she acknowledges its benefits for patient safety.

Previous honorees in the program include nurses like Sue Jasinski, Crystal Shipley, and Shannon Day, who have similarly exemplified exceptional dedication. Nominations for future Nurse of the Month awards are encouraged to highlight local nurses who go above and beyond in their service to the community.

(Photo from footage taken by WATE)