Lanisha Hunter - Voted one of NC's Top 100 Nurses

Lanisha Hunter

Voted one of NC's Top 100 Nurses

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Visionsofgracephotography-Deseree

and 1610stillgrowing-Ashley Stovall

Leap and the net will appear!

Lanisha Hunter of Greensboro, NC, describes the feeling of being named one of NC’s Top 100 Nurses to that of winning a Grammy award for nursing. Out of a group of nearly 153,000 nurses, being selected as one of the 2024 Great 100 is quite remarkable.

Since 2015, Lanisha has served as a Director of Nursing for Cone Health, which is also located in Greensboro, NC. Her responsibilities include nursing director of a general surgery, trauma, and palliative care unit. “I like to say it is a nice “gumbo” of things,” Lanisha shares. “I manage over 60+ employees who vary in roles. I’ve also had the opportunity to open a trial department and worked as an interim leader for several other areas in the past couple of years.”

The field of nursing requires compassion, kindness, empathy, and love; qualities that Lanisha exudes without effort. “I am a humble, God-fearing, and thoughtful individual who is passionate about my work. Most importantly, I try to do all things with a spirit of excellence. Though I am short in stature, I have a big personality and an even bigger smile,” she says.

Lanisha’s character has a lot to do with her upbringing. Her father is a pastor in Statesville, NC, where she spent most of her childhood years. She is one of four children, and along with her sister, she still sings on the praise team at her church every Sunday. Most recently, her life was made complete when she married her love, Bryon Long, in May of 2024, and together, they are learning and growing in this new chapter. Lanisha is also active in her community and enjoys being a part of a wonderful sisterhood.

I am a humble, God-fearing, and thoughtful individual who is passionate about my work.  Most importantly, I try to do all things with a spirit of excellence.

Lanisha’s journey in nursing began nearly 18 years ago. After obtaining her undergraduate degree in nursing from the distinguished North Carolina A&T State University and began working at Cone Health in 2006. Amazingly, Lanisha never thought of herself as a leader. She was always a quiet and timid person, but she says that nursing has taught her to have a backbone, speak up when needed, and advocate for what is right. She is also thankful for someone recognizing her potential and pushing her to do more. Additionally, Lanisha has obtained her Masters and Doctorate in Healthcare Administration.

Being named one of NC’s Top 100 Nurses has also refreshed Lanisha’s love and passion for serving others and provided a sense of confirmation on why she chose this career. She says, “One of the most rewarding things about being a nurse is making a difference in the lives of others. I love seeing the light bulb come on in a new nurse and the appreciation of patients for receiving great care. My cup is often filled when I can help others see the potential that lies within, supporting them to foster it and watching them walk in their purpose. When you hear people say nursing is a calling, I believe that wholeheartedly. It is more than a profession. Even on the hard days, there is usually a moment or action that brings me back to my why. You do the work with integrity and only hope and pray that you are making a difference. This award has shown me that I have done just that. I have tried my best to strengthen the nursing profession in my circle of influence. I hope the seeds I have planted in others will continue to blossom in the years to come. I am blessed to be a part of this sacred work.”

Lanisha credits her parents with having the biggest impact on her life and career. “Neither of my parents went to college but always wanted more for my siblings and me. Growing up we always had what we needed and were taught to value the relationship of family. My father is one of the most resilient people I know,” she says. “He has truly defined what it is to be independent, a hard worker, and to strive to always do your best. My mom is a kind and gentle soul and has taught me to treat others with respect, to not give up on my dreams, and to always keep God first. I have learned many life lessons from them both, and I hope that I have made them proud.”

While Lanisha has enjoyed her career in nursing, it hasn’t come without a few challenges. One of the biggest challenges she has encountered as a nursing leader has been recovery after Covid. She says, “As we know, Covid turned life upside down for many, and working a job where I could not run from it shifted how I looked at healthcare. We really rallied through the pandemic together. The aftermath has been staff retention, burnout, and competition with competitors. As a leader, you have to be flexible, listen to your team, and get creative to do things differently. Allowing the staff to have a voice and become a team of problem solvers has really helped with managing such difficulties.”

For those who may follow a path similar to hers, Lanisha offers some sound and encouraging advice. “Experience is your best teacher. The more you work at your craft, the better you will get at it. Someone is always watching, so make sure that you give them something to see. My father often says, are you going to be a thermostat or a thermometer? Be a thermostat so that you can create the atmosphere around you. I pray that I will have added value and richness to the lives of those I encounter.”

As Lanisha plans for her future, she states that she doesn’t want to look back with any regrets. Besides traveling and spending time with her family, she also intends to work on her nursing craft. Lanisha would also love to create a scholarship for other future medical professionals, open up an adult day center, and continue to mentor future nurses. As stated previously, she isn’t afraid to leap and is more comfortable with taking a leap of faith in life and in nursing.”