Life & times of Karen Baggerly 1922 .......................... page 9

Page 12 • March 2022 • Golden Gazette The life & times of Karen Baggerly

To her nursing colleagues: Be kind, smile, & keep the faith

After more than 40 years with the Covenant Health system, Regional Chief Nursing Executive Karen Baggerly retired in January.

Baggerly started her career with Covenant Health in 1976 at Methodist Hospital as an overnight surgical intensive care RN.

“I learned quickly how to care for trauma, neurosurgical, and cardiac surgery patients since Methodist was the community’s primary center at that time,” Baggerly said.

“We worked standard eight-hour schedules with one weekend off a month, so I also learned early that my co-workers were my family. Three years later I transferred to the day shift, eventually assuming the charge nurse role.”

Eventually, Baggerly’s hard work helped her earn the title of nurse manager, a position she called her favorite role.

“My career aspirations were never aimed toward administration,” Baggerly said. “I planned to become a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) eventually but fell in love with intensive care and its challenges. I also realized the importance of patient and family interactions in nursing, and I needed that. I became a nurse manager because I wanted to make a difference for those I worked with on the unit.

“I vowed never to forget the value of the direct caregiver in making decisions as a leader. Nor did I have aspirations to advance to nursing director or CNO (chief nursing officer) until the opportunities presented themselves. Once again, I just hoped I could make a difference for my nursing colleagues and our practice at the bedside.”

Some advice Baggerly would give to her younger self is to look at the ‘big picture’ of health care early

in a career. It was that ‘big picture’ outlook that eventually helped her seek Magnet designation for Covenant Medical Center, a goal she achieved in August 2020.

A Magnet designated hospital is a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. The honor came in the midst of one of the greatest health care challenges in a century. “A lot of joy and sadness these last two years for sure,” Baggerly said. “Reflecting on the impact of HIV/AIDS, it took several years for health care to recover and discover a new normal for care delivery. Fortunately, we rebounded quicker after H1N1 and Ebola, but it still took time. I’m sure the healing process post-pandemic will last several years.

“My greatest sorrow with the COVID pandemic is the detrimental impact it’s had on our caregivers and the downstream effect on staffing. I do sometimes feel a little guilty about retiring now when we have substantial challenges ahead, but I am confident that my successors will handle them with wisdom and courage.”

Baggerly said family obligations are a large part of why she chose now to retire. She also wishes to eventually travel once COVID subsides but names her work family as one of the reasons why she stayed with the organization for as long as she has.

“I genuinely consider my colleagues my family, and it has been that way for 45 years,” Baggerly said. “I always had hope, even during the merger and subsequent mishaps, that nursing would continue to do the right thing for the patient. The mission