Get to Know Nurse Practitioner Ruby Thomas

Long-time Hillcrest employee Ruby Thomas, APRN-CNP, is a key player in the bariatric program at Bailey Medical Center. Thomas is giving us an in-depth look into her nursing career and what she enjoys most about working at Bailey.

Why did I become a nurse?

I became a nurse because of my passion to be a part of the healing process. I believe that nursing is simply to give tender loving care while applying it to the everyday concept of medical care. I became a nurse to help others feel better and hopefully make a difference in someone's life by always trying to be positive and provide care with a smile on my face.

What made me further my education and become a nurse practitioner?

I wanted to advance my nursing career as a nurse practitioner so that I can practice at the expert level and give my patients the best health care possible. I believe in disease prevention. NPs play a very important role in educating the patients in a primary care setting with screening for disease prevention. 

How long have you been working at Bailey?

I started out my career as a staff nurse at Ardent with Hillcrest Medical Center, and I have worked in multiple roles as charge nurse, float pool ICU nurse, house supervisor and transfer coordinator. I transitioned to become an NP and have been at BMC since April 2016.

What do you like most about working at Bailey?

I love Bailey because it is closely connected as a team. Patient care is always placed first.  The management is deeply involved in the staff and it truly feels like a well-knit close family. The staff is very pleasant and very helpful. Bailey is also closely linked to the local community and is actively involved in most community organizations.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue a nursing career?

I believe nurses are angels on earth. Not everyone can be a nurse. It takes a special heart to be a nurse. A nurse has to be empathetic, well educated, professional and also extremely compassionate. It is a form of giving back to the community and to mankind. There is a satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference to one person’s life.