Editor’s note: Answering  The Purcell Register’s five questions this week is Tammy Lang, a nurse in Dr. Rick Schmidt’s clinic.

Q. How did you get into nursing?

A. My Father was my inspiration to go into nursing. He was born with a heart defect and watching his care from nurses and physicians was challenging and rewarding. That helped me decide on a nursing career.

Q. What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

A. The most rewarding part of nursing for me is helping others and making life-long friends. Knowing that I can give comfort to others that need it is rewarding. Nursing isn’t just the medical side, it’s lending a shoulder and just listening when a patient needs to talk. 

Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

A. The most challenging part of nursing to me would be not being able to help everyone. The communication barrier is a big part. Trying to make a plan of care for a patient with language issues or physical impairment is challenging at times.

Q. How has medicine changed since you started working?

A. The standard of care is totally different now. With compliance and regulations cutting back on medication they will cover and hospital stays are shorter due to costs and staff shortages. It’s very challenging to find the right plan of care for patients nowadays You can’t just prescribe meds and do testing that needs to be done without jumping through hoops.

Q. What are your hobbies and interests outside the office?

A. My hobbies and interests are my grandchildren and gardening. My grandchildren are my most rewarding and wonderful part of my life. They make me want to wake up every morning to be the best person I can be. I also enjoy working in my garden, my peaceful place in my yard.