Reviewed by: Grace Howard
It’s National Nurses Week! See why Children’s of Alabama nurses love their rewarding careers
Reading time: 3 minutes
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National Nurses Week is May 6-12, and we’re celebrating by learning what makes this such a special field from two incredible nurses.
I sat down with Molly Riggs and Bernittae Richardson—charge nurses at Children’s of Alabama—to hear why they pursued nursing and what they’ve learned in their careers.
Here’s what I learned.
Meet 2 Children’s of Alabama nurses: Molly + Bernittae
Molly Riggs is a Charge Nurse on the Special Care Unit, and she’s been at Children’s of Alabama for 21 years.
Even after two decades as a nurse, Molly still finds something new to love about her job every day.
“There are sad times, but there are lots of fun times. Kids look at life through play, and that’s part of our everyday job—playing with kids!”
Molly Riggs, Special Care Charge Nurse, Children’s of Alabama
Nearing her second year at Children’s of Alabama is Bernittae Richardson, a Charge Nurse in Behavioral Health.
Last June, Bernittae moved back to Birmingham from North Carolina, and she’s loved her role at Children’s ever since.
As Charge Nurses, Molly and Bernittae:
- Make assignments for their respective Children’s of Alabama’s units
- Facilitating the transfer + discharge of patients
- Assists bedside nurses in providing quality care
See current positions open at Children’s of Alabama and join the team that Molly and Bernittae love so much!
3 questions for Molly + Bernittae
1. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
- Molly: “It’s difficult to see some kids sick, but it’s also rewarding to help facilitate in their care, then see them recover and go back home.”
- Bernittae: “The most rewarding part of my job is to see the kids get better and go home.”
2. What do you love about your team at Children’s of Alabama?
- Molly: “We have a great team in special care. It’s fun to come to work when you know there are teammates to make sure your day goes as smoothly as possible.”
- Bernittae: “I have some of the best co-workers. We are family-oriented and we look out for each other.”
3. What is something that nursing has taught you?
- Molly: “When I became a mom, I feel like I became a better nurse because I had a different perspective. Not just showing up and taking care of a kid, but actually seeing the mother’s side of it and relating to families better that way.”
- Bernittae: “Nursing taught me to be more open to change. Never say you’re going to or not going to do something—because you will end up doing it. Behavioral Health was not my first choice, but it was so rewarding that it became my only choice.”
Happy Nurses Week, Birmingham!
We love celebrating all of the incredible, life-changing nurses this week.
For anyone pursuing a career in nursing, these nurses want you to know that the relationships you’ll build and the interactions you’ll have are worth every second of the challenges that come.
Join this team! See what current positions are open at Children’s of Alabama.
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