HCI Care Services nurse recognized

Each day, more than 3.1 million registered nurses provide care, contributing to the largest health care profession in the nation.

Mt. Pleasant?s Kim Verrips is among these individuals helping patients and their families in Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Van Buren and Washington counties at a time when they need it most. As a nurse with HCI Care Services of Southeast Iowa, she specializes in pain and symptom management, enabling patients and their families to live their lives as fully as possible, enjoying the people and traditions they love. She also teaches care practices to patients and their families.

?To be chosen to do this kind of work is very humbling, and I am thankful for all the people who have invited me into their lives to care for them. It truly is an honor,? Verrips said.

Verrips has been a nurse with HCI Care Services for nearly seven years as part of her 10-year nursing career. She earned her nursing degree from Southeastern Community College in West Burlington. She is also one of only 273 Iowa nurses certified in hospice and palliative nursing accreditation through the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses. HCI Care Services is the only hospice in the area to support this certification of its staff, demonstrating its commitment to excellence and to providing quality of life.

?We recognize Kim on National Nurses Week and appreciate her commitment to improving health care throughout the year in the communities we serve,? said Terry Terrones, RN, MSN, CHPN, regional director for HCI Care Services.

Beginning May 6 and ending on May 12, the birthday of nurse pioneer Florence Nightingale, National Nurses Week highlights the contributions of these professionals improving lives in various health care settings.