Lori Howard

I started my career as a registered nurse at age 25. I worked on the inpatient rehab unit for six years. After one year, I was a clinical team leader and charge nurse. I then decided that I wanted to learn more, and have more challenging experiences as a nurse. I then transferred from the rehab to the resource pool, where I worked throughout the hospital and clinics for 5 to 6 years. I learned so much in this role, working in the ICU, PCU, NICU, ED, and all medical-surgical units. While working in the resource pool, I also had the experience of working in the pediatric surgical outpatient clinic for several weeks. After that, I was sent to South East Family Medical Clinic. It was meant to be temporary while still working as a resource employee. I stayed there for three months when a permanent position became available at that clinic. I was really enjoying my nursing time there, so I applied, was then hired to work in the clinic, and transferred from the resource pool to the clinic. In the next three years, I worked with training residents and a nurse to care for pregnant women, infants, children, adults, and the elderly. I also assisted with minor procedures and filled in for the phlebotomist as needed. I was then offered a position as a patient care coordinator back at the inpatient rehab unit. I worked in that role for several years and worked on the unit as a bedside nurse, as needed. I changed to a flex position in 2021 until the time I left Carilion in 2024. Now I am doing some private-duty nursing and caring for grandchildren a couple of days a week. I look forward to getting back to what I love: taking care of patients at the bedside.

I volunteered at the local nursing home starting at age 14. As soon as I had a car and my driver's license, I got a job as a home health assistant. I worked in this role for several years while having a young family. This led me to want to give more to my family, and reach for my goal of becoming a registered nurse.