Beaufort Memorial Clinical Instructor Juanita Singleton-Murray, RN, has been honored with a 2013 Palmetto Gold Nursing Award, the premier statewide nurse recognition program that salutes exceptional nursing practice and commitment to the profession. Singleton-Murray has worked in the field of nursing for 26 years and has spent 24 of those years at Beaufort Memorial.

[caption id="attachment_11202" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Juanita-Singleton-Murray-w-Trish-Deems.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11202" alt="Juanita Singleton-Murray with Trish Deems" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Juanita-Singleton-Murray-w-Trish-Deems-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" /></a> Juanita Singleton-Murray with Trish Deems[/caption]

She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina and her Masters of Science in Nursing from South University. In addition to her work as Clinical Instructor, Singleton-Murray also serves as a relief Nursing Supervisor and a Mental Health Staff Nurse and serves on a long list of nursing committees at the hospital.

She has also worked as an informatics nurse, assisting with the implementation of two electronic medical records systems and continues to work with new nursing staff, educating them on the hospital’s documentation system.

“My passion has always been education,” she said. “I love being able to combine my clinical expertise and my passion for teaching.  It is rewarding being able to work with the staff watching them learn and grow in confidences and skill and knowing that I had the opportunity to assist with this growth and development.”

Among her responsibilities in the education department, Singleton-Murray assists TCL and USCB nursing students with care improvement strategies and coordinates weekly meetings to improve communication.

“I just get an unexplainable feeling knowing that I played a small part in the success of these nurses, keeping in mind that one day they may be taking care of me,” she said. “I try to instill in them the concept of ‘when you look at that patient, see yourself or a family member and treat them the way you would want to be treated.’”

She has also worked for years as a Basic Life Support instructor, providing education for staff and in the community with special focus on minority churches and daycare centers. She has a special passion for children’s issues and working with children in need.

“Juanita shows a deep commitment to the Beaufort community and she works tirelessly to advance the nursing profession,” said Trish Deems, BMH education director, who nominated Singleton-Murray for the award.

One hundred nurses were selected from the nominations received and honored during a formal gala.