A generous dose of good advice and a love of learning has led Rose Pope, RN, to a lifelong career in nursing. She recently received Piedmont Hospital's annual William C. Winters Award, presented in recognition of her abilities as an outstanding clinician by the hospital's physicians.

But that award might not have been possible, had Pope allowed her frustrations about school to cut short her nursing education more than 36 years ago.

Growing up in Tennessee as the oldest of four children in a single-parent household, Pope always considered herself the caretaker of her family.

"My father died when I was 11; my mother was the high school English teacher in this tiny Tennessee town," she said. "I was in junior high and I remember talking to a nurse and asking her about it, and she said, 'Oh Rose, it's so rewarding, but it's so hard.' "

The recipient of a nursing scholarship, Pope pursued a diploma degree at Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Nashville.

She was determined, but found that her career path was not an easy one.

"My nursing school courses were so hard, and I was so frustrated and discouraged," she said. "I told my mother that I would really like to leave school. She told me if you never practice a day in your life, please get this education."

Pope followed her mother's advice. In the process, she gained a career that has given her satisfaction, some heartache and opportunities to learn.

Today, as a charge nurse at Piedmont Hospital, she oversees a 41-bed cardiology unit with 10 nurses plus support staff. Pope has juggled her job with single parenthood, working the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift almost exclusively.

With the exception of one year in New York state, her entire nursing career has been at Piedmont, where she has earned respect and admiration from both doctors and nurses. Pope is known for running a tight ship, but also for being fair and caring toward her staff.

"Rose is an exceptionally caring person, who never becomes flustered," said Dr. Mark Silverman, chief of cardiology at Piedmont's Fuqua Heart Center.

Silverman, who has been at Piedmont for 34 years, knows Pope well.

"She is always there for her staff and patients, and is a true leader who has great experience," he said.

Pope has also worked on the hospital's med/surg unit. She recalls one of the most emotional times of her career in the early 1990s, when AIDS was at its peak in Atlanta.

"There was a time when a third of my patient population was people with AIDS," Pope said. "We became very close to many of our AIDS patients, and it was devastating to see what the disease did to them."

Over the years, Pope has encouraged and mentored young nurses. She sees the newest crew of graduates as smart and hard-working.

Her advice to them is something she gleaned from a doctor who worked with very ill nephrology patients.

"I used to think my success in nursing depended on whether my patients were cured or got well," she said. "I learned that's not always possible for everybody. But it is possible to make their quality of life and their remaining years better."

Pope sees relationships with patients as an essential part of the job.

"Patients are the reason for nursing. Communication is a key - it's so important that ... you be able to communicate well and explain what's going to be done," she said.

"It can be a frightening and fearful time [for the patient]. Hopefully, you can try and establish a relationship with them and give them some comfort in what you're going to do. I see each day how really brave our patients are. I don't know if I could have that bravery myself," she said.

After 36 years, Pope is still excited about her job. "Today I take care of myself better and that's important for every nurse. Your job can't be your life. But I don't think I can say I have ever gotten up and said, 'I don't want to work today.' "

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