Deborah Spann Self
1997 Nursing Graduate
My name is Deborah Spann Self. I am a 1997 graduate of Louisiana Tech. When I began at Tech in 1994 as a Paramedic my goal was to simply enhance my base of knowledge in order to begin building a bridge of communication between pre-hospital and hospital based providers of emergency care. However, I soon realized that by following the example set by the Educators at Tech I could make a difference on a level only imagined up to this point in my life. With wisdom, respect, and humor the Nurse Educators paved the way for me, and those before and after, to become engaged in all aspects of the nursing profession. They provided a fair, consistent, quality education all the while proving that not only could they teach, they could provide bedside care as well or better than others. In addition, they were noted to be impacting nursing legislation on a state and national level. Some of my fondest memories come from the years at Tech. Such as Ms. Chapin looking over the glasses perched on the end of her nose, and laughing at my rather perverse sense of humor; Ms. Moore and her never ceasing compassion and kindness; Ms. Darland being patient with me as I attempted to learn the difference between the many heart and breath sounds on the simulator; Ms. Murphy and the OB floor. (Those of you who were there know what I am talking about.) All of the educators during my years at Tech were wonderful and from my interactions with them I came away with the sense of being gently lead by the masters. Their influence continues to impact my practice and my life daily.
The 10 years since I graduated have been full and happy years dedicated to Rural Emergency Healthcare. My association with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has led to many opportunities including a current seat on the national Government Affairs Committee, the pleasure of serving in 2007 as President for Louisiana ENA, and in September 2007 the receipt of the national Rising Star award. In 2006 I became more actively involved with the Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA) and at this time serve as a Consultant to the Healthcare Committee. I currently hold a position on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Emergency Medical Services for Children and have recently completed a project at our hospital the will serve to help establish guidelines for emergency care of children across the nation.
I am employed as the Director of Emergency Services at Union General Hospital in Farmerville, LA where I am fortunate to have the support of a progress minded Administrator and an enthusiastic, engaged staff that make coming to work a pleasure. In my spare time I enjoy providing different courses for nurses and paramedics, such as ACLS, Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum (TNCC), and the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). It is my hope that during these courses I continue the legacy of quality education passed to me from the nursing educators at LA TECH.
