Nurse Stories
Dollye Benson
LPN
Dollye Benson works as an LPN Supervisor at Golden LivingCenter
- Rose Hill in Berryville, VA, where I also work as a CNA. Dollye
has worked as a healthcare professional for more than 40 years. Her
career began at the old Winchester hospital, performing the duties
of a nursing assistant before it required state certification. When
Dollye was 25, she sought an education to become a Licensed
Practical Nurse (LPN). She was a single mother, attended school
full time and worked full time. Although she had a strong interest
in studying interior decorating, a love that she still has, she
pursued a career in healthcare wholeheartedly.
What has driven Dollye throughout all these years to pursue a
career within the healthcare field is her specific calling to work
with people who require long term care. Dollye likes to be there
for her patients for emotional support, to hold their hand and to
offer whatever help she can. She has worked at Rose Hill since 2004
and has settled into the second shift, which runs from three p.m.
to eleven p.m. She prefers this shift because it allows her to have
more one-on-one time with patients.
Dollye is a woman of significant strength. Her story is one of
perseverance, determination and love. Dollye was born with a birth
defect that affected the development of her left arm. Her left arm
ends right at the elbow. She says that in all of her years of
working in the healthcare profession, this lack of a full-length
left arm has never caused her difficulty in performing her duties
as a CNA, LPN or a LPN supervisor. Throughout her career, she has
raised five children and assisted with raising children of friends
and other family members. Her generosity is readily apparent.
Dollye recommends that youth seek out education to advance into
the expanding medical field. “Go for it all. Learn everything you
can. Do everything you can. See everything you can,” she says.
Her list of requirements of what makes a successful and
competent healthcare professional consists of being patient, caring
and ready-to-work, and active. The most important thing she has to
say to those who are interested in joining the field is: “If your
heart is not in it, then find another position, it is not the one
for you.” I find this is very sagely and articulate advice.
Dollye is past the age for retiring. Although she can choose to
retire at any time, she likes the work and that is why she
continues working. She regrets not continuing her studies to become
an RN, saying she still thinks about returning to school to do so.
Refreshingly, this goes to show that through and through Dollye
Benson’s heart is in her job.
-- Stephanie Frye, CNA