Millennium Magazine_4th Ed

252 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine I n many ways, Norma Jane Richards, RN, felt that she was a nurse her whole life. She grew up in a family where there were multiple medical issues affecting her loved ones, so she began caring for people at a very young age. When she was old enough to attend college, it seemed only right that nursing was the career path for her to pursue. Ms. Richards graduated from Louisiana State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then got a Master of Science from Texas Women’s University in Dallas in 1981. After her undergraduate years, Ms. Richards became a staff nurse at Charity Hospital, the LSU Female Surgical Unit in New Orleans. One year later, she became a staff nurse in the intensive care unit at Howard Memorial Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi. Following her years at Howard Memorial, Ms. Richards moved on to teaching at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jefferson Davis Campus as an instructor of advanced medical- surgical nursing. She taught at the community college until she retired. Ms. Richards attributes her success to her stubbornness, as well as her philosophy to always believe in the impossible. She works and lives by this philosophy because she has seen the impossible happen right before her eyes. Ms. Richards’ greatest influence was Ruth Carter, a nurse who lived near her as a child and would tell her stories about nursing. Ms. Richards’ brother suffered from a seizure when they were younger, and Ms. Carter saved his life with her nursing expertise. This event inspired Ms. Richards to pursue nursing even more. Ms. Richards calls receiving the award for Instructor of the Year from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as her career highlight. Ms. Richards is also responsible for setting up the first community training center for the college, sponsored by the American Heart Association, of which she is a member. She is also a member of the American Nurses Association, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Mississippi Nurses Association. Listed in several editions of Who’s Who of American Women, Ms. Richards was highlighted in the fourth edition of Who’sWho in American Nursing in 1991. NORMA JANE RICHARDS, RN MEDICAL/SURGICAL NURSE, EDUCATOR (RETIRED) Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Biloxi, MS HEALTH AND WELLNESS