Lovett urges nursing students to become advocates for patients

ALBANY — As Albany State University kicked off its 115th Founders Day Celebration on Monday, registered nurse and ASU alum Elizabeth Lovett lectured nursing students on the challenges and rewards that await them upon graduation.

“Take advantage of the opportunities your teachers give you, but you are smart and quick learners,” Lovett said. “In a rural setting, you have to learn to be everything to everybody and adjust to your environment. Make a commitment to doing the right thing. Remember, employers are not looking for good nurses, they are looking for great nurses.”

Lovett is a 1974 graduate of Albany State College (now University), where she received a bachelor of science degree in Nursing. She completed requirements for her master of science degree in the discipline in 1992. She has practiced as a nurse for most of her professional career, whether servicing the health needs of patients, teaching/training post-secondary students to pursue careers in the health profession, or developing programs to address the health needs of southwest Georgia.

“As a nurse you are going to be challenged in metro and rural areas alike,” Lovett said. “Don’t hang out with negative people, they will drain you. Read your books and become a bootstrapper.”

By definition, a bootstrapper is a person who relies on his or her own resources to solve a problem or pursue an undertaking.

“You will learn things by being a bootstrapper, it will help you along the way,” Lovett said. “Some people won’t study. It’s up to you if you want but won’t; if you do or won’t do. Like I said earlier, don’t be around negative people. I want you all to become patient advocates, do this for the rights of patients.

“When I advocate, it is for someone who is less fortunate that doesn’t know any better. And that’s what you must become. You want to make sure that all the available resources are there for your patient. I became a patient advocate because I saw all the other older persons, the underprivileged people … I saw them lying on the stretchers and they had no one to advocate for them. You have to become their advocates.”

The week’s ASU Founder’s Day celebration schedule includes a new addition to activities: the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series. The weeklong series, which started on Monday and culminates on Friday, will highlight professionals from ASU’s broad alumni base. The series provides an opportunity for alumni to invest in the professional development of university students by offering insight into various career fields.

During the week, various speakers will discuss topics in the areas of entrepreneurship, business, education, medicine, management, safety and more. All lectures are free and open to the public. Lecturers include:

Angela Shumate: “Making Connections in Education,” Tuesday, 10 a.m. at Billy C. Black Building auditorium;

Chief David Perry: “The Benefits of Graduate Education for Albany State University,” Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., 143 Black Building;

Erika Estrada: “The Road Well Traveled: The Importance of Resilience in Business and Your Career,” Wednesday, noon at 127 Peace Hall;

Kenya Lemon: “Planning for Success,” Thursday, 10 a.m. at Lovett Hall.

The annual Founder’s Day convocation will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the Billy C. Black Auditorium. ASU alumnus and former Dougherty County School System Superintendent John Culbreath is the keynote speaker.

The Friday celebration also includes a graveside service at Holley’s burial site, located on the lower East Campus, immediately following the convocation.