Editor’s note: There are hundreds of pieces in the healthcare puzzle. And employees are one of them. Registered Nurse, Deb Thingstad shares how she helps make THE difference in providing LEGENDARY HEALTHCARE. Look for more stories this month.

This year Deb Thingstad, registered nurse, will celebrate 20 years working in labor and delivery at Jamestown Regional Medical Center and 42 years as a nurse. She has “always” wanted to take care of others and is known as ‘mother Deb’.

“I like to talk a lot,” smiled Thingstad. It helps her to connect with her patients, get to know them and their needs while they are preparing for delivery.

Before working at JRMC, Thingstad was in Fargo, N.D. at St. John’s Hospital which later became Dakota Heartland. When she moved to Jamestown after 14 years, a friend and colleague wrote her a poem.

She has carried it with her ever since.

The poem is called, “Ode to Mother Deb,” and shared how much her fellow nurses appreciated her work ethic and care for not only her patients and their families, but also her team. Thingstad worked nights for 19 of those years, and many times picked up additional shifts.

Throughout her career, she has been the critical piece to comfort moms and make them at ease as they welcome their children into the world. She has wanted to be a nurse her whole life.

“My mom said that since I was two-years-old, I would carry around a medical kit,” shared Thingstad. She also watched medical shows as she grew up.

When she was younger, her dad wouldn’t let her get a job but agreed to let her volunteer. So she began her career in nursing as a candy striper. “Back then you could do a lot.” She enjoyed taking care of people.

By accident or chance is how Thingstad fell into her role of labor and delivery. As a young mother of one, she wanted to have more children and work less hours. As she looked for positions that fit, obstetrics was one of the only choices.

“Labor and delivery are what I love,” said Thingstad. “I could not imagine doing anything else.”