Still hearing from former patients to this day, Glenda G. James, RN, became involved in her profession after being adopted by her foster mother, Mary Elizabeth Chase, who was a minister. From the age of 6 years old, she was helping people and always knew she wanted to be a nurse. She began her professional career as a staff nurse at Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital at Fort Ord, California, in 1966, remaining in this position for two years and serving again later from 1971 to 1973. She then transferred to the Army Dispensary in Gelnhausen, Germany, from 1973 to 1976 and Darnall Army Hospital, now Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1976 to 1979. Following this, Ms. James became a clinical nurse at Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1980 to 1992 and nurse at Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from 1992 to 2005.
Prior to the start of her professional career, Ms. James graduated from the Burge Deaconess Training School for Nurses, now Cox College, in Springfield, Missouri, in 1963. She later become a registered nurse in the state of Georgia. The highlight of Ms. James’ career has been the time she has spent caring for veterans, and has since done much civic work with St. Joseph Children’s School.
Serving as a nurse for the American Red Cross from 1973 to 2005, Ms. James would like to be remembered by her peers for her admiration and affection for all of them; they all got along for the good of the patient. Her family enjoyed her work and served as her ultimate inspiration. Learning to be tolerant and non-judgmental, she encourages those looking to go into her field to have a hobby because there can be sorrow in nursing at times and they need to have something to keep their mind off those things. Ms. James was like every other nurse that worked overtime, came in on their day off or listened to the soldiers when they needed comforting. Listed in the fifth edition of Who’s Who in American Nursing, she now resides in Smyrna, Tennessee, and has been known to enjoy handy work and reading. Furthermore, she is the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren.