When Linda K. Clady Detillion, LPN, RN, NCLNC, was 6 years old, she had to have her tonsils taken out and she thought the nurses were great. The nurse was so kind to her and she was fascinated by what the nurses did. After that experience, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. Ms. Detillion began her professional career as a charge nurse at Oakwood Manor in Bucyrus, Ohio, in 1985, remaining in this position for one year before serving as a pool nurse at Mansfield Personnel Pool from 1986 to 1990. She then joined Crestline Hospital for one year before serving as supervisor at Heartland of Bucyrus from 1991 to 1992. Now semi-retired, she works as a private care legal nurse and consultant since 1992.
Prior to the start of her career, Ms. Detillion pursued a formal education at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she became a licensed practical nurse, with honors, in 1985 and attaining an Associate Degree in Nursing, with honors, in 1990. Likewise, she is also a certified legal nurse consultant and registered nurse. Since graduating, Ms. Detillion has served as a fundraiser volunteer with the Women of the Moose, a unit of Moose International that provides social, educational and community service opportunities to its members, as well as sporting events and activities geared toward the entire family.
Mary Katherine Fligor Clady raised Ms. Detillion after her mother passed away, and she encouraged her and played an important role in her life. Outside of her primary trade, she was involved with the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc., and volunteered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She was also the secretary-treasurer of the Organization of Associate Degree Nurses, the only national organization dedicated to associate degree nursing. Because Ms. Detillion was a patient many times, having suffered three brain aneurysms in 2009, she understands where the patient is coming from. Patients are like an extended part of her family. She would like to be remembered by her peers as someone who enjoyed working with everybody; she wouldn’t do second best. The advice that she can offer the next generation or others aspiring to work in her profession is that it is a very worthwhile profession and to always remember why you are there, which is to help and care for people like your family.