See has worked as a nurse in Randolph County for 40 years
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Debbie See has worked as a nurse for the past 40 years, spending her first 33 years at Davis Medical Center.
Editor's Note: This is the second in a week-long series of National Nurses Week articles.
ELKINS -- Randolph County native Debbie See has spent most of her life doing something she truly loves -- being a nurse.
See has worked in the area as a nurse for the past 40 years, spending her first 33 years at Davis Medical Center before taking up employment at West Virginia Gastroenterology, where she is currently the nurse manager.
"I've pretty much seen and done it all the past 40 years," said See. "I worked in day surgery, the recovery room, pediatrics, medical, ICU, and pretty much anywhere else they needed me when I was at Davis Medical. But I've loved every minute of it and I can't imagine doing anything else other than being a nurse. I've basically done it my whole life."
See is a 1980 graduate of Elkins High School and earned her nursing degree from Davis & Elkins College in 1982.
Though she's been on the job for decades at this point, she does not see retirement as something in her immediate future.
"I always wanted to be a nurse so that I could help people," she said. "I really enjoy what I'm doing now as a GUI nurse, so I really don't know if I will ever call it quits, because I just love what I do. It would be hard for me to retire."
See says that her father and her husband have been her support systems throughout her journey in the nursing profession. Her husband is Randolph County Commission President Chris See.
"My father always encouraged me to be whatever I wanted to be," she said. "When I told him I was interested in becoming a nurse, he told me that I needed to pursue it. And my husband, who I got together with when I was in nursing school, was very supportive and continues to be to this day."
See's daughter, Samantha Bel Montes, has followed in her mother's footsteps and is a registered nurse in Arizona.
Like all nurses, See is glad that the worst is hopefully behind us when it comes to COVID-19.
"It was tough for everyone when the COVID numbers were surging," she said.
"Some of our nurses at West Virginia Gastroenterology went and helped the hospital out and helped take care of patients there," See said. "But it was pretty tough and hopefully the worst of it is behind us."