Seizing Opportunities to Improve Community Health
As the largest healthcare profession in the United States, the field of nursing is a pathway to countless opportunities, from working with hospitals and schools to the entertainment industry, athletic teams and amusement parks.
At West Virginia University, the School of Nursing offers competitive programs that provide students with the skills and clinical experience needed to be successful in today's ever-changing profession – no matter the path they want to pursue. Alumna Gina Moore has taken that training to heart, seizing opportunities to better the health of her community.
“Nursing is an amazing career with excellent job security and a wide range of options,” she said. “Making a difference in the lives of others is so rewarding.”
Moore started her nursing journey in her hometown at Potomac State College in the pre-nursing program before transferring to the Morgantown Campus to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“I have always been a caring person. I liked human anatomy and the sciences, so I thought a nursing career would be perfect.”
Moore said she also knew WVU was the right fit for her future goals.
“I knew I wanted to attend the WVU School of Nursing for the quality and reputation of their program.
“WVU provided a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities that are essential for success.”
Following graduation, Moore started her career in the hospital setting to gain hands-on experience and further develop a well-rounded skill set. She worked in pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center and WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, both teaching hospitals that she says provided her with a wonderful experience.
Once she started a family, Moore began working in the medical clinic setting to enable a more regular schedule. After nearly 15 years, she was ready for a change, and Moore has worked in public health nursing at the Mineral County Health Department for the last 15 years.
“What I love about public health nursing is that it’s different every day,” she said. “Because we are a smaller health department, the nurse has many roles. One day I might be out in the community administering vaccines, the next day might be family planning and an STI clinic, and the following day I could be investigating a communicable disease.”
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges and opportunities to Moore’s role. Her team partnered with neighboring counties to offer vaccination clinics for priority groups to keep their communities’ most vulnerable citizens safe, and they were able to take what they learned and replicate the work for Mineral County’s citizens. Throughout the process, the team worked with many partners, including local law enforcement and emergency medical services, pharmacies, retired nurses and nursing students and the West Virginia National Guard, to efficiently run the clinics and protect as many people as possible. In recognition of her work with the health department serving communities, Moore was selected as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree from West Virginia in 2022.
“Being recognized as a Women of the Year nominee by USA Today during the pandemic was incredibly meaningful to me,” she said. “It was a testament to the hard work and dedication of all healthcare professionals during such challenging times. I felt proud to be part of a profession that was making a difference and helping others when they needed it most. It was a humbling experience.”
As current and future nursing students begin their own journeys, Moore offers advice achieving their goals.
“Nursing school can be challenging but remember to stay focused and dedicated to your studies. Take advantage of all the resources available to you; I found that study groups really helped me. Don’t be afraid to seek help when needed. It is also important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Finally, stay motivated and remember why you chose this profession.”