Many who enter the nursing profession claim it was a calling they felt years ago, long before they even entered junior high school. They claim it was something they have always wanted to do.

Nancy LeHardy's story is somewhat different, but no less inspirational.

LeHardy was working as a receptionist at Hillhaven when she suddenly felt ht edesire to go into the nursing profession.

"It hit me suddenly, just like a bolt out of the blue. From there I pursued a career in nursing. I have never looked back," she said.

LeHardy's dedication to the nursing field has caused her to be named one of the top 100 nurses in North Carolina as a part of the Great 100, Inc. The Great 100 is a grassroots organization that seeks to recognize and reward North Carolina's top nurses, as well as provide educational scholarships to nurses.

LeHardy started her studies at Wake Tech, and completed her bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. She completed her master's degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix. She has worked with Nash Health Care since 1983 and currently serves as a senior clinical analyst working with electronic medical records.

Like so many nurses who have been in the profession for more than 30 years, LeHardy has witnessed extensive changes.

"Technology has rapidly transformed health care, and nurses are relied upon more and more. The health care team depends upon nurses more in a collaborative effort with physicians and other health care workers," she said.

Research has also paved the way for evidence-based practice, she said, citing the example of patients who have had a heart attack. Previously, patients were told to spend a minimum of six weeks in bed. Now, as long as patients are stable, they are encouraged to get out of bed as soon as possible and enter a clinically supervised exercise
program.

LeHardy, who resides in Rocky Mount with her husband, Greg Ferguson, was honored by the Great 100 at an awards ceremony in Greensboro in September.