At the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS), everyone does their part to continue its operations to keep people safe. As COVID-19 has forced teammates and the incarcerated population alike to change the way they go through their days, teammates in medical services are going above and beyond as they educate teammates and incarcerated population. Licensed Practitioner Nurse (LPN) Summer Brandt said her teammates have all played a part in making sure everyone is keeping their areas clean. “We have been more diligent about keeping germs to a minimum and are keeping some social distance between each other. Once the threat of COVID-19 has passed, I would like to see this continue to prevent any other illness such as the common cold.”

Brandt works at the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center (DEC) and also the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln (CCC-L). She’s been at the facilities since 2016 and noted she came to NDCS because she needed a change and wanted to experience something new. “I have learned so much. Being at DEC and CCC-L has strengthened my skills as a nurse and helped build my character to become a leader to help other medical staff coming in.”

Days are always busy in the skilled nursing facilities Brandt works in. She loves always having something to do and the opportunity to learn something new on a regular basis. “Nursing is a passion. You have to want to help people and be a people person. You need to treat people holistically. People are not just about their immediate medical issue. They have stress wherever they live that can affect their medical issues.”

Brandt is focused on developing her leadership skills and tries to help her teammates when they need her. “I try to cover open shifts so people are not getting burned out, try to show teammates correct procedures and give positive feedback when I see my teammates and inmates doing good. I try to listen and be understanding when someone presents a problem to me. If I cannot fix it, I try to steer them in the right direction to get the help they need.”

Thank you for what you do LPN Brandt and medical services!