The Pike County pipeline is primed and pumping. The nursing pipeline, that is. No fewer than 13 Illini Community Hospital employees began their careers as patient care assistants, certified nurse assistants or techs, became registered nurses, and are on staff today caring for Illini patients.
Heaven Utterback is the latest product of the pipeline, and Illini Community Hospital employee success story.
Heaven and Bailey Ottwell worked together during high school as CNAs at Liberty Village in Pittsfield. When Bailey left to join the Illini staff, she did not forget her coworker. Bailey told Illini nurse manager Alyssa Heavner, RN, that there was a good CNA at Liberty Village who would be a good fit at Illini. Alyssa suggested Bailey ask Heaven to apply at the hospital. She did and Heaven got the job.
Bailey continued her education and advanced from CNA to registered nurse on the Illini staff. Heaven has done the same, advancing from CNA to LPN and now is one of Illini’s newest RNs.
“She got started here and everyone loved her,” Alyssa said of Heaven. “She was going to school and working here full-time nights. On Christmas and spring breaks she was always willing to pick up extra shifts.”
Alyssa said Heaven, along with other healthcare career students working at Illini at the time, clearly displayed their work ethic during the COVID pandemic.
“They were working nonstop,” Alyssa continued. “If it had not been for them, it would have been a huge challenge for our staffing situation.”
“Heaven worked multiple shifts, different shifts, and she would rearrange her schedule at the last minute to help when needed. She was like that as a CNA and LPN, and she’s already acting like that as an RN. I have no doubt she will be very successful because of her hard work and motivation.”
A natural-born caregiver, Heaven says she enjoys the culture at Illini.
“It’s a homey atmosphere,” she described. “We all work well together, know each other pretty well and can depend on each other. Everyone was great about helping me through school, working with my schedule.”
Heaven is not done with school yet. She plans to earn her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences beginning in August, and continue caring for Illini patients.
“I hope she stays with us,” Alyssa concluded. “Heaven has been very dedicated to us and it’s been fun to see her grow into an RN. I am very excited she wants to get her bachelor’s degree.”
For more information on employment opportunities at Illini and other Blessing Health facilities, go to blessinghealth.org/careers.
For more information on the educational programs of Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences, go to brcn.edu.