Life in Michigan has been a challenge, namely for me to find a job that fits into the plan I have for being available for and a part of our family. My last job, although I miss it and the people I worked with terribly, was extremely stressful and, near the end, I'm afraid I just gave up on.

The people I worked with in Utah County were, by far, some of the most conscientious, understanding and professional individuals I have ever had the pleasure to know.

The Deputies, although there were several I managed to butt heads with on a regular basis, were the finest. When I would attend conferences, I would listen to medical staff from other correctional facilities across the nation talk about the literal war-like conditions under which they were forced to do their jobs. I would sit and just shake my head, thanking God that I worked with the caliber of certified staff I did. If I spoke up, most of the people involved in the conversation would just laugh and say "Yeah, right!"

The medical staff were the best, from the Office Specialists, doctors, dentist and assistant, mental health specialists, to the deputies and nurses. When I first began working for Utah County, there were a grand total 5.5 LPN's and then, me, the lone RN. Amazingly enough, the 5.5 LPN's had managed to provide 24/7 nursing coverage to 200+ inmates in an old nursing home that had been converted to a jail. They just made things happen. About 6-8 weeks after my arrival, we moved into a brand new real jail. The same 5.5 LPN"s and I had to make it happen between 2 facilities for a short while, but even with the minimal staffing level we had to work with, it all went off without any problems. We made adjustments and adapted to our new surroundings. We had what I would call, minimal turnover for the next 5-6 years. If the people we hired, chose to leave a short time later, we had to accept that they never really became a part of our 'family.'

About 3 years ago, one of the part-time RN's we'd hired, and I put our heads together, along with a lot of support from our Administrative Lieutenant, and came up with a plan. Our jail had opened with a capacity of 350. Adjustments had been made and additional beds added here and there and the average daily headcount was quickly pushing 600. Unfortunately, the nursing staff was still limited to 5.5 LPN's and 2 half-time RN's.

We did a lot of research into out situation and decided to present not only our predicament of being severely understaffed, as well as under-licensed, but to also present a logical solution, using the Utah State Nurse Practice Act and Rules to back our argument. Pulling it all together took several weeks, but when I sat down to compose the official proposal, I felt we had no other option other than to succeed in our battle for increased staff and licensure.

Our Sheriff was the first to receive the proposal. Without any hesitation, he added his approval and forwarded it to the Commissioners. Within a week, two of the Commissioners, the Personnel Director and her assistant, the Sheriff, Captain, Lieutenant, other nurse and I were sitting around a conference table discussing our options. As we finished our meeting, it was decided that a task force would be formed, comprised of individuals throughout the system, and the situation thoroughly investigated. At this point, I'd have been happy to have received approval for 1-3 new RN positions.

When all was said and done, we were approved for 5.5 RN positions, bringing our total staffing plan to a total of 13 nurses, RN's and LPN's. It took about a year to fill all the positions, as we took our time and focused on hiring excellent candidates, not just a warm body with a pulse and a license. When I left Utah County, we had just filled the last position and the focus had been turned to finding the right person to fill a middle management position, in an attempt to lessen the load on the person who would be taking over my position.

My tenure with Utah County holds a special place in my heart and memory book. The experiences I endured while there can go on one of two lists, good memories and bad memories. One of the worst things on the "bad" list would have to be the names of the inmates who chose to take their own lives while incarcerated. Some of them saw themselves as failures and unable to change. Others were determined to ultimately cause pain to the friends and families who loved them. And still others, who never meant to end their live, but were desperate to set themselves apart, went through the motions, only to wake up on the other side, when their calculations of help arriving in time were found to be wrong.

The worst of the bad list had to be the untimely death of a Deputy, by the name of Shaun Adamson. While he would have given his life to save the life of another, he didn't die in the line of duty. Due to a medical condition, that most likely was acquired while busting and tearing down clandestine methamphetamine producing labs. On 17 March 2002, he suffered a seizure and fall, resulting in his most untimely death. Shaun was every one's "best friend," as was so eloquently pointed out at his funeral. I figured God must have been having a really bad day to have taken him from us that day. This world will never be the same.

As for the good list, it could go on forever. At the top of the list I'd have to out the camaraderie of all of the staff, from the Sheriff on down. Sheriff Jim Tracy is one of the most approachable and helpful individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working for. His honesty and integrity will take the Utah County Sheriff's Office a long way, as long as he is in office.

I miss working with the individuals in the the Utah County Sheriff's Office, but life goes on. I am in the place I have wanted to be, but never though I would ever achieve. Walking out the doors to the Utah County Security Center for the last time, was not easy for me. I didn't get to say goodbye to many of the fine individuals and friends I'd made over the last nine years. I hope they know that they are all very important to me and that I would do anything, anytime, if they ever had a need.