Nurse found her calling in women's services

Angelle Kolle, R.N., isn’t one that found her path to nursing at an early age. Instead she got into nursing when her children were adults. But she hasn’t slowed down since and her peers have noticed.

The Eagle Mountain Lake resident has been named to the annual list of the Metroplex’s Great 100 Nurses, which is sponsored by the Texas Nurses Association and the North Texas Organization of Nurse Executives. The awards honor registered nurses in the D/FW area who exemplify excellence in the art and science of nursing.  Nurses are nominated by their peers, and may only be named to the list once in their career.

Kolle recalls what drew her into nursing.

“What gets me excited is learning about my patients and helping them whether they are a pregnant mom or a woman who has been recently diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “Being able to be a comfort and a source of strength for my patients is what gets me to work with a smile each day.”

Kolle currently is women’s services nurse at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford. Her coworkers and hospital leaders agree that Kolle has found her calling.

“The Great 100 Nurses are the best of the best,” said Deborah Paganelli, FACHE, hospital president. “Our nurses set a high standard for each other, an example of excellence that is made up of hard work and dedication for every patient, every day. I am proud that their work was recognized among the best in our region.”

Kolle’s contributions to the Women’s Services area at Texas Health HEB have been numerous. In recent years, Kolle has championed a program called “Mommies in Waiting,” which brings together moms-to-be who are in the hospital on bed rest for crafts and other activities to help pass the time. The program helps to ease what is a difficult, and often scary, time for families. She also is dedicated to helping women with gestational diabetes and has created educational programs for Texas Health HEB employees on the topic.

“Her precise clinical skills combined with a ‘heart’ for caring for those in need, truly exemplifies the art and science of nursing,” one nominator wrote. “When patients and peers think of her, they see an excellent nurse, good friend, an encourager, and a valuable colleague to have at their side.”