When she was only 17 years old, LuAnn Greene made a promise to God if He saved her brother, she would serve Him for the rest of her life. Greene's brother nearly lost his life when a 6-ton tractor flipped on top of him on a farm in Rockford, IL. A nurse saw the accident and rendered aid immediately. While it took six men to lift the tractor off her brother, Greene was more impressed with the nurse's work.

"Gasoline spilled all over his clothes, and she knew to cut his clothes off," said Greene, who is an RN and wellness coordinator for St. Francis Village in Crowley, TX. "When my parents got to the hospital, the doctor said he had a 50/50 chance of living. I felt so comforted knowing the nurse was with him."

Something About St. Francis

Greene's brother did survive and she kept her promise to serve God. She graduated from Rockford Memorial School of Nursing in Illinois and started her nursing career as a psychiatric nurse in the ICU at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL.

Today, she is still serving God, as well as St. Francis.

"There's something about me and St. Francis," Greene smiled. "He has been in my life my entire life. Well at least since 1976."

That's when Greene started working at the 1,000-bed hospital built in 1877 that she said resembled a castle on a cliff that overlooks the Illinois River. Greene admits humorously she doesn't know if she's following St. Francis or if he's following her. One thing she does know is she has been led for 32 years and has gained a career full of blessings.

Wearing Many Caps

Throughout her career, Greene worked as a staff nurse, home care/hospice nurse, nurse manager, director of nursing, adult unit program administrator and CPR instructor in California, Illinois and Texas. She was also an occupational nurse at the Bureau of the Mint in Fort Worth where she taught Red Cross first aid to employees.

Prior to serving St. Francis Village in January of this year as the center's wellness coordinator, Greene was contracted in 2003 by the Visiting Nurses Association to serve as an RN for St. Francis Village. However, Green's first visit to the Village was 16 years ago when she started as a home care nurse. Greene also provides community education and coordinates various support groups, such as the diabetic and caregiver groups.

"Our 'life after loss' group started about 14 years ago," Greene said. "One of our residents who is now 94 years old is the leader. The group experiences have been very positive."

Although the Village is an active and yet very peaceful community, Greene said the challenges of working with the elderly are oftentimes heart-breaking.

"While St. Francis is an independent living facility, it is difficult when a resident needs to transition to assisted or full-time care," Greene said. "I get to know the spouse and/or adult children to establish an emergency contact. We walk through the process together. I really care about these people. The hardest part is when someone dies. They have so much to offer so it's hard when they are gone."

Double Blessing

"I'm a retirement center RN; however, I am also a faith community nurse," Greene said. "I pray for my patients. This position is truly a double blessing."

What are her greatest joys in working with such a diverse population?

"Just getting to know all of the residents because they are so kind and so thankful," Greene said. "They have so much to offer. I always tell my patients they can visit me when they are feeling well too. I love talking with them and want them to be as healthy as possible."

Amy McGuire is regional editor at ADVANCE.