How Working in the ED Led me to my Sweetheart

Valentine’s Day. It’s one of the most popular Hallmark holidays of the year. A day to celebrate love, celebrate life, or just celebrate wine and chocolate! Of course, we had to find out the love stories of our certified nurses. We asked if anyone had met their sweetheart while on the job … and got some wonderful stories!

Lindsay and her husband met in the ER in 2014. She was working as a nurse in her local hospital. He was (and still is) an active duty Air Force fire fighter and had a part time job as an EMT working with their local hospital ambulance service. Sparks flew immediately and they were married six months later. They have been married for almost six years now. She says he has been the biggest supporter as she moved forward in her career. His support encouraged her to attain two BCEN certifications over the past two years with plans to get a third this year! She says working in the ER has shaped her future and happily ever after with her husband. - Lindsay Wells, RN, CEN, TCRN

In 2008, Bethany met her husband before she joined the ER. He was a registrar and she was a unit secretary. She knew she wanted to work in the ER and eventually transferred. They married after dating for 4 years. Shortly after, she became an ER nurse. They've been married for seven years and are still going strong despite working in two different ERs. She says it helps to have someone who understands what the other is going through daily. - Bethany Beard, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN

She swore she'd never date a paramedic... and look what happened! After reporting to Jennifer's hospital multiple times, Doug sent a Facebook friend request that would change his life. She agreed to have dinner with him, and the rest is history! They married a year later and never looked back. Jennifer was diagnosed with viral encephalitis, forcing her to become the patient and reverse her everyday role as a nurse. After years of recovering and challenging their relationship, Jennifer says she is grateful for her husband and the bond that connects people in health care positions. - Jennifer Carey, RN, CEN, MICN

From educator to lifelong partner, Tracy and Nick have had quite the journey. What she thought would start as a fling blossomed into a beautiful partnership with the love of her life. Now, they live on a sailboat as travel nurses and educators. What a life! - Tracy Swetokos, RN, CEN

In 2008, Bethany met her husband before she joined the ER. He was a registrar and she was a unit secretary. She knew she wanted to work in the ER and eventually transferred. They married after dating for 4 years. Shortly after, she became an ER nurse. They've been married for seven years and are still going strong despite working in two different ERs. She says it helps to have someone who understands what the other is going through daily. - Bethany Beard, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN

Ambulance accident or a date with destiny? Lisa was in a horrible accident while transporting her patient in an ambulance in 1993. A stranger who lived nearby came to the scene to help. Luckily, he was a flight nurse and had no trouble staying calm under pressure. A few months later, Lisa met a guy and decided to go on a date. After chatting for a bit, the two realized they had met before. That stranger who helped during the ambulance accident would turn out to be her future husband, Scott. To this day, they believe it was fate for them to "crash" into each other. They have been married for 25 years and worked together for 20 serving the emergency medical community with the hopes of saving the lives of children through education. - Scott DeBoer, RN, CEN, CFRN, CPEN

Sadao and Grace met in the emergency room through a mutual friend. He says his wife has always made him feel extravagant and loved, introduced him to new experiences, and he can't get enough. He loves that they are able to have personal, as well as professional, conversations. Grace and Sadao thrive off one another and he says he is honored to be her husband. They've taken care of sick patients together, cleaned/changed patients together, and everything in between. They truly believe the ER can be a romantic place! - Sadao Nakachi, MBV, BSN, RN, CEN

When Kyle was working in Denver, he met Lynn while he was precepting her friend. His affection for her grew quickly, but he was told the two of them would "never work out" by her friend. Once she transferred into the ED, he decided to take a chance and ask her out. They were married a year later and continue to push each other in their careers. After moving to Arizona, Kyle became a flight nurse. With Lynn working in the same hospital's ED, they were quickly labeled "shipping and receiving." Their support for each other goes so far as to get certified together! In 1997, they drove together to take their respective pen and paper exams... CFRN for Kyle and CEN for Lynn. Kyle advises everyone to set their goals high and work hard... you never know what professional or personal success could come from it. - Kyle Madigan, MSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, CTRN, CCRN, CMTE