Lamea Hamid MSN, RN, a Medical/Surgical Nurse on the 8th Floor Pavilion, came to the United States in 2005. She was a schoolteacher in her native country, Turkey. When she came to the U.S., she worked at a dry cleaner until a regular customer encouraged her to apply for a job at North Kansas City Hospital.
"There are certain people designed to care for others," Nursing Director Krisha Klug, MSN, RN, said of Lamea. "She has that innate compassion which drives her to make things better for everyone."
Dedicated to Development
Lamea began at NKCH in the Admitting Department and moved to the Food and Nutrition Department before entering the hospital’s Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Academy. She completed her training in 2010 and landed on 8 HSP, where she discovered her passion for nursing.
"I’ve been on this floor since 2010," Lamea said. "I started working on the night shift. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go, but I love it here."
After a year as a CNA, she decided to pursue a nursing career. She got her General Education Development (GED) diploma and enrolled in a community college. She completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing while working at NKCH. Two years later, she was at a crossroads.
"My son was three months old when my husband asked why I wasn’t going to graduate school," Lamea said. "I applied for my master’s degree and finished with my family nurse practitioner certification in two years. I worked full-time, went to school full-time and had four kids at home."
A Natural Leader
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Lamea is a practicing Muslim. She wears a hijab and knows the negativity it inspires in some patients. She sees those interactions as an opportunity to educate and embraces the challenge.
"She has to overcome a trust barrier with some patients," Klug said. "She says, 'I'll win them over in the end,' and she loves them through that. She has that innate culture of caring."
Lamea has become a leader at NKCH. She enjoys meeting new team members with diverse backgrounds and works to help them feel at home.
"She embraces our younger Muslim staff," Krisha said. "She tells them, 'We are all different and have different backgrounds, but that won’t be a barrier here. You will be loved.' It makes me proud to hear her say 'You’re safe here.'"
Loyalty Matters
The COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on her plans, but Lamea will finally take her nurse practitioner boards this summer. She has worked at NKCH for 15 years and doesn’t plan to leave.
"I love NKCH," Lamea said proudly. "I owe NKCH for where I am. My home family and my work family helped me get here. I couldn’t turn my back and say goodbye for anything."
