More Than Medicine: How Smith County Memorial Hospital Nurses Care for a Community

In rural communities, healthcare is personal.

At Smith County Memorial Hospital, nurses are more than caregivers. They are neighbors, familiar faces, trusted voices, and often a steady source of comfort during life’s most important moments. During National Nurses Month, Smith County Memorial Hospital and Choose Smith County are celebrating the nurses who help shape not only patient care, but the strength and well-being of the entire community.

Why Rural Nursing Looks Different

For many nurses at SCMH, the work goes far beyond clinical care. It is about relationships, trust, and showing up for people through every stage of life.

“At SCMH, nursing is all about relationships,” Lakin Lyon, Chief Nursing Officer, shared. “In our rural community, nurses often care for people they know, neighbors, friends, and sometimes even family. This makes care more personal, more attentive, and more meaningful.”

As a Critical Access Hospital serving patients across 41 different zip codes, SCMH plays an important role in healthcare throughout north central Kansas. The hospital supports thousands of patient visits each month and continues to provide essential services close to home, including obstetrical care.

In 2025 alone, SCMH welcomed 78 babies, a reminder of how important access to rural healthcare remains for families in the region.

Unlike larger healthcare systems, where roles can become highly specialized, nurses at SCMH experience a wide range of care opportunities. On any given day, a nurse may assist in emergency care, support a labor and delivery patient, provide recovery care, or help guide families through difficult moments.

“Our nurses use a wide range of skills,” Lyon explained. “This variety helps them grow in confidence, adapt to new situations, and find real purpose in their work.”

Building Relationships That Last Generations

That variety also creates something increasingly rare in healthcare: continuity of care.

Nurses often care for multiple generations within the same family over the years, building deep connections with the people they serve.

“Our nurses might help deliver a baby, care for that child as they grow, and support the same family for years to come.”

Those relationships shape the patient experience in meaningful ways.

“At SCMH, quality care starts with being present. Our nurses take time to listen, explain, and support patients during some of life’s most important and vulnerable times.”

Patients are not simply names on a chart. They are individuals known personally by the staff caring for them. That familiarity creates trust, comfort, and reassurance during moments that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

The impact of nursing is often found in the small moments that never make headlines. A nurse sitting beside an anxious patient. Taking extra time to explain the next steps to a family member. Advocating for someone needing additional care. Packing a lunch or care bag for loved ones waiting as a patient is airlifted to another facility.

Explore Healthcare Careers in Smith County

Just as important as patient care is the culture within the hospital itself. SCMH places a strong emphasis on supporting and retaining its nursing team through collaboration, leadership support, professional development, and wellness initiatives.

SCMH is a team with a real sense of purpose, but they also genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Whether they're celebrating a big win, sharing a laugh, or just making the workday a little brighter, they believe that having fun together is part of what makes their team strong.

That culture is part of what makes Smith County an attractive place not only to receive care, but also to build a meaningful career and life. For nurses seeking connection, professional growth, and the opportunity to make a visible difference, rural healthcare offers unique rewards.

“Like many rural hospitals, we are always looking for nurses who value meaningful, relationship-based care,” Lyon said. “If you want to make a real difference and join a close-knit team, SCMH offers chances for professional growth and a strong sense of community.”

To explore current openings at SCMH and other opportunities across the area, visit the Choose Smith County Job Board.

To learn more about Smith County Memorial Hospital and life in Smith County, visit their website.