SAFETY FIRST
From planes to patients, new director stresses safe work practices
Throughout his extensive work career, Jim Hawkins has made
|
|
|
Jim and Cheryl enjoy the “good company” of their parrots, Sweetie Pie and Wizard. He says the birds have learned four phrases and about a dozen words. |
education and safety his priorities. To name a few of his jobs, he flew attack helicopters for the Army. He taught aviation safety to 120 different National Guard and Reserve units in 12 states. And he currently works as a health supervisor for St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, coordinating everything from bed placements to organ donations.
Jim, the newest Capital Electric member to be elected to the board of directors this past June, says he plans to carry those priorities into his new board position: by continuing to educate members and focus on safety for both employees and consumers.
“Some things are just irreplaceable, and no amount of money or compensation will ever make up for a loss in some cases,” he says.
Born in North Carolina, Jim joined the Army at age 19. In his 20 years of service, he lived all over the world including Germany and Korea. After he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, Jim became a stock broker for a little more than a year.
“It was a lot of responsibility to take all the savings people had and be responsible for it. I spent many, many late nights staying up and making sure I had them in the right investments,” he says.
Even though he considered himself successful in the industry, Jim chose a different career. Always interested in the medical field, he enrolled in nursing school in New York, just following Sept. 11, 2001.
Once he graduated with a nursing degree, Jim considered his options. After reviewing several job offers, he picked up the phone and called a friend he had met at a blues concert on one of his many travels.
Cheryl, a Bismarck native, encouraged him to move to North Dakota.
“I always liked the culture here. Every time I visited, the people were friendly and it was just the right size. The benefits eventually outweighed the weather,” he says with a laugh.
Jim accepted a nursing job with St. Alexius, working with knee and hip replacement patients. He transferred to the intensive care unit as a registered nurse, and was later assigned to the “float” pool, covering six different areas.
“It’s interesting work and extremely satisfying; especially when people get well and walk out of the hospital. It’s the best reward I could possibly have,” he says.
In addition to his dedication to patients, Jim is also committed to the hospital. He serves as a member of the St. Alexius Nursing Cabinet, helping hospital officials address staffing issues and nursing practices, and assisting in formulating organizational and management policies.
While Jim appears to love his work, his heart belongs at home. A year and a half ago, Jim married his sweetheart, Cheryl, and they bought their dream home south of Bismarck. They are currently landscaping, making minor improvements and putting a personal touch on their newer home.
When they’re not working on the house, Cheryl manages Merle Norman Cosmetics and Jim helps patients, exercises on the treadmill, dabbles as a writer and travels back to North Carolina to visit his daughter, parents and sister. Jim and Cheryl also enjoy the company of their cat and two parrots, which they enjoy teaching new phrases.
Even though life keeps them both relatively busy, Jim says he looks forward to spending time learning about Capital Electric Cooperative and becoming a voice for the members.
“I encourage all of our members to take a look at their own relationships with Capital Electric. If they have any ideas for improvement or any other suggestions for the co-op, I encourage them to contact the representative in their district or anybody on the board and voice their ideas,” he says.