12/15/2010: Noteman, Laurali
Jim Jesus, April 4, 2007
Jim Jesus was born in Oakland, CA. He remained in California until he was 18 when he enlisted in the Air Force.
He served at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada as a Fire Fighter. Working on the rescue truck he pretty much knows the ins and outs of the military’s jets and helicopters safety features.
Jim met Debbie and life alone was over. The couple moved to Orem, Utah then relocated to Kanab to help family members. They have 6 children. Their youngest flew the coupe this year and I do believe Jim is suffering from the empty nest syndrom. He has helped fill that space by becoming a referee for baseball. "I enjoy my kids and sports," so Jesus refs baseball, girl’s softball and the Babe Ruth league which is ages 8 through 13. He did perk up when he talked about the kids and refereeing, "I like being around kids. I have met some great people from around the state."
Jesus mentioned he likes the desert and mountains of southern Utah, especially in the summer. As he gazed out the window of my office and shrugged into his jacket he added, "The snow . . . not so much."
He found his true calling while taking care of family members who were in the end stages of life. Under the encouragement of Jeff Frey RN, Jim enrolled in Kane County Hospital’s Certified Nurse Assistant’s program and joined Kane County Hospital in April, 2007. He is currently certified as a CNA, EMT and Hospice care giver. That surely makes a strong statement regarding his dedication and passion for helping others.
Known on the floor as Jimmy Pockets he says, "I love to have what my nurses need, when they need it." He feels its his job to make the nurses’ job easier.
Jesus closed with, "I like to work and found my career in health care." He continued with a not so subtle smirk, "Sometimes I barely keep myself afloat in the estrogen tide-pool," then added, "but I am lucky to find something I like. I appreciate KCH and having a good job."
I must say the male to female ratio in health care is pretty slanted. With more men entering the field annually perhaps that estrogen pool will level out. Kane County Hospital is awfully glad Jim is still floating, the staff and "his" nurses truly appreciate his professional efforts and dedication to his profession.
