By Chelsea (Masterson) Nab, great granddaughter*
* Relation to Andy and/or Flora Lehr
I am Chelsea (Masterson) Nab. Daughter of James Masterson and Margaret “Maggie” Eaton-Gurley, granddaughter of James and Mary Eaton. I was born and raised in Oklahoma and currently reside in Overland Park, Kansas with my husband of ten years, Tony, and our 6-year-old, Asher.
As many of you know, our family has a long and proud tradition in nursing, stretching back to our grandparents and beyond. Growing up surrounded by stories of compassion, resilience, and service, I always admired the nurses in our family. But when it came time to choose my own path, I wanted to understand what truly drew me to this profession—and what would make my contribution unique. After spending many years in the medical field as surgical technician I decided to attend nursing school followed by nurse practitioner school.
Finding My Motivation
My initial motivation was simple: I wanted to help sick and injured people feel better and improve their lives. Early in my nursing career, I worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where I cared for patients in their most vulnerable moments. It was both challenging and rewarding. After a few years of caring for people with significant illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, strokes, brain injuries, and kidney failure, I began to shift my focus. Much of what I was treating was preventable and I decided to turn my efforts to health and wellness.
I wanted to help people look and feel their best before illness or disease ever took hold. That’s when I became passionate about preventative care—empowering patients to take charge of their health and avoid the ICU altogether. I now have my very own health and wellness clinic, focusing on weight loss, peptides, hormone therapy, and aesthetics. I both assist and challenge clients to make lifestyle changes that will lead to healthier and more desirable outcomes, both preventing and reversing illness and disease.
I also work part time with veterans performing Compensation and Pension exams and writing Independent Medical Opinions to assist them in their disability claims. I find it very rewarding to work with and assist those who have served our country and honor our long family history of military service men and women.
My Educational Journey
My journey in nursing has been both challenging and deeply fulfilling. I started with an associate’s degree, then earned my bachelor’s, and finally completed my master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner. Along the way, I pursued special certifications and training in aesthetics, weight loss, and hormone therapy—fields that allow me to support patients’ overall well-being, not just treat their symptoms.
Lessons from the Pandemic
In November 2019, I made a significant change and left the ICU for an outpatient surgery center, focusing on elective procedures such as cataract surgery, endoscopies, and orthopedic interventions. Little did I know that just a few months later, the world would change with the onset of COVID-19.
The pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare. In our surgery center, elective procedures were postponed, we continued to perform only the most necessary procedures, and new protocols became the norm. While the operating room itself remained a sterile environment, we adapted to wearing masks everywhere—hallways, offices, and beyond. There was fear at times with ordering and obtaining basic essentials such as masks and gloves with the massive shortages. It seemed like policies and procedures were changing daily as we learned more and more about the new disease and best practices to prevent the spread. It was a reminder of how quickly our world can change, and how important it is for healthcare professionals to be adaptable and resilient.
Unforgettable Experiences
Over the years, I’ve had countless memorable experiences, but one day in the ICU stands out. That day, I cared for a 60-year-old patient with a severe COPD exacerbation. After recovering, he returned home—only to continue smoking. Later that same day, I cared for a 70-year-old patient who had lived a healthy, active life with no major health issues. Tragically, she died from community acquired pneumonia. These experiences reinforced the importance of prevention and education. They remind me that while we can’t control everything, we can make choices that profoundly impact our health and longevity.
On a regular basis I find it very rewarding when clients share their progress with me. Whether it be reaching their weight loss goals, improving their sleep and energy levels, or even feeling more confident with their aesthetic treatments. Small strides make big impacts and I’m proud to help people look and feel their best.
Honoring Our Family Legacy
Choosing nursing, and specifically becoming a nurse practitioner, has allowed me to honor our family’s legacy while forging my own path. I’m grateful for the foundation laid by those who came before me, and I’m proud to carry their spirit of caring and service into a new era of healthcare.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and inspiration. I hope to continue making our family proud and, most importantly, to help others live healthier, happier lives.
By Celia (Lewis) Janousek, granddaughter*
*Relation to Andy and/or Flora Lehr
I really don’t have any big revelation as to why I went into nursing other than it was the only occupation that made money out in the middle of nowhere. I never grew up wanting to be a nurse after watching mom when she worked in Colorado. I witnessed her coming home exhausted and stressed. She was working all shifts and I heard the horror stories of the ER.
Actually a nurse was last on my list of possible professions.
I had a Business Administration Degree and worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office when I met my husband Joe. We moved to York and then eventually transferred to ONeill for Joes job. I opened my own business so I could be with my kids. When my youngest was starting school is when I finished my nursing degree.
I became a nurse at the age of 40. I went to school while running my bridal shop and raising 3 kids. It was not an easy path but with Joe’s support I made it.
I then worked at Valley Hope Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center as a detox nurse. Absolutely loved my 15 years there and left when the nurses were expected to do insurance and financial negotiations with patients and family. I truly missed the nursing work it was very rewarding to watch the transformation of my patients from addict to recovery. At the same time I worked at Valley Hope I also worked in Surgery at Avera St Anthony’s Hospital for 5 years. Loved the work but the on call hours were cutting into my time with my family. For the last five years of my career I worked in 3 different nursing homes. Loved my old people and being a part of the nursing team. Walking the elderly and their families through the most difficult years of life was the most emotional and rewarding part of my career. Being a guide through the end of life process was an honor.
Working through COVID was stressful. The fear that it caused in the residents, families and staff was horrible. Many staff quit. Families were angry with nurses because of the restrictions. I spent part of my shifts helping residents have family visits through the windows on their phones. I sent pictures and videos to family members to reassure them that their family member was being cared for and in good spirits. The isolation and depression some of the residents experienced when they had to stay in their rooms was heartbreaking. I gave my personal phone number to my patients families because our phone lines in the facilities were bogged down. I received calls and texts at all hours of families checking on their loved ones. I understood their concern because my mom was also in the facility. I was in a unique position that I could have access to my family member where others could not.
Many residents with dementia did not understand Covid and did not understand isolation. They were agitated by staff wearing masks and some became withdrawn with lack of socialization. They would try to exit the building because they thought their family members were waiting outside the window for them. It was a constant process of trying to explain an illness that was foreign to them.
The process of constantly testing an entire building of patients, took time away from other nursing tasks. A major stress was that policies and protocols for Covid were changing daily and the Doctors were very frustrated with not being able to treat due to restrictions of certain medications. We dealt more with patients becoming ill due to the side effects of the vaccine than those with Covid symptoms which were mostly mild.
Many of the dietary and housekeeping staff quit. They stated that they did not get paid enough to deal with the risks of Covid. The tasks of housekeeping and dietary became one of those “other duties” that fell on nurses.
I made it through Covid and when things calmed and staff was replenished, I decided, (actually my feet and knees decided) to retire. I miss my patients and colleagues but I am enjoying, sewing, beading, candle making and taking art classes online.