THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170206
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
But she's still waiting for a replacement.
{REST} A new head nurse for pediatrics is scheduled to come to work Aug. 1.
When Wetherbee came to Obici, the average hospital stay for a child was seven to 10 days.
Today, she said, hospital admissions are down, and a child seldom stays that long.
As a result, many hospitals have downsized their pediatrics department.
``It's different now,'' Wetherbee said. ``When a child gets sick, they get sick in a hurry, and they get well in a hurry.
``Years ago, we did a lot of baby-sitting,'' she said. ``Now it's not uncommon to have only a few kids on the floor.''
Another reason there are so few pediatric hospital admissions is because more mothers are educated these days about what to do with a sick child.
``We've educated ourselves out of jobs,'' Wetherbee said. ``Mothers know how to take care of their kids today. And that's good.''
Once she is finally retired, Wetherbee, 56, and her husband will do some traveling. In fact, the two just returned from visiting Alaska.
``When the opportunity arises, we'll go,'' she said.
Wetherbee said she still plans to help out at Obici, working as a night supervisor on pediatrics one or two evenings each month.
``I'll help out when I'm needed,'' she said. ``I'll still be around a little bit.''
Name: Ann M. Wetherbee.
Hometown: Carey, Ohio.
Birthdate: June 25, 1937.
Nickname: None.
Occupation: Clinical coordinator of pediatrics at Obici Hospital.
Marital status: Married to Joseph for 22 years.
Children: Joe Jr., 38; James, 36; Marty, 35; Jennifer, 33; Mike, 30; and Beth, 28.
Favorite movie: ``Sound of Music.''
Favorite magazine: ``Reader's Digest.''
A book you wish everyone would read, why? The Bible. It gives guidelines for everyday life.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner and a play.
Favorite bar or restaurant: The Max in downtown Portsmouth.
Favorite food and drink: Alaskan king crab.
Few people know . . . that I have six children.
What's the best thing about yourself? I'm a good listener, and I'm concerned for others.
Worst habit: Procrastination.
First thing in the morning: Coffee!
Pets: None.
Hobbies: Sewing and cross stitching.
Ideal vacation: Camping . . . away from the phone, etc.
Pet peeve: People who use the last of everything and don't replace or reorder.
First job: Working at a Dairy Queen when I first graduated from high school.
Worst job: Working as a labor and delivery nurse at a hospital on the Peninsula.
What achievements are you most proud of? Teaching an asthma program, and my pediatric certification. I am also very proud of my children.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``She didn't know how to say no.''
by CNB