BETTY HARRINGTON, RN, BSN, M.Ed, a Montana native, graduated
from St. James School of Nursing in Butte prior to her arrival in Spokane in
1954, after serving her country in the US Army Nurse Corps. She joined the staff
at Sacred Heart Medical Center and over the next eight years earned her Bachelor's
of Science in Nursing and her Master's in Education from Gonzaga University.
Washington nursing organizations found an unselfish and dedicated
advocate of nursing in Betty and they quickly tapped into her visionary leadership.
She served on the WSNA and Inland Empire Nurses Association Board of Directors,
as chair of the Board of Nursing, as president of Hospital In-service Trainers,
a member of the American Society for Healthcare Education and Training, and
the National League for Nursing in the capacity of Survey Visitor for the Department
of Diploma Services.
Betty's role as a nurse educator began in 1956 when she joined
the staff of Sacred Heart School of Nursing as an instructor and clinical coordinator.
Three years later she became the Associate Director, and in 1961 the Director
of the School of Nursing. During that time Betty served as mom, dad, friend,
role model, and leader to the students. In 1972, Sister Peter Claver, the administrator
of Sacred Heart, recognized Betty's commitment to quality nursing education
and asked her to establish the Department of Educational Services at the Medical
Center, when the closure of the nursing school was announced.
A forecaster and initiator of change, Betty was instrumental
in the collaborative efforts between the district and state nurses association,
and Washington State University in the establishment of the Intercollegiate
Center for Nursing Education. Through storms of controversy and times of transition,
Betty carried the banner for baccalaureate preparation for nurses.
A founder and board member of the Community Health Education
Consortium, Betty was passionate about educating the public about health care
services, their availability, and access. In addition, she extended herself
by serving on the Pregnancy Care Center and Catholic Charities Board of Directors,
and chaired the Holy Names Academy School Board, and the Immaculate Heart Retreat
Center. She has served on the Providence Services board and has been co-director
for Providence Associates, St. Ignatius Province.
Betty Harrington epitomizes the true heart and caring of nursing
and the spirit of service to humankind. It is through her example that we are
better able to meet the challenges facing nursing and our society today.
