May 10, 2019

What it's Like to be an EveryStep Nurse: Stephanie Birt

Stephanie Birt knew she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was a little girl.She even has written proof, the EveryStep Community Home Visitation nurse recalls.

"Looking back on a book I had in elementary school where every year I put what I wanted to be when I grow up," she says. "Starting in second grade I had put I wanted to be a nurse that took care of moms and babies."

And that's just what she's done, working as a maternal child health nurse for Dallas County Public Health for 16 years before joining EveryStep in the fall of 2018.

"So I guess you could say this is what I was meant to do," she says.

As a nurse with EveryStep’s Community Home Visitation (CHV) program, Birt visits pregnant and new mothers in the Polk County area. The program, which also serves Dallas, Clinton and Jackson counties, is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, children and families.

During visits, Birt provides mothers with education and wellness screenings as it relates to their needs.

"I believe everyone has questions when they become a new parent," Birt says. "Postpartum depression, breast-feeding questions, parenting fears, and so many other things are not prejudiced. Everyone from all races and socioeconomic backgrounds can experience any of these."

Through her position, Birt notes she enjoys being able to serve a wide variety of clients.

"I love working with the CHV program because I am not restricted to any certain population," she says. "I can serve all people, which is what I feel I am called to do."

Birt has already made lasting connections with her clients, and hopes others in the community find the importance in EveryStep’s CHV program.

"We may not know the difference that we make on a particular day, but the education, care and compassion that we give to these families can leave a life long lasting impact that we may never know," she says.

And those clients have left their mark on Birt, too.

"The families I serve touch my heart in so many different ways and have truly become a part of who I am," she says. "Being a nurse has been such a rewarding profession," she says. "If I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing."

 Want to make a difference in people’s lives and work for a mission-focused organization? Please visit our careers page.