Meet Our Nurses

What makes nursing special at Reston Hospital Center?

Here's what two of the nurses have to say about why they belong here:

Sandi Burkard, R.N., Total Joint Coordinator, Surgical Unit

When Sandi Burkard, R.N., talks about her 34-year nursing career, the intangibles shine through.  Doing something for someone else.  Providing comfort.  Making a difference. 

Growing up as the eldest of eight, care giving was natural part of life.  For Sandi, the nursing instinct was ever-present.

Sandi started her career as a surgical staff nurse.  Over the years she has managed medical/surgical units, served as a nursing supervisor, and coordinated orthopedic services.  Sandi joined Reston Hospital Center in May 2003 as Total Joint Replacement Coordinator.  What has impressed her most about Reston Hospital Center is the supportive environment.

“A good number of people have been here for a long time,” Sandi says.  “Through years of working together you create a team.  That’s what you can see and feel here.”

At Reston Hospital, nursing is treated as a profession.  Employees show respect for one another.  Continuing education is stressed and “nurses are considered authorities on their patients,” Sandi says.

She believes those who are considering a nursing career should take careful inventory, and ask this question:  “What is important in your life?”

  Sandi gives this example: “I love having family and friends in my home, spending time with them, celebrating life's many events, large and small, and making sure that they feel special, comfortable, and are well fed.

“I believe that we should welcome and care for those we come in contact with here in much the same way,” states Sandi.  “You are an example to your patients.  Becoming a nurse is an opportunity in making a difference in how we treat one another.”

Ellen Scott, R.N., Director, Progressive Care Unit

            As a nurse, Ellen Scott, R.N., knew she wanted to take care of people. What she didn't know was that nursing would help her take care of herself and her family.

             Ellen started her career working as a nursing assistant at Circle Terrace Hospital, which would later move from Alexandria and become Reston Hospital Center. She graduated from Northern Virginia Community Hospital with a degree in nursing.

The day after graduation, she got married.  Over the next decade, Ellen was busy working, living on a farm and raising four children.

Then she became a single parent, and life changed.  For the next 13 years, she worked nights to be home with her children during the day.

 "I would drop my kids off at my parents' home by 9 p.m. and pick them up on my way home from work," Ellen remembers. "Nursing gave me the flexibility to do what I needed to do at that time my life."

The children are now ages 22, 21, 20 and 17.  Ellen remarried, and her nursing career flourished.

Today, Ellen is the nursing director for Reston Hospital Center's Progressive Care Unit.  She has served Reston Hospital as a staff nurse, clinical coordinator, oncology case manager, Clinician 4, and went on to become an Oncology Certified Nurse, all within just six years.

Ellen credits Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Glover with creating and maintaining a structure that supports nurses and their primary commitment to provide the highest quality of patient care.

"Reston Hospital Center provides an environment that encourages and promotes nursing education, research, collaboration and nurses as teachers," states Ellen.

"The atmosphere at Reston Hospital is so professional and friendly," she adds. "That's what a small community hospital is.

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