Spotlight Nurse builds garden for behavioral health patients

Carley Parsons, RN

Published: Sept. 30, 2013

All it took were a few seeds and a little elbow grease to help provide a new therapeutic treatment to Sparrow Behavioral Health Patients.

Behavioral Health Nurse Carley Parsons helped to spearhead a garden project to give Patients a sense of commitment, hard work, and fulfillment. Because of the garden and her commitment to caring for Patients, Sparrow is recognizing Parsons as this month's RN Caregiver Spotlight.

Sparrow's RN Caregiver Spotlight recognizes one Nurse each month and honors his/her accomplishments in nursing excellence.

"It's very humbling to be honored by your peers," Parsons said. "But this was a team effort. I don't look at this as going above and beyond. Just like all of our Nurses, I look at it as a way to treat our Patients and make their stay with us as pleasant as possible."

Parsons worked with Patients to plan and design the garden of flowers, fruits, and vegetables outside of Sparrow's St. Lawrence Campus. Patients maintain the garden and helped to expand it over the past several months.

"They've really responded to the garden and the work it takes to see it through," Parsons added. "It makes them accountable and gives them something to look forward to each day while they're here."

"Carley is always looking for new ways to improve the Patient experience," said Kathleen Frybarger, Clinical Director of Behavioral Health. "She is always willing to take on new projects or develop new treatment methods to ensure Patients' needs always come first."

Parsons also received the DAISY Award for her work earlier this year. The award is given to Sparrow Nurses who exemplify compassion and skill toward Patients, their families, and Caregivers.