Becoming a nurse is usually a calling someone feels. To give of yourself to help others is no small task. Case in point, the millions of healthcare professionals who were on the frontlines battling the pandemic in recent years.

For some, the desire to work in healthcare starts at a young age. For others, it might feel like divine intervention; this was the case for Haines, of Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.

“I was working at the hospital in security when there was a really bad car accident with multiple sick patients coming into our ED,” said Haines of the hospital’s emergency department.

“Watching the team work diligently to resuscitate those patients until the flight crews got there and then work hand in hand with the flight team lit a passion inside of me that continues to push me to do better for our community,” Haines added. “I went home that night with the goal of becoming a flight nurse.”

Submitted photo
Alex Haines, of Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, was honored by the Emergency Nurses Association 20 Under 40 recognition program.

Fast forward seven years and Haines has checked that box. Then, he decided to take it a step further when a new opportunity arose to help build a rural Level IV trauma center in the community where his family lives and he grew up.

Haines, BSN, RN, PHRN, CEN, was recently promoted to be the nursing operations manager for the emergency department. He was also recognized by the Emergency Nurses Association 20 Under 40 recognition program.

Since 1989, Emergency Nurses Association has designated the second Wednesday in October as Emergency Nurses Day. In 2001, Emergency Nurses Association expanded the celebration to a full week to shine a bigger light on emergency nurses.

Each year, the association celebrates and honors the incredible work of emergency nurses around the world. This year, Emergency Nurses Week is celebrated this week and Emergency Nurses Day is Wednesday.

“We’re really blessed to have Alex on our team,” said Stacey Osborne, vice president and chief nursing officer at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital. “Alex has a heart and passion for caring for our patients and advocating for our community in many ways. If you don’t see him here in the hallways of our hospital, you’ll see him volunteering on behalf of Geisinger all throughout our community.”

In addition to Haines’ new managerial role, he’s also involved in professional development organizations, a flight nurse and a passionate advocate for the Juniata Valley community.

Working as a security officer and witnessing that traumatic accident, Haines was amazed by the swift and coordinated action of the medical team and decided to pursue a career in nursing. Upon graduating from the Geisinger School of Nursing, he worked his way up to becoming a flight nurse, his ultimate goal.

“I’m thankful for my mentor, Bonnie Bowsman, for supporting me and helping me achieve my dream,” he explained.

The number of male nurses has multiplied by 10 times in the past 40 years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2022, more than 12 percent of registered nurses in the United States are men. This shift in gender distribution is significant in a field that has been historically dominated by women.

Haines is also involved in various community outreach and injury prevention initiatives, such as providing Stop The Bleed courses, car seat safety checks and distracted driving education. He also works with local and state agencies, schools and the Amish community to raise awareness and provide resources.

Haines is an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association and currently serves as the president of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter. He has revitalized the chapter and increased its membership and engagement. He also participates in several committees and organizations to advocate for rural emergency departments and emergency nursing.

“The amount of people who come up to us and express their gratitude helps us refocus on why we chose this profession,” Haines said.

A career in nursing not only provides an opportunity for nurses to help others and offers flexibility that few other careers can match, with a variety of work settings, schedules, and specialties to choose from.

Job stability is another factor that makes nursing a great choice for men. Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, and with an aging population, the demand for healthcare professionals will only increase.

“I’m really thankful for my team and mentors who inspire me to be a mentor to others,” Haines said. “As I look for new opportunities to learn and improve, I’m not afraid to face challenges and embrace change.”

After Haines became a medical helicopter nurse, he was named the director of the trauma program until he officially became the nursing operations manager of the emergency department.