Best health care providers are thorough, caring

Each Tuesday, The Citizen features a health professional from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks: This week, we spotlight Shannon Harding, an assistant nurse mananger at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A. Just learning something new every day.

Q. What is the most challenging?

A. Probably having to discipline people and deal with strong personalities.

Q. Describe your ideal patient.

A. Someone who appreciates what you do for them and leaves the hospital happy.

Q. When you're sick, would you want someone like you to be your doctor?

A. Yes, because I'm thorough and caring.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you could give someone to stay healthy?

A. Wash your hands.

Q. What's the most common misconception you hear from patients?

A. Probably that health care professionals know everything, but we're often specialized.

Q. If you weren't in the health care field, what career or field would you do?

A. Mortuary science. It interests me.

Q. For someone considering a career like yours, what advice would you offer?

A. Get all of your education right away, because once you stop, it's hard to go back. Also, have tough skin.

Q. What's your ideal cure for the common cold?

A. Rest and fluids.

Q. In your opinion, which medical TV show is most realistic? Which is your favorite?

A. “ER” is the most realistic, but “House” is my favorite.

Q. Despite being in the health care field, people would probably be surprised that when I'm off the job, I _________.

A. Am still quite active for pushing 40.

Shannon Harding

Hometown: Sennett

Family: Husband, Jake; daughter, Emily; son, Nathan; stepchildren: Chris and Jim; stepgrandchildren: Gavin and Abigail

Occupation: Assistant nurse manager, OB, Auburn

Memorial Hospital

Hobbies: Softball, volleyball and skiing