2008 Most Influential Women Honoree: Jan Harper

“I really can’t tell you that. From the time I was little I thought I should be a nurse. … That’s all I wanted to be,” says Harper, a?registered nurse at Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson, where she also directs several departments, including cardiac diagnostics and outpatient diabetic education and medical nutritional counseling.

Harper, who has a cardiac nursing background, even took two years of Latin in high school because she thought it would help her with medical terms in nursing school.

Harper’s natural leadership was on display early even as a young child, leading her father to jokingly introduce her as the boss of the family.

“I’ve just always been very assertive. … As a young kid, I was living under the assumption that was my role,” Harper says with a laugh.

That ability to take charge served Harper well when her husband suffered a massive stroke in 1987 and spent five months in neurointensive care followed by three years in outpatient rehab. The couple’s daughters were 14 and 11 at the time, and Harper, who worked part time, was forced back into full-time employment.

“Together, we had to form bonds to help us deal with the residual damage and a father who was different from the one we knew,” Harper says. “The girls tell me that watching me taught them compassion, loyalty, acceptance and a true sense of caring for others.”

Harper credits her own mother for teaching a strong work ethic during tough times. Harper’s father was in ill health while she was growing up, and she watched her mother take care of him.

“I honestly think seeing her perseverance was an unbelievable teacher for me,” Harper says.

Experiencing a major health crisis in her own family added another dimension to the job she already loved and for which her passion hasn‘t diminished in 40 years. Harper gained insight into the importance of stress management – her husband’s stroke was likely the result of genetics, but he was a type-A personality. And it also taught her even more compassion for patients, their families and her employees.

“When you focus on somebody else’s issues, you forget about your own. It was a healing process,” Harper says. “When you focus on someone else, you do not have time to remain on the pity pot.”

Seeing a patient come through a traumatic health event and realize that life can go on is rewarding,

“When you see that occurring for these people, you can’t help but be passionate,” she adds.

Name an influential woman, living or dead, you’d like to meet. Why?

Maya Angelou inspires me a lot with her writing. (She handled) multiple obstacles, including race and being a woman. One of my favorite quotes of hers is, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”

As a young girl, what were your career aspirations?

I never wanted to be anything other than a nurse.

What advice do you have for young women just getting started professionally?

Move toward a career that you love and have passion for, even if it takes some time doing other things to get there. Then you will never dread going to work. … Take every opportunity to continue your education and do not stop growing. Challenge and growth keep you productive for the long haul. Never jeopardize your values. Give back more than you take.

What celebrity have others compared you to, or do you identify with?

(My own comparison is) to Erma Bombeck. Her descriptions of raising kids, their pets, and life in general always seemed to match my own. Having a sense of humor is a God-given gift and has pulled me through on multiple occasions.

Tell us about your family.

I married my high-school sweetheart, Forrest. Today ... he thrives on our grandkids. Our oldest daughter, Heather, is a pediatric and surgical nurse, wife and mom to our 2-year-old granddaughter and stepmom of a 5-year-old boy. Our daughter Holly … works for Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Web Exclusive: Jan’s favorite musician is enjoying a career comeback. Who is it?

Answer: Santana, about whom she says “I loved his music the first time around.”[[In-content Ad]]