A Lifetime of Learning: Paula McGehee Earns National Nursing Conference Scholarship

For 37 years, Paula has been a dedicated member of the Central Carolina Hospital family, including 34 years serving Women's Services. She began her career at CCH in surgical services in 1989 before moving to Labor and Delivery in 1992, and she describes Central Carolina Hospital as home. Today, she continues to make a lasting impact by supporting the Director of Women's Services with staff education, scheduling, and clinical development. Her unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and improving patient care exemplifies the very best of nursing.

Paula’s connection to CCH runs deep. She grew up in Harnett County and has worked alongside several family members over the years. Today, that connection continues with her daughter, who also works in Labor and Delivery on the opposite shift.

While reviewing the AWHONN website for professional development opportunities for nurses on her team, Paula discovered the scholarship opportunity. After writing a letter as part of the application process, she was selected as one of only 32 scholarship recipients. She described the conference as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and said she hopes to attend again next year.

During the conference, Paula participated in three days of exceptional education, evidence-based practice, and collaboration with nurses from across the country. The session that resonated with her most focused on Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) and was presented by a husband-and-wife team—an Emergency Department nurse and a Labor & Delivery nurse—who shared how trauma mass transfusion principles can be successfully adapted to improve postpartum hemorrhage response. The presentation reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, early recognition, and standardized processes to improve maternal outcomes.

Paula also explored the latest innovations in maternal and newborn care through more than 1,200 exhibitor displays. Among the many advancements she experienced, she identified Couplet Care Cribs, the Billie phototherapy system, and Stryker maternity beds as technologies with the potential to further enhance the care and experience we provide to mothers, newborns, and families at Central Carolina Hospital. She also brought back practical information from a newborn skin care seminar that has since supported the team’s implementation of Vashi, along with bereavement resources to help with the development of CCH’s new bereavement room.

Paula's commitment to bringing new knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices back to our organization reflects what Heart of Care is all about. Her passion for learning ensures that our Women's Services team continues to grow, innovate, and provide exceptional, evidence-based care to the families we serve.

Congratulations, Paula! Thank you for your remarkable dedication to our patients, your colleagues, and to advancing nursing excellence at Central Carolina Hospital.