Sarah Schale

I attribute my success to my determination, adaptability, and the unwavering support of my family—qualities that were tested when I began nursing school during the COVID-19 pandemic while working in long-term care for the elderly. That experience taught me perseverance, flexibility, and the importance of compassion in every circumstance. I am especially proud of my work with autistic children, as my personal experience with my own son has given me a deeper understanding and empathy for these families. It is incredibly rewarding to serve as a resource and support system for them, helping them feel seen, heard, and understood.

The best career advice I have ever received came from my coworkers, Alissa Lesser and Virginia Soukup. Both are registered dietitians who played a crucial role in helping me understand ADHD and how to better support individuals living with it. Their unwavering support has been invaluable throughout my professional journey. I have also been fortunate to have the encouragement and friendship of Kim Berry, who has always reminded me to keep learning and to never give up. Her support, along with her sense of humor, makes coming to work enjoyable and rewarding.

My advice to young women entering the nursing field is to start with a technical school and build your foundation from there. Don’t feel pressured to jump straight into a four-year program—beginning with your LPN and then progressing to your RN allows you to gain hands-on experience, develop confidence, and grow steadily in your career.

The biggest challenge I see in the nursing field today is the shortage of nursing educators. While there are many skilled and compassionate nurses ready to serve, the lack of qualified teachers limits our ability to train the next generation. Addressing this shortage is vital to ensuring that our communities continue to receive the quality care they deserve.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are compassion, advocacy, and family. I am deeply passionate about creating safe and welcoming spaces for women to breastfeed and about helping men understand how to better support their wives and partners through that journey. My work in maternal and child health has strengthened my belief that small acts of kindness and understanding can have lasting impacts on families and communities. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, music, and spending time outdoors. I taught myself to play the piano, and my 17-year-old son is now teaching himself as well—a shared joy that reminds me of the importance of learning at every stage of life. My husband and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this year, and together we have been blessed with three wonderful sons. Our oldest, age 22, lives in Fargo, North Dakota, and plans to attend Bible college. Our middle son, 17, is active in track and vocal competitions and was the only student in our county ever selected to represent Honor Choir USA in Hawaii. Our youngest is 15 and has autism, severe ADHD, and anxiety. His daily challenges have taught our family patience, perseverance, and unconditional love. In my free time, I love camping in our camper, fishing, and enjoying the quiet peace of the outdoors. I am also on a personal journey to improve my health through weight loss—a challenge made easier by the constant encouragement of my family and coworkers, who are my biggest cheerleaders. Each of these experiences shapes who I am as a nurse, a wife, a mother, and a lifelong learner.