Stacey Purintun had a passion for nursing…. even before she was a nurse.

The love for her profession has led her to - once again - being recognized as one of the best in her field.

Purintun was one of 18 winners announced last Thursday at the 2024 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards at the Riverwind Casino Showplace Theatre in Norman.

She was named the winner in the Charge Nurse category.

“To be the recipient was a huge surprise and honor,” said Purintun, who is currently a charge nurse at Integris Health Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon.

She lives in Kingfisher with her husband of 26 years, Stuart Purintun, who is the facilities and athletics director at Kingfisher Public Schools.

“I absolutely love what I do and I love leading my shifts at the bedside in the ER,” Purintun continued.

“To be recognized for my work and compassion is such an honor.”

This is the 15th year for the March of Dimes to hold its awards banquet for nurses.

March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the health of moms and babies by providing research, education, programs and services for families.

It was founded in 1938 and has built a successful legacy to support every pregnant person and her family.

The Oklahoma awards event is designed to recognize nurses whose strength, courage and perseverance make medical advances possible.

“The Nurse of the Year Awards event honors the dedication and commitment of the Oklahoma nursing community, celebrates nursing excellence and recognizes leaders in nursing from across Oklahoma,” according to the March of Dimes.

This isn’t the first time for Purintun to be honored.

In 2018, she was named the Nurse of the Year in the Emergency Room category. She was also nominated for that honor in 2013 and the Charge Nurse honor in 2020.

This year there were 955 nominations for March of Dimes honors. That list was narrowed to 91 finalists.

At a young age while growing up in Weatherford, Purintun knew where her career path would lead her.

“I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I remember telling my dad when I was 7 years old that I was going to be an ER nurse one day.”

She followed through. Purintun graduated Weatherford High School in 1996, then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in May 2000.

She immediately went to work as an ER nurse.

Purintun was at Integris Health Enid Hospital from May 2000 until June 2015 when she transferred to Yukon.

On top of the BSN, Purintun has earned certifications as a registered nurse (RN) and certified emergency nurse (CEN).

She and Stuart have been married for 26 years.

Their oldest daughter, Sydney, is a senior at SWOSU majoring in exercise science with a minor in athletic training.

Their youngest, Kamryn, is currently a senior at Kingfisher High School.

“It’s not an easy job but I love what I do,” Purintun said. “I have been an ER nurse for my entire 24 years and cannot imagine myself doing anything else.”