Atlantic, IA — Officials with Cass Health (in Atlantic) have announced that Registered Nurse Ashlynn Bagshaw was selected as one of the 2024 Great Iowa Nurses. Great Iowa Nurses is a non-profit program that recognizes nurses in Iowa and spotlights qualities that demonstrate efforts beyond those expected of a nurse within their normal duties.

After finding out she was selected, Bagshaw commented, “I am honored to have received this award, as there are so many hardworking and compassionate nurses who deserve to be recognized throughout Cass Health and across Iowa. This recognition is a wonderful reminder that the work we do matters!”

One of the primary reasons why Bagshaw was nominated by her team is her passion for building the next generation of nurses. Her nominators wrote, “She models how to manage the ebbs and flow of the department with grace. Her ability to reassess and pivot, while actively explaining her thoughts to new team members ensures patients receive excellent care and staff are supported. As new nurses observe, they learn from her to care for patients by establishing trust with them and their families by considering their biological, psychosocial, and cultural needs.”

Ashlynn Bagshaw, RN

Bagshaw became a nurse in 2018 and has worked at Cass Health for the last five years, currently working in the Inpatient Services department. Her original interest in a nursing career started in 2009 while her grandpa was battling terminal illness. “I remember watching the nurses and noticing how well they treated my grandpa. The kindness and compassion they showed him, my family, and me, left a lasting impression. I never contemplated another career path, as I always knew this is what I wanted to do,” said Bagshaw.

Originally called 100 Great Iowa Nurses, the recognition was established in 2004 and hosted by the University of Iowa until 2020. In 2022, with the support of Mary Greeley Medical Center, the program, now called Great Iowa Nurses, returned to recognize Iowa nurses that routinely go above and beyond every day and take that extra step to ensure safe, compassionate care for their patients. These great nurses share their experience and knowledge to improve the health of their communities. They also take on leadership and mentoring responsibilities, serving as role models for everyone they work with, especially those just entering the profession.