BANGOR, Maine — While many Mainers are comfortably in their homes, surrounded by family and celebrating Thanksgiving, some Bangor area nurses chose to work.
"I've worked every Thanksgiving since becoming a nurse," Cameron Ruminer, RN at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, said.
"I get to spend this day with my patients. I'm thankful for them everyday, but especially this day, when so many have family that can't come in and visit them, I get to be their family. I get to sneak them an extra piece of pumpkin pie if we're lucky," Ruminer said.
Ruminer isn't alone in choosing to work the holiday.
"I've been here 10 years, and I've worked every thanksgiving and it's one of my favorite days," Northern Light EMMC Nurse Manager Erika McPherson, BSN, RN, said.
"It's a decision when you decided to become a nurse, and I like to care for people no matter what day," Jan Boldt, BSN, RN, at Northern Light EMMC said.
Staff at EMMC working the holiday are treated to a free Thanksgiving feast. Kitchen supervisor Mariana Murphy said staff are preparing around 1200 Thanksgiving dinners to serve to staff, patients, and their families.
"Not only do we get to feed our patients, but we get to say a big thank you to everyone that works at the hospital," Murphy said.
All of the classic Thanksgiving dishes were served, including hundreds of pumpkin pies.
"We're getting to feed our patients food that they might be worried they're going to miss out on because they can't be with their family and friends today. And we get to be their family and friends and really let them enjoy the holiday meal with us," Murphy added.