Duncan nurse takes on position with Oklahoma Board of Nursing

Aug. 20—A Duncan nurse now occupies a seat on the state nursing board and will fill the position for the next few years.

This summer, The Oklahoma Board of Nursing welcomed two new board members, on of whom was Shaston Salie, LPN from Duncan. She was appointed by Gov. Stitt for a five year term.

Salie has resided in Duncan for the past 20 years where she currently serves as the Assistant Director of Nursing at Elk Crossing Nursing and Rehabilitation. She came to Elk Crossing when it opened in 2015.

Salie said at their facility, she is part of their LCL (leaders creating leaders) group. The group involves itself in several community events.

"At Red River, I serve on the Nurse Aide Advisory Board along with the LPN Advisory Board," she said.

Salie, a 2004 Duncan High School graduate and 2005 LPN school graduate, is currently enrolled at Cameron University and Murray State college to finish her prerequisites for becoming an RN. She's been an LPN for the past 18 years.

"After graduating from Red River Tech Center's LPN program, I first started at Gregston Nursing Home in Marlow in 2005," she said. "I found my feet and loved taking care of the wonderful residents who resided there."

Ten years later, Salie found herself moving onto Elk Crossing in 2015.

"I ventured to Elk Crossing and was proud to assist in opening a beautiful new facility with excellent nursing care," she said.

At different times in her career, Salie has served as a charge nurse, wound care nurse, MDS Coordinator and ADON.

According to Salie, she has a special interest in hospice care. She works part-time for Choice Hospice.

"Nursing is my passion, but particularly geriatrics," she said.

The board was established to "safeguard the public health and welfare of the residents of Oklahoma by ensuring that any person who practices or offers to practice registered nursing, practical nursing or advance practice nursing in this state is competent to do so."

According to the OBN website, there are 11 people on the board and Salie will serve in Geographical District 3 from 2022-2027.

Salie said one area she loves about Duncan is the kindness of the community.

"Being in a military family, I have been in many different communities and I have felt blessed to make the Duncan area my home," she said.

She said some of her goals as part of the board includes ensuring public safety "by continuing to uphold standards of safe nursing care per the Nursing Practice Act."

"My hope is my unique perspective of geriatric healthcare will serve the Board well," she said.

To contact board members, call 405-962-1811 or email boardmember@nursing.ok.gov. For more information about the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, visit https://oklahoma.gov/nursing/about.html.