Like all medical professionals, when Shirley Tuller reaches her office early each morning, she never knows what challenges she will face.

In her position as the gerontology and adult nurse practitioner at Carol Woods Retirement Center, however, she does know that everyone she treats during the day will be an older adult.

With only 4.1 percent of all nurse practitioners specializing in gerontology, Tuller is in a unique position. Throughout the day, she interacts with Carol Woods’ residents in the Carol Woods clinic, the health center and in residents’ homes.

Regardless of where Tuller visits, she is known for her kind presence, thoughtful responses and gentle touch.

For outstanding work in her field, Tuller recently was named nurse of the year in the Practice category by the North Carolina Nursing Association. Nominations for the award came from Carol Woods’ residents, physician, nurses and other Carol Woods colleagues.

In her letter of nomination, resident Helen Martikainen wrote: “From my personal and professional perspective, I consider Shirley Tuller to be an impressive role model of professional leadership, competence, integrity, caring, educator — communicator skilled in the focused art of careful listening . . . As the gerontology nurse practitioner here at Carol Woods, she is well-liked and respected as a creative, thoughtful leader, adviser and fine co-worker by the other nursing staff members, physicians and others. Further, the residents of this community value and trust her deeply for the quality professional care and support she provides daily with such caring, skill and grace.”

Tuller received word of her selection in early August, but the official announcement was made on Oct. 10 at the association’s awards luncheon on the first day of the annual state meeting at the North Raleigh Hilton. Martikainen and residents Audrey Booth and Shirley Collins, along with many current and former colleagues, accompanied Tuller to the luncheon.

Tuller was 15 when she announced to her parents that she was going to be a nurse. Her dad’s approach was to suggest she apply for a summer job (as a nurse’s aide) at the town’s nursing home. Tuller always suspected her dad thought she wouldn’t last longer than one summer, but it turned into five years of full-time work during summers and part-time during high school. Before she headed to the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Hanover, N.H., her parents gave her a watch — sweep second hand and all. Several positions later, primarily in the areas of critical care and post-anesthesia care, as well as service with the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps (on active duty as well as in the Naval Reserves), she enrolled at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., and graduated with honors and a degree in nursing.

She continued her journey in gerontology and adult care via a graduate degree from Duke University, and then worked at Chatham Medical Specialists in Siler City as adult and gerontology nurse practitioner. Always a strong advocate for her clients and her community, she served as a member of both the Chatham Hospital Diabetes Advisory Board and the board of directors for Chatham County Group Homes in Siler City. She continues to serve the Triangle on the adjunct faculty at both Duke and UNC. She also is a consultant to the American Association of Retired Persons in Washington, D.C.

Since joining Carol Woods in 2004, Tuller has played a vital role in many components of the health care and service delivery systems. This year, Tuller developed, coordinated and taught a three-week continuing education course for the registered nurses who serve as resident-care coordinators in the Carol Woods health center. The course material covered aspects of communication and team building skills, the use of documentation systems, and physical assessment.

After Tuller received the award from Dennis Sherrod, president of the association, she showed the attendees the watch she had received from her parents.

Her public thanks went especially to Pat Sprigg, president and CEO of Carol Woods, for supporting a “work environment that supports evaluation and innovation of practice.” Tuller cited nurses and friends who have served as mentors throughout the years, including Linda Cronenwett’s daily encouragement to not only “make a difference” but to “be the difference” for residents and other nurses.

Tuller’s philosophy is that “life is a journey for all of us and a constant series of challenges. Nursing has provided me the opportunity to ‘witness’ the universal challenge of aging with grace and dignity. This journey knows not social class, and I find it such a privilege to be included in their lives. Taking time to know what a resident’s goals are and working together support a sense control, wellnes, and comfort along this path. I receive so much more in return than I give.” Residents and staff at Carol Woods are most fortunate that Tuller has chosen to practice, educate, grow and contribute in and to their lives.