Rita Weber’s induction into the Nebraska Nurses Association Hall of Fame required a little bit of trickery to make the honor a true surprise.
Weber, UNMC College of Nursing emeritus professor, was welcomed into the Hall of Fame at the NNA’s annual convention in Kearney on Oct. 3. It came as a shock to Weber, who believed she was present to watch her daughter-in-law, Jayme Weber, UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division nurse specialist, receive a scholarship.
However, when Rita’s name was called, the realization that she’d been tricked set in.
“I just sat there shocked, and then I stood up, looked at Jayme, and said, ‘I thought we were just here for your scholarship,’” she said with a laugh.
The surprise culminated a more than 40-year career as a nurse, educator and health care activist. Weber’s nursing career began as a nurse’s aide in high school. She then completed her BSN at Mount Marty College and accepted a job in the oncology unit at a Colorado hospital. She became a baccalaureate instructor for the Kearney State College nursing program, which became part of UNMC in 1990. Weber then became the full-time director of the senior service program at Good Samaritan Health Systems. She returned to UNMC in 2006, where she taught until her retirement in 2018.
During her time at UNMC, she became heavily involved in nursing policy. She emphasized the importance of nursing advocacy to her students through visits to the Nebraska Legislature and remains on the legislative, advocacy and representation committees of the NNA. She also served as NNA president and in other leadership roles.
Weber said a point of pride from her career as a nurse educator is seeing former students succeed as nurses, leaders and educators. She would impress upon her students the importance of taking advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom, specifically joining the NNA.
“I’m so proud of how many of my former students took me seriously about that statement,” she said.
Now in the NNA Hall of Fame, Weber said she’s honored by the distinction but will continue to make an impact on nursing through service on the policy board and as a watchdog for nursing.
“This shows to me that I made a difference, and I will continue to make a difference,” she said. “I’m terribly humbled and honored by it yet, but I’m not done watching yet.”