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Karen L. Schaeffer, RN

Same Day Surgery, Inova Alexandria Hospital

• In June, Karen will have been a nurse for 27 years. She has been with Inova the entire time. She worked in the emergency department for the first 26 years, and last year moved over to the Same Day Surgery unit.

• Since Karen was 7 years old, she has been intrigued with the nursing profession. Taking care of someone who is sick or injured and helping them get better provides Karen with great satisfaction. Karen started at Inova Alexandria Hospital as a staff nurse in the emergency department and through the years became the unit's charge nurse, then the unit's educator and finally a management coordinator. Inova gave Karen the opportunity to grow in a profession she loves. Recently Karen became a grandmother, and Inova worked with her on a new schedule and position, which is when she started with the Same Day Surgery unit.

• Karen and her husband are involved with competitive swimming in the summer leagues, as well as collegiate and national levels. They work with youth at their church, where Karen is also the wedding coordinator. She also enjoys traveling and going on long bike rides.