Marianna Enos’ five-decade nursing journey started at HFC
HFC alumna Marianna Enos has been a nurse since 1974, and loves the job as much today as she did 50+ years ago.
“I live right down the street from Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital. The job gets me out of the house. I honestly think it keeps my brain going, too. I don’t know what I’d do if I were home 24-7, especially in the winter. I love my job. I enjoy what I’m doing,” she said.
Enos has worked at Corewell Dearborn (formerly Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health) for 48 years. She currently works in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. She began her nursing career at what is now DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital (formerly Sinai Hospital) in Detroit. And for 25 years, she worked midnights.
“I only work two days a week now, which is enough for me,” said Enos. “I like taking care of people. You meet so many people and make connections. You can tell you’ve helped them, which helps you too.”
Three generations of HFC students in the Enos family
An only child, Enos was born and raised in Detroit. She has lived in Dearborn since 1976. An alumna of St. Francis de Sales High School in Detroit, Enos enrolled in HFC (then Henry Ford Community College) after graduation.
At the College, she met her late husband, Robert Enos, who played baseball for the Hawks. They were married for 54 years. Enos has three sons and three grandchildren. Her sons, Lorne and Gary, attended HFC as did her grandson, Sean.
Enos initially studied liberal arts but left without finishing her degree. She returned to the College several years later and earned her associate degree in nursing. She worked part-time as an ER admitting clerk at what is now Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital (formerly Botsford Hospital) during the weekends for two years. This inspired her to become a nurse.
“I was on the afternoon shift in the ER admitting department. It was an active ER. I learned the terminology and thought I could be a nurse after seeing what they did,” she recalled. “I returned to HFC because it's where I studied previously. I wanted to go further than high school. I realized nursing was a job I could work 24-7, any shift, any day. With children, it was perfect.”
“Fully ready to take on the challenges” after graduating from HFC
When she started as a nurse at Sinai, Enos was the only Registered Nurse working midnights.
“There was one Licensed Practical Nurse with her assistant, and there was me with my assistant. We worked very hard and very well together. I enjoyed that. I took care of many patients. I don’t think I ever sat down,” she recalled.
Enos credits her success as a nurse to HFC’s highly respected nursing program.
“I had an excellent education at the College. I work with nurses who have 4-year degrees. With my associate degree, I felt I was educated just as well as someone from a 4-year university. I still feel that way,” she said. “Being in the nursing program taught me time management. I was constantly learning something. We spent two days in class and two days in clinicals. I had very good instructors who kept me on my toes. The program prepared me so effectively that when I entered the nursing profession, I was fully ready to take on the challenges ahead.”
“Our greatest role model”
Enos’ son Gary, who was recently elected to a second term on the Deaborn City Council, called his mother the foundation of their family.
“My mom is the hardest-working, kindest, most selfless person I have ever met,” he said. “She is devoted to her work, her faith, and her family. She is a blessing to everyone who has ever had the privilege of meeting her and working with her. I'm going to speak on behalf of my brothers, Lorne and Dan, and my son, Sean: my mom is our greatest role model. She’s made all of our lives immeasurably better. Her character, integrity, and compassion should be an example for all of us.”