When Centennial Medical Center staffers refer to “The Roses” they aren’t talking about an upcoming floral Valentine’s Day gift. They are referring to a husband and wife nursing duo known all around the hospital.
Phillip and Tiffany Rose began working at Centennial Medical Center in 2009 after moving to Texas. Tiffany, 31, works in the post-partum wing, and Phillip, 33, is a surgical and telemetry nurse. This “package deal” doesn’t see a challenge in working alongside a spouse and has excelled in their respective departments, even being nominated for several star awards that recognize employees for going above and beyond.
Apart from the benefits of carpooling to work and occasionally taking a lunch break together, Tiffany said the biggest benefit of working with her husband comes with the understanding they have for each other’s career goals and challenges, which might not be the case for other couples who work in separate industries.
“You can come home and talk nursing. It’s a different level of understanding that we have with each other,” she said. “We know what it’s truly like to be stressed out. It’s good to be able to openly talk and to share that.”
The pair first met in college and got to know each other during nursing school at Nicholls State University. “It was my last semester before graduating, and I didn’t have time for boys,” Tiffany said. During a mandatory meeting, Phillip sat down next to Tiffany. “I had my calendar out and every day was booked. But, he borrowed it and penciled in “Date with Phil” on one Wednesday night I had off.” She said they have been together ever since.
Prior to working at Centennial, the couple worked together at a hospital in Louisiana. “Sometimes she was my charge nurse, and it was hard because when she made decisions, she had to make sure she was fair,” Phillip said. “She had to make sure she didn’t play favorites, so sometimes she had to be more than fair. But, we never had a problem with it.”
Phillip said he thinks they see each other more than the average couple, so it’s important to take time apart to have some down time. “One night a week I play basketball, so she has that night to do what she wants.”
Phillip will be taking a ski trip with friends over the weekend and will return just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “It’s a surprise,” said Tiffany. “When he gets back, he has something special planned for us but I have no idea.”