03/12/2026
This month, we are celebrating our certified nurses at OSF Saint Anthony’s!
Today we are highlighting Darla Svoboda, certified critical care registered nurse. Darla has been a nurse for 12 years. However, she didn’t begin her health care career as a nurse, she originally worked as a medical scribe. It was during that time she realized God was calling her to pursue nursing.
Throughout her career, Darla has worked in the emergency room as well as in a high-risk cardiology unit. She currently serves at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in the cath lab.
Reflecting on her experience at OSF Saint Anthony’s, Darla shares, “It has been so great. The overall vibe at the hospital is magnetic. I have felt so welcomed, like I have been a Mission Partner here my entire career.”
Darla credits the person who first encouraged her to become a nurse – her mom. Listening to her mom’s stories about helping others inspired Darla’s own journey into health care.
She also notes that many people might be surprised by how much happens behind the scenes in nursing. In addition to patient care, nurses are constantly charting, documenting, continuing their education and caring for patients’ families as well as the patients themselves.
Darla is a part of our nursing staff that has been awarded Magnet® Recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This recognition comes "with distinction," making OSF Saint Anthony’s among 46 hospitals in the United States to be recognized with this award.