11/03/2025
Small Town, Big Care: The People Behind the Care
Mary Hayes, RN | Charge Nurse, Day Shift
With more than a decade on the front lines of care, Mary Hayes, RN brings experience, energy, and unmistakable joy to every shift at Acadia St. Landry Hospital. As a Charge Nurse on the Day Shift, she’s a steady presence for patients, staff, and families alike—managing care with compassion and connecting across departments with her signature positivity.
“I enjoy meeting new people, seeing new faces, and just vibing with the different personalities and departments,” Mary says. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her dedication is unmatched.
Though she now thrives in daylight hours, Mary spent 14 years as a night nurse before joining ASLH—making this her very first day job in nursing. It’s a transition she’s embraced fully, and her adaptability is just one of the many strengths she brings to the role.
Her first job was as a cashier at Delchamps in Opelousas, but her passion for healthcare quickly took hold. Now, 11 years into her journey at ASLH (and counting), she’s still pushing herself forward—working not one, not two, but three nursing jobs. In addition to her full-time role at ASLH, she works PRN in behavioral health and IV infusion therapy. “I love being a nurse,” she says simply. And she means it.
Mary is a coffee drinker—cold, if possible—and a morning person through and through. Outside of work, she loves traveling the world with her husband any chance she gets, but her favorite role of all might be the one she plays at home: Grandma.
“I love being a grandma. I wish it was my full-time job,” she says. With six grandchildren and two more on the way, she proudly claims the title of Best Grandma Ever.
People might assume Mary is always on the go—and they wouldn’t be wrong—but there’s a reflective side to her, too. Her favorite local spot is Evangeline Downs, where she visits the racetrack and casino in honor of memories shared with her father.
If she could have any superpower, it would be the ability to fly. “Who wants to walk or drive every time you need to go somewhere?” she laughs. And if she weren’t in healthcare, she’d still be guiding others—this time as a teacher, a goal she still hopes to pursue one day.
Her best advice for those starting out in healthcare is bold, honest, and empowering:
“Never seek validation from your peers, coworkers, or boss. Always do your job to the best of your ability and do it well. Take pride in your work, in yourself, and know you are the best. The real reward and validation will always come from your patients and their families.”
Mary Hayes, RN, is proof that passion, purpose, and perseverance make all the difference.
At Acadia St. Landry Hospital, Small Town, Big Care always starts with people like her.