2023 National Nurses Week

We believe that access to quality health care is a right we all share no matter who you are, where you live, the goals you have, or the challenges you’re facing From advanced procedures and life-changing treatments to routine checkups for your entire family, we’re here to provide the care you need, across the region we call home When you turn to us, you are our most impor tant patient, because you deserve extraordinary care

Learn more or find care at bjc org/deserve

You deserve to get the care you need.

You deserve to know someone is on your side.

You deserve to keep doing what you love. You deserve extraordinary care.

Honorees

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Angela Geile

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Briley Whited

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Amanda Thomas

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Barbara Conway

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Cydney Seabaugh

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Tina Pinkston

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Baylee Dorris

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Heather Bradford

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Ragen Amelung

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Brenda Vinson

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Laura Oder

Nurses: The Heart of Healthcare

These wise words from American poet Maya Angelou express how much of an impact nurses have on their patients

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 5.4 million nurses in the U.S. This includes CNAs, LPNs, RNs and more.

The nursing profession is not an easy one. Nurses work long hours and endure emotional, physical and mental stress. They carry the weight of their patients’ and families’ burdens. They try to remain strong while at work but cry behind closed doors. The intensity of their jobs sometimes even causes burnout

But at the end of the day, nurses say they wouldn’t choose any other profession because theirs is so rewarding These hard-working people calm scared patients and their worried families They dispense so much more than just medicine. They provide comfort, compassion and care.

They are dedicated professionals who have the ability to make their patients’ days much brighter.

The 2023 Nominate a Nurse contest honors 11 local nurses who are showcased here in this special publication for National Nurses Week These women are some of the most dedicated, compassionate and diligent nurses in the Parkland

For this year ’ s contest, Tina Pinkston received the most votes to earn the top spot in the 2023 contest She is a dedicated nurse who works at Parkland Health Center and goes above and beyond to care for her patients Even though her job is very demanding, she makes her patients a priority

Ten more devoted nurses are profiled in this publication. They include Ragen Amelung, Heather Bradford, Briley Whited, Baylee Dorris, Barbara Conway, Angela Geile, Cydney Seabaugh, Laura Oder, Brenda Vinson and Amanda Thomas.

Nurses might not wear capes, but they do wear scrubs They are the real hardworking heroes who sacrifice so much for their patients and families

“As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Angela Geile

Angela Geile believes the most rewarding thing about being a nurse is making a difference in the lives of others. She was inspired to become a nurse by her mom, who was a nurse In fact, Geile was always around nurses

“My mom had the type of job I could go with her to work, which allowed me to get a good idea of what nursing was like,” she said.

Geile had many people who inspired her to pursue the same profession as they had done and continued with the same care and compassion they had

“I have always tried to put myself in my patients’ shoes,” said Geile “I really enjoy helping people feel better”

Her care and compassion extend beyond medical care.

“It’sbeingapatientadvocateandattimes amediatorbetweenpatientsanddoctors,” saidGeile “Thereareasignificantnumber ofresponsibilitiesofbeinganurse Nurses tendtohaveaweirdsenseofhumor,andnot everyonecandothisjob”

She said when patients have setbacks, nurses might not show their feelings in front of the patient or their family.

“But that doesn’t mean the nurse doesn’t care, ” she said, “because usually the tears come later”

Geile said there are many times when she advocated for a patient and that resulted in a more positive outcome for the patient

As a school nurse, Geile advocates for her students. She talks with parents about their student’s illness and suggests certain testing may help to find a cause for an illness If parents seek testing and the root of the illness is found, it is a relief to know the student’s illness is being treated and his or her health will be improved

Geile has worked in the nursing profession for 23 years. She first received her associate’s degree in nursing from Mineral Area College and then obtained a bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University She worked for 15 years at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center before the facility closed.

She’s been working as a school nurse for the Central R-3 School District for the past eight years and is currently the nurse at Central High School.

A typical day for Geile starts at 7:10 a.m. when she arrives at school and prepares her students’ daily medications. She sees several students each day, and their needs range from emotional to physical. She makes phone calls to parents when needed and keeps in contact with students’ primary care physicians when necessary

“It’s my job to make sure the high school

students’ immunizations are completed when needed,” she said.

Geile also attends any medical emergency that happens in her building to determine if an ambulance needs to be called.

Her normal workday ends after 3 p.m.

For Geile’s role as a school nurse, she usually works independently but reaches out to the district’s other nurses as well as other school nurses at neighboring districts when needed.

“The most rewarding part for me is helping someone to feel better,” she said,

“and making a difference I their day when they’re battling a disease or illness.”

She added that nursing is always evolving and she’s always learning “I love helping people,” she said. “I tend to spend time caring for people in a very vulnerable moment for them. Having compassion and empathy are so important.”

Geile, of Farmington, is married to her husband Shawn. She has a son by marriage, Ethan, and a daughter, Hannah, and son Luke. She enjoys spending time with her family

Your Best Medicine

SM supports and celebrates your family

Where you choose to deliver your baby is important, and that’s why families in our community put their trust in Parkland Health Center Our expert physicians and compassionate nurses will be by your side to guide you on your journey from pregnancy to delivery and whatever comes next. With our team of OBGYNs, backed by the expertise of BJC HealthCare, you’ll feel confident as we support and celebrate your family.

We are Parkland Health Center. We are your best medicine.

Learn more at ParklandHealthCenter.org/baby

Barbara Conway

arbara Conway has witnessed the miracle of life and had the blessing of placing a sweet bundle of joy into a brand-new mom ’ s arms. She’s also held the hand of a grandmother who took her last breath in the early morning hours

“There are so many things that I have been given the honor of witnessing throughout my career as a nurse, ” said Conway. “I am sure that I do not live up to the standard that God has set for me, but I am thankful that he has given me the patience to do this job and opportunities to be of use to others”

Conway said she chose to be a nurse because she has known and seen difficult health care situations within her own family

“We needed that nurse to explain, to guide, to listen or to just be in the moment,” she said. “I can only hope and pray that I have been, or that I will be that nurse for someone My efforts will not have been in vain”

Conway earned her LPN certification in 2006 from Sanford Brown She became an RN in 2019 and earned her bachelor’s degree in 2022 from Central Methodist College. She currently works for National Health Care (NHC) Desloge and has been director of nursing there for one year.

Most of Conway’s work experience has been in the healthcare field She worked as a phlebotomist, CAN, EMT, LPN, RN and now BSN Her nursing experience has been in long-term care, acute care settings and a brief time with home health services.

For Conway, her typical workday begins around 8 a.m. After about 17 years of being a nurse, she has discovered many things about herself One of those things is that she’s not an early bird When she first arrives at work, she takes care of immediate responsibilities such as checking emails, messages and anything else that needs her attention. Next, she checks the run sheet to see who is scheduled to work that day and in what area and then confirms they are in those locations She makes rounds on different halls to check in with her partners to see

Bhow their morning is going and if they need her assistance.

“I like to make my rounds in the mornings to also let the residents know that I am interested in how their day is going as well and to let them know that I am approachable and there for them,” she said.

Conway assists with staffing concerns, answers calls, speaks with families and residents, assists with care plan meetings, holds meetings, interviews potential new partners, responds to pharmacy clarifications, lends a hand for direct patient care, passes medications, helps with coordinating appointments and transportation, and so much more.

As director of nursing, Conway’s daily duties vary

“I do what is needed to keep our NHC building running smoothly and efficiently,” she said

That might include assisting in the dining room with meals, helping to plan new and exciting building activities for partners, or engaging with residents in their daily activities

“These are a few of the perks of having some flexibility in my job requirements,” said Conway

Her day ends when she feels she has done the best job she could for the residents and partners that day. On a good day, this translates to about an eight-hour day. On more challenging days, that may be a 12- or 16-hour day

She said, “I wish I could say that the job ends there, but taking calls and answering questions via telephone is also part of the job I guess you could say that there is no real ‘clock-out time,’ but it is all part of the job that I love and signed up for.”

Conway has been fortunate to explore various areas of healthcare as a nurse, but it seems that geriatrics is the area which keeps calling her back Although she enjoyed working in the field with EMS and in the ER, she prefers getting to know her patients and their families on a more personal level.

“This gives me a special type of satisfaction that is very fulfilling and gives my work purpose, ” she said. “It’s especially rewarding when residents ask for guidance, and they trust what you tell them It is very rewarding to feel the trust that you have built with people

who depend on you to do what is best for them”

Conway recalled an especially rewarding time when she cared for a woman with dementia.

“Good days, bad days, sad and angry days,” she said “Days after this sweet woman lost her fight to the horrible disease, her daughters met me at my car after work on day They expressed their gratitude and explained that they knew that I could not accept gifts, but that was not acceptable to them. They explained that since I had such a personal relationship with their mother, they thought it fitting that I have one of the quilts that she had sewn with her own hands Hugs and tears were shared,

and I think of them often as that quilt is displayed proudly in my home.”

For Conway, the most rewarding part of being a nurse is actually hearing her patients say that she has made a difference and that she’s made their life better in some way

“I have acknowledged the fact that we all have a place and a plan in life, and we all make a difference, ” she said “Nursing is what I was meant to do My daily hugs and kind words from my patients and residents are more than I deserve, and it lets me know that what I do is appreciated by those who matter most.”

Conway lives in Terre du Lac with her husband Jason. She has a daughter, Abby, and a son, Harrison.

PATRONSAINT OF NURSES

The life and legacy of Camillus de Lellis

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

In 1550,a boy was born into a noble family who would eventually change health care and inspire others to care for the sick and the weak, becoming the founder of the first Red Cross and an order of priests who served the sick. He is now the patron saint of nurses, nurse associations, the sick, hospitals and health care workers.

He didn’t start out practicing the saintly behavior that would eventually get him canonized. In fact, many Catholic sources refer to him as a bit of a ruffian.

Early life

Camillus de Lellis was born in Bucchianico,Italy His mother died when he was a child and his father had little interest in him. He became quite fond of drinking, gambling and quarreling. At age 17, he contracted a leg disease that plagued him for the rest of his life.He entered the San Giacomo Hospital for Incurables in Rome as a patient and servant, but got thrown out after nine months because of his rowdy behavior.

He tried the Venetian army for three years but in the winter of 1574, he gambled away everything his weapons, all his clothes except his shirt and all his money. He started working at a Capuchin friary and had a religious conversion experience. He tried to become a novitiate, but was disallowed because of the incurable sore on his leg.

Health care work

He returned to San Giacomo where he devoted the rest of his life to caring for the sick.He studied for the priesthood and was ordained when he was 34.He founded an order called “Fathers of a Good Death”in 1585,who became known as the Camillians.

During his life, he promoted cleanliness in hospitals, something not common at the time, and insisted on those who served the sick being trained. Those who became Camillians had to commit to serving prisoners and people who were infected by the plague.

The Camillians formed the first recorded military field ambulance when they joined troops fighting in Hungary and Croatia in 1595 They would wear a red cross on their cassocks, which is still a symbol of their order

Going where needed

In Naples, they would go out to boats that were barred from landing because people on them had the plague.Two members of his order were martyred when they contracted the plague. When he learned that people were being buried alive, he ordered the brothers of his order to continue the prayers for the dying for 15 minutes after apparent death.

While he had a building in which he taught members of his order how to provide health care and worked in hospitals, he and his order were known for going wherever a sick person was, even at risk to their own lives.

Death and legacy

De Lellis continued to be sick throughout his life not only with his leg infirmity, but with several other diseases. It was said that he would sometimes crawl out of his bed to visit the sick. He died in Rome in 1614.

He was canonized in 1746 and in 1930 he was named co-patron of nurses and nurse associations along with St. John of God.

His legacy lives on through the work of the Camillian order and several other organizations that sprung from it and his work. Thousands of health care workers continue to follow in his footsteps, caring for the sick and the vulnerable.

Baylee Dorris

Baylee Dorris believes every day is rewarding as a nurse

“We get to help people when they are at their lowest,” she said.

Dorris recalled when she helped a patient fight a very long and difficult battle with COVID-19 The patient spent about four weeks in the hospital

“It was very far and few between that we got to send our COVID patients home,” she said. “It was wonderful when we got to send him home with his family!”

Dorris, an RN, works at Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown in the float pool in the ER and med surg department She has worked at MMC for about two months

She completed her nurse residency in the Step-Down ICU at Mercy Jefferson and has now been a nurse for three years.

In addition to her work experience at Mercy Jefferson and MMC, she worked at Mercy St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View

Dorris begins her typical day in med surg by receiving the report from the offgoing shift. She then stops by each of her patients’ rooms to introduce herself, take their vitals and complete assessments. Her next step is to research each patients’ information by computer to make a plan for the day. The next step is usually to disperse morning medications, followed by charting information When that is completed, it’s time for patients’ baths, showers and dressing changes

She goes on rounds with the doctors and nurse practitioners to express her patients’ needs and wants.

Once all of those tasks are completed and before her shift ends, it’s time for Dorris to reassess her patients and provide the report to the oncoming shift

When she works in the ER, Dorris said it can be more hectic because they never know what will happen

“Sometimes it’s a patient with a sore throat, broken bone, bad car accident or even an MI (heart attack),” she said. “Depending on what is going on with the patient is how we react. For every patient, it starts with vitals, then an assessment and most of the time an IV”

After that, Dorris speaks with the doctor so they can make a plan That’s followed by charting

“Sometimes it’s a simple fix and discharge, and sometimes we have to act quickly and transfer the patient to a different hospital that has specialty care, ” she said.

A day in the ER usually ends the same, by completing the report for the oncoming shift and heading home for the day

When reflecting on her career, Dorris said she became a nurse because she wanted to help others as they have helped her She was born at only 24 weeks gestation and had amazing nurses care for her in the NICU.

“They believed in me, so I wanted to do the same for others,” she said

Dorris continued, “I wish people knew that nursing requires knowledge, skill and judgement, not only caring and compassion Obviously, we have to be caring and compassionate to be able to do this job, but we also have an immense body of knowledge.”

She said one challenge in nursing is coordinating everything

“Nurses are basically the go-to person for every other department,” she explained, “ so we have to keep in contact with doctors, family, PT, OT, appointments, dietary and so many more about each of our patients. The rewarding part is seeing the whole picture of the patient and helping them on their road to recovery ”

So far in her career, Dorris has been a DAISY Award nominee.

“I know I make a difference when my patients smile when they see I’m their nurse for the day,” she said. “Anytime a patient says that they are so happy that I’m working that day, I know I have impacted their lives for the better.”

She’s passionate about her career and loves that nursing allows her the opportunity of learning something new every single day

Dorris lives in Roselle with her husband Trevor, daughter Sterling and father Chris Schillinger. She has horses and competes in rodeos and barrel races. She also loves plants and gardening

“My favorite thing of all is playing with my daughter and doing anything and everything she loves to do!”

Brenda Vinson

B“renda Vinson has been a hospice nurse with Serenity HospiceCare for over 20 years. She is kind, compassionate, and devoted to her patients She is truly an outstanding hospice nurse and is very attentive to details She provides exceptional support and education to patients as well as their families. Brenda always provides remarkable care to each family she cares for and has made a lasting impression on many people throughout the years ”

This Nominate a Nurse contest submission speaks volumes of Brenda Vinson

She has been a nurse for 25 years She’s worked in long-term care and at two large primary-care offices.

She’s been employed at Serenity HospiceCare for 20 years and has worked as a field nurse, palliative care nurse and on-call nurse

Vinson said she’s blessed to be able to have a career that she absolutely loves

“I love my job and taking care of patients at the end of their life,” she said. “It is truly a privilege and honor that our patients allow us in their lives at such a difficult and vulnerable time for them.”

Vinson added that hospice is such a rewarding job

“Being able to help patients and families navigate their last journey here on earth is very special,” she said “Helping patients get comfortable and spend their last days with those they love is a gift.

As a hospice nurse, Vinson said it’s important to provide each patient with one-on-one care The Serenity HospiceCare team works together to ensure their patients’ and families’ needs are met The team includes a wide variety of professionals who are devoted to their patients: nurses, nurses assistants, social workers, chaplain, volunteers and administrative staff.

“Our organization is more like a family than a workplace,” said Vinson. “We all care for our patients and each other I have been truly blessed in finding a place

at Serenity I LOVE being a nurse and am blessed to have found my niche and able to share it with others!”

She is currently working to further her education in nursing.

Vinson and her husband Joshua live in Mineral Point. They have two grown children, son Aaron and daughter Maddy

Aaron is married to Bailey, and Maddy is married to Cordell. Vinson and her husband have three grandchildren: Penelope, Brooks and Silas.

“Family is super important to me, and I love spending time with my family,” said Vinson

They have a small hobby farm and

spend time taking care of their bees, chickens, dog, and fruit trees and berries.

When Vinson isn’t with her family or out on the farm, she enjoys reading, researching family history and scrapbooking, gardening, and attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Farmington.

Iron County Medical Center welcomes new CNO Iron County Medical Center welcomes new CNO

Iron County Medical Center (ICMC) recently welcomed Billie Jo Russell as its new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). With National Nurses Week approaching, Russell reflects on her career and shares her vision for the nursing department at ICMC.

Russell has been in healthcare since 2003 when she graduated from MAC with a degree in surgical technology. She then earned her ADN from Jefferson College and her BSN from UMKC. Russell joined ICMC in November 2014.

“I was inspired to go into healthcare because I like to help others,” Russell says. “For me, being a nurse is my life’s calling.”

Russell’s top priorities for the nursing department include providing compassionate care close to home and putting the patient first.

“I would also like to prioritize a teamwork mentality hospital-wide, meaning all departments working together to do what is best for our patients,” Russell said. “For me, I have always had the mentality when caring for patients to treat everyone as if they are my family or friend. That is the mindset I’d like to see hospital-wide.”

Russell acknowledges the nursing shortage is a significant challenge in the healthcare industry. She believes the key to addressing this is to be competitive with salaries.

“As a critical access hospital it is harder for us to compete with some of the larger hospitals,” Russell said. “However, our ratio for Med Surg is 6:1, having a lower ratio means you get to spend more time with your patients giving them the care they need.”

Russell added, the shortage is not just isolated to nursing but the entire industry.

“One way I think we could help is if we keep our salaries competitive with larger hospitals,” Russell said, “This is something I think ICMC is currently doing a great job at.”

Another way to help the shortage is to promote nurse well-being and prevent burnout.

Russell said, ICMC is doing this with increased nursing pay, encouraging staff members to use their vacation time, and implementation of flex scheduling.

“Also, we currently work with other

larger hospitals to come in and provide education free to our employees for like stroke, STEMI, and sepsis,” Russell said.

“By doing this it helps us keep up to date on any changes. We also have annual Skills Day training. Knowledge is power, and we can never have too much as things are always changing.”

Russell advises new nurses starting their careers, to prioritize the patient and never be afraid to ask questions or admit when they don’t know something.

“Early in my career here at ICMC, I had more time to spend with patients when I started in surgery,” Russell recalls. “When I had the time, I would sit and talk to patients in preop to help them with questions and anxieties. When waiting for the surgeon I would talk to them about things outside of what was happening and get to know them. I felt this helped them to be able to relax and take their mind off the surgery. Remember the patient is always the priority.”

Russell reflects on some of her most rewarding experiences as a nurse, including being part of a code team and bringing a patient back to life. She also said she remembers a time when a patient asked for someone to pray with her, and she was able to offer comfort and support.

“A patient had just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and she asked us to find someone who would pray with her,” Russell said. “She was alone, had no family with her at the time, so I told her, ‘I can pray with you.’ I know it meant a lot to her, but it also meant a lot to me that she wanted me to pray with her.”

Russell said those are the moments which remind her why she became a nurse.

Russell’s message to the nursing team at ICMC during Nurses Week is one of gratitude and encouragement.

“Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made and continue to make every day to make Iron County Medical Center the best hospital,” Russell says. “Your work is meaningful and inspiring to not only the patients but coworkers. I hope you never lose sight of how important you are and what brought you into nursing. God bless you all, you are loved and appreciated! I also could not do the job I do without every one of you. It takes a team, and I am thankful for the team I get to work with and alongside every day!”

Briley Whited

Briley Whited wants people to realize how much care and compassion nurses have for their patients

“Nursingisnot justpassingmeds, givingbathsand helpingpatientstothebathroom,”she said “Nursingisconnectingwithpatients, beingthereforourpatientswhennoone elseisandjustlisteningtothemwhenthey needsomeone”

Whiteddescribednursingasmorethana physicaljob.

“Itisamentalandemotionaljobaswell,” shesaid.“Nursingisbeingthatperson foryourpatientandhelpingthemthrough whatevertheyneedatthattime Nursing isshowingempathyandcompassionfor everyoneineverycommunity”

WhitedattendedMineralAreaCollege’s nursingprogramandhasworkedatBJC ParklandHealthCenterinFarmingtonfor thepasttwoyears.

ShecurrentlyworksonParkland’s medicalsurgicalandcardiacfloor.

AccordingtoWhited,thecardiacunitis anewerunit,andshe’slearnedagreatdeal fromworkinginthisareaatthehospital

Whited’stypicaldayasanursebeginsat 6:30am Sheobtainsthemorningreport andbeginscaringforherpatientsby7a.m. Throughoutherday,sheassessespatients; dispensesmedications;andworksasateam memberwithdoctors,labtechs,patientcare techsandmanymoretoimprovepatients’ overallhealthconditions

Attheendofher12-hourshift,Whited wrapsupherdayaround7pm

Whitedsaidtherearechallengingaspects ofherjob.

“Themostchallengingpartaboutbeinga nurseisthedayswhenyouhavethesickest patientandyouhavetoacceptthereis nothingelsethatcanbedoneforthem,”she said “Butthat’swhyasanursewehaveto bethereforthemandtheirfamilyandmake suretheyarecomfortableandhelpthem throughtheirtimeofneed”

ForWhited,themostrewardingpart ofbeinganurseisknowingshe’smade adifferenceinsomeone’slife.Receiving handwrittencardsorlettersfrompatients andtheirfamiliesthankingherforcaringfor themmakesahugedifference

“Butthentherearetimeswhenyounotice

achangeinyourpatientandnotifyyour physician,”shesaid.“Whenthishappens andyoupotentiallysaveapatient’slife,there isnobetterfeelingIhaveeverfeltinmy entirelife.”

Asanurse,Whitedcannotevenimagine workinginanyotherprofession

“Ijustcannotimaginedoinganything elsewithmylife,”shesaid “Seeingpatients’ healthoverallimproveandseeingthem smilemakeseverysingledayworthit forme.”

Whitedaddedthatshelovesbeingthe personherpatientslooktoforhelpand listentotheirconcerns

“Everydayasanurseisrewardingfor me, ”shesaid Whitedhasalreadyearnedawards inhernursingcareer,includingthe DAISYAward.TheDAISYAwardisan internationalprogramthatrewardsand celebratestheextraordinaryclinicalskill andcompassionatecaregivenbynurses everyday

Shealsorecentlycompletedher bachelor’sdegreeinnursing

Inadditiontoherworkscheduleat Parkland,Whitedisalsoinvolvedwith theUnitPracticeCouncilandtheFall ReductionTeam.

Whited,ofFarmington,isthedaughterof TimandKileyWhitedofIronton

Whensheisn’tworkingasanurse,she enjoystimewithherfamily,readingand beingoutdoors

Seeing patients’ healthoverall improveand seeingthem smilemakes everysingle dayworthit forme.”

PREVENTING BURNOUT

ing on what best feeds their soul and their body.

GREEN

SHOOT MEDIA

Nurses are the backbone of the health care system. It’s a profession that requires long hours and is often stressful. They face challenging situations as they provide emotional and physical supporttopatientsandtheirfamilies

In fact, they’re often so focused on caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. However, selfcare is not a luxury or an option It’s an essential task for nurses so that theycancontinuetocareforothers.In fact,theAmericanNursesAssociation Code of Ethics explicitly states that nursesmustadoptself-careasaduty.

The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illnessanddisabilitywithorwithoutthe support of a health care provider.”

Importance of self-care

Self-care can help alleviate some of the toll that the demands of the profession take on nurses, tolls that include chronic stress, anxiety, depression,fatigue,backpainandheadaches.

In 2022, the American Nurses Associationconducteda“HealthyNurse Survey” and found that there was an urgent need to improve the health of nursesandtheirqualityoflife.Itfound that 70% of nurses put their patient care needs over their own.

Self-care methods

Different nurses will find different ways to engage in self care, depend-

Nursejournal org recommends five different forms of self-care: physical, mental,social,spiritualandpersonal. Others add professional and medical. Theseactivitiescantakemanydifferent forms from yoga classes to playing music to creating a new skincare regime.

Some other suggestions:

 Practice mindfulness. Mindfulnessisthepracticeofbeingpresent and fully engaged in the moment. It rangesfromtakingafewdeepbreaths to meditating to going for a walk in nature.

 Exercise regularly. Set goals to walk 10,000 steps, work out a few timesaweekorparticipateinafitness class.Itcanevenbesomethingassimple as going for a walk during a lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

 Eat well. Choose nutritious food and drink lots of water Pack healthysnacks.Takeadvantageof any healthy meal plans available in a hospital cafeteria or in other workplaces

 Get enough sleep. It’s hard to sleep when stressed. So, create a relaxing bedtime routine Usearomatherapyand provideyourselfapeacefulenvironment.

 Connectwithothers.It’shard to create work-life balance, but try to make time to spend with family and friends.Participateinahobby.Goout to dinner with friends.

More resources

Needmoreideasforself-care?There are several nursing organizations that provideresourcesonselfcare,includ-

ingtheAmericanNursesAssociation,theNationalCouncilof State Boards of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, nurse.org and The Journal of Nursing Education. Thereisn’tawrongwaytodoselfcare excepttonotdoitatall. Schedule time and don’t feel guilty because whatyouaredoing is essential.

Make time for self-care in a stressful profession

NURSES: Heart of Health Care Honoree

Cydney Seabaugh

“I’m honestly just doing what is my passion.”

That’s what Cydney Seabaugh said when she learned she’d been selected as a 2023 Nominate a Nurse winner.

Seabaugh has been a nurse for more than two decades.

“I became a nurse because I have always been one to take care of others, no matter how much or how little,” she said. “I have always had a heart for caring for others and hoped to be able to make a difference for someone.”

She first attended LPN school at South Central Career Center, Texas County Technical College to become an RN, and then to the LPN-RN Bridge program at Drury University in Springfield, Mo.

Seabaugh currently works at Serenity HospiceCare. She started working there in 2010 as a field nurse and is now director of nursing.

She loves working in the healthcare profession.

“It is an honor, privilege and a blessing to be a part of this wonderful, caring and compassionate company,” said Seabaugh. “Being able to provide peace and comfort to our patients and their families during this chapter of their lives is so rewarding.”

Seabaugh also has previous hospital, nursing home, and home health experience.

A typical day for her begins around 8 a.m. and doesn’t end until 5 p.m. or later. But she often starts earlier, around 5:30 or 6 a.m. to begin checking the day’s schedules for nurses and CNAs.

Throughout the day, she answers many questions, makes decisions, solves problems and assists wherever she’s needed. She visits with patients and their families.

“I try to not only be a leader but also a team player,” she said.

In reflecting on her career, Seabaugh said as a whole it’s been thoroughly rewarding, whether it’s helping a patient or family member with an issue or struggle or learning something new to pass along to her staff.

Even years after a patient has passed and when family members see her later, they hug Seabaugh and tell her how much

they appreciated her being there for them.

“That’s what this is all about,” she said.

“It’s not about the money or where I can make the most money. The long hours are tiring at times, but knowing I have simply been there for someone when they needed

it is a reward in itself.”

Seabaugh and husband Jason live in Perryville. They have six children: Kali, Ethan, Jordan, Abby, Jake and Chase. When she isn’t working, Seabaugh loves spending time with her family.

“We are usually pretty busy with the two still at home,” she said. “One is 16 and the other 8. They both love to play baseball, so our summers consist of baseball games mostly. But when they’re not playing baseball, we are camping and kayaking.”

Helping prevent infections

A

closer look at Project Firstline

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

The role nurses play in preventing infection has never been more clear than it has been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set out to provide free resources and additional training for health care workers so that they can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. They’re calling it Project Firstline and it brings together more than 75 healthcare,academic andpublichealthpartnerstohelpfrontline health care workers protect their patients, their coworkers and themselves from in-

fectious disease threats.

The free resources come in a variety of formats and the CDC said they are designed“toempowerandenablehealthcare workers to think critically about infection control, using adult learning principles, educational best practices, CDC recommendations and the science that informs them.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it made the medical world even more aware of the gaps in infection control knowledge andpracticeinhealthcaresettingsnationwide Project Firstline is an attempt to close those gaps.

Listening to health care workers

The CDC committed to developing the resources hand-in-hand with health care workers,recognizing their knowledge and expertise. They asked them how they did theirjobandworkedwiththemratherthan

dictating policy to them.

Theyalsomadeitaprioritytoprovideall of their content to all health care workers regardless of previous education, background knowledge or job status

Respecting time and bandwidth

Nurses work long hours and have little time available for training, especially outside of work hours They’re often exhausted and after these past several years, many are on the verge of burnout and almost all have experienced trauma in the workplace.

With this in mind, content is delivered inbite-sizedsegmentstailoredforpractice anddesignedtobeintegratedintothework day.Inanefforttomeethealthcareworkers where they are, it teaches the why behind infection control practices.

The information has been translated into Spanish and several Asian languages.

Training materials and educational resources are available in many different formats,recognizingthediverseneedsand learningpreferencesofhealthcarenurses. They include in-person training, online training, videos, infographics, training toolkits and interactive tools.

Project Firstline accomplishments

In the first two years since it has launched,ProjectFirstlineanditspartners have created more than 200 educational products and training materials on health care infection control. It has hosted more than750educationaleventsreachingmore than 65,000 health care workers.

Their various platforms have received more than 84 million views.

Nurses can sign up for the Project Firstline newsletter or access educational materials online.

THE RISE OF ADVANCED NURSING

Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are highly trained nurses who are taking on many of the tasks that used to be reserved for doctors. They help fill a growing demand and provide personalized care that often provides patients with more attention than they might otherwise get. To fill these roles, nurses complete additional education and clinical training, usually in a specialized area. This training gives them the authority to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications and manage patient care.

There are several types of APRNs, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists.

Nurse practitioners

Certified nurse practitioners provide a wide range of primary and specialty care services. In addition to the tasks listed above, they also help to manage chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

Some nurse practitioners take on additional specialties such as psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) who can provide specialized care, conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, provide psychotherapy and prescribe medication.

Other common types of nurse practitioners are:

 Family nurse practitioners (FNP) who provide primary care services to patients of all ages.

 Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNP) who provide primary care services to older adults, focusing on managing chronic conditions, preventing disease and promoting wellness.

 Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP) who provide primary care services to infants, children and adolescents, including health maintenance and preventive care.

 Women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNP) who provide specialized care in reproductive and gynecological health, family planning and menopause management.

Other NPs may earn specialty certifications in areas such as cardiology, oncology or emergency medicine.

Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)

Clinical nurse specialists are experts in a particular area of health care such as pediatrics, oncology or critical care. They have several broad responsibilities.

CNSs provide direct specialized patient care to help assess, diagnose and manage complex health conditions. They also play key roles in educating and training other nurses on evidence-based practices and protocols within their area of specialty.

CNSs are sometimes called upon to participate in quality improvement initiatives that help to improve patient outcomes, reduce health care costs and implement new practices and technology. Others conduct research and contribute to evidence-based practices in their area of specialty.

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM)

Midwifery is a centuries old practice, but in the 1920s and 1930s, states started to outlaw these health care professionals. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a resurgence of interest in natural childbirth and the American College of Nurse-Midwives was formed in 1955 to promote midwifery.

Today, CNMs provide prenatal care, assist with childbirth and provide gynecological care to women throughout their

reproductive lives. They also provide family planning services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 7,750 CNMs in the United States.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)

CRNAs provide anesthesia and pain management services to patients undergoing surgery or other medial procedures. They can be found in hospitals, dental offices, surgical centers and medical centers. According to Nurse.org, they rank 10th in the list of best health care jobs in 2023 and are the highest-paid nurses in 2023. To become a CRNA, a nurse must have a doctorate degree focusing on anesthesia, complete extensive clinical training and pass a certification exam.

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Heather Bradford

eather Bradford strives to make a positive impact in people’s lives each day She hopes to make their bad days a little bit better while they’re in her care.

“Helping a patient or family member through a difficult moment is always very rewarding,” she said “It’s great to see a previous patient outside of the hospital who remembers me and thanks me for the care I provided.”

Bradford spent many sleepless nights studying and missed out on a few moments in her children’s lives to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse

“My children tell me how proud they are of me for never giving up on my dream of becoming a nurse, ” she said, “and now my oldest daughters work in healthcare and want to follow in my footsteps.”

Bradford, of Farmington, obtained her LPN certification in 2012 from Mineral Area College, RN degree in 2017 from Jefferson College, and graduates in August from Central Methodist University with her bachelor’s degree in nursing

She spent her first year as a nurse working in cardiology and then several years at the prison in Bonne Terre. She also worked in the critical care float pool at Mercy, which included the ICU, TCU, PCU and emergency department. In addition, she worked as a local travel nurse for a few years.

Bradfordcurrentlyworksthenightshift inParklandHealthCenter’semergency department Hershiftbeginsat6:30pm Shecaresforpatientsofallagesandthose whohaveavarietyofillnessesandinjuries.

“Iworkcloselywithagreatteamof physiciansandnursestoprovidethebest carepossibletopeoplewhoarepotentially havingtheworstdayoftheirlives,”shesaid

Bradford originally thought she wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse because when she had her children, she had some wonderful nurses. But one of her deliveries did not go well, and the nurse who was there that day never left Bradford’s side and helped her through every moment.

“I have never forgotten that nurse and wanted to be that nurse for someone else

Hsomeday,” she said.

However, she realized she thoroughly enjoyed the emergency department when she worked in the float pool.

Regardless of the department nurses work in, Bradford believes nurses hide their feelings well.

“There are times in our career that no matter how hard we fight to save a life, it doesn’t end the way we wish it would,” she said. “When that happens, you may not know the toll it takes on us because when we step into your room, you are the priority and we have to be ready to treat your medical emergency and give you our full attention, even if that means we have to bury our feelings for the time being.”

Bradford said one of the most challenging aspects of her job is missing holidays with her family or celebrating holidays on different days so her family can be together

Working through the COVID-19 pandemic was especially challenging and took a toll on everyone.

“It even had me second-guessing my career choice for a little bit,” she said, “but at the end of the day, there is nothing else I’d rather do”

But there are many rewarding facets of her job.

“The most rewarding thing for me as a nurse is the impact that I make on patients while they are in my care, ” she said. “I also like to mentor and train new nurses and love to see them succeed in their careers. ”

Bradford explained that nursing isn’t always an easy field to work in, but she can’t imagine doing anything else.

She earned the Lifesaver award while working at the prison in Bonne Terre and has been on the Dean’s list while attending college.

When she isn’t caring for her patients, Bradford enjoys spending time with her husband Jon-Erik, daughters Alayna, Leah, Addison and Channing, and sons Brayton and Justice. Her mom Darlene also lives in Farmington, and her brother Brad lives in Perryville.

She and her husband are scuba certified. During the summer, they take their kids to the river, pool or waterpark as much as possible. They also love to entertain at their house. She even loves to play “Call of Duty” with her husband and sons even though she’s horrible at the game.

VIRTUALNURSING

HUNTER BOYCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Telehealth has reached new heights in popularity following a workforce-crippling pandemic That being said, not all health care heroes are behind the concept of virtual nursing.

According to a survey by NSI Nursing Solutions, registered nurse turnover stood at roughly 27% in 2022. Meanwhile, RN vacancy rates were at 17.1%. According to Medpage Today, all of those nursing vacancies have hit the health care industry with a growing knowledge gap. Virtual nursing is partially designed to close that gap.

New nurses are “scared to death” of making a mistake when they first come onto the floor, Wendy Deibert, MBA, BSN, senior vice president of clinical solutions for Caregility, told Medpage Today

“They’re thrown into a world... with not a lot of experience behind them,” she said. “So having a button on the wall where you can push at a moment’s notice and get a nurse in that room to assist (is a huge help)

“I can zoom in to [see] exactly what they’re doing and give direction and support, so that they don’t feel like they’re out there on a limb by themselves. Not only does that boost their confidence, but it also really stops that turnover, because if they get too scared and do not feel supported, they’re not going to stay there.”

Steve Polega, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer of University of Michigan Health-West, however, believes utilizing virtual nursing is a lost cause.

“As a nurse of 25 years, I believe that nursing is a calling and a gift,” he told Becker’s Hospital Review. “It is a huge responsibility to be trusted by our patients and families to be the eyes, ears and caring hands at the bedside. Nursing is all about connecting with people. To earn that trust, I believe that you need to be at the bedside. Nursing is about that kind touch, that smile, those reassuring things that we can do for patients and families

“It is very challenging to have that real human connection through virtual care. I think we all lose if this trend continues We have to optimize our technologies to make our nurses more

efficient and effective, but at the end of the day, nurses put the humanity into care and need to be present and at the bedside.”

It’s a point that perhaps needs to be put to the test.

Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City took advantage of an opportunity to significantly implement virtual nursing in 2019, before the pandemic. The hospital constructed a 33 bed nursing unit at one of its four facilities, utilizing a new care model and workflow.

“It was important that the model had an impact for both the nursing staff and the patient experience,” Jennifer Ball, RN, BSN, MBA, director of virtual

care at Saint Luke’s Health System, told the American Nurses Association. “We looked at what could be taken off the plate of the bedside RN and completed by a nurse on camera in the patient room. We included tasks such as admission database, discharge teaching, medication reconciliation, completing procedure checklists, second nurse sign off for meds/skin checks, general education/teaching for the patients, contacting families, answering questions, and the list goes on.

“When these items are completed by the virtual RN, that frees up the time of the bedside RN to have more time to manage physical needs of the patents,

answer call lights sooner, and generally have more time with the patients.”

The unit opened in Feb 2021 and has since experienced several workflow changes. According to Ball, the unit’s operation since its opening has allowed for a few lessons

“You can never have too much education, training and information shared,” she said. “Staff have to be flexible, like change, and be willing to try new things. Start your planning early, be wiling to adjust things, and figure out your technology early on. Get everyone involved from the beginning: other disciplines and staff that will be interacting with the new care model.”

DREAMSTIME

Registered nurse vacancy rates were at 171% in 2022

Experts weigh in on the joys and woes of telehealth

Laura Oder

LauraOderbecameanurse becauseshefeelsitisher passiontohelpothers

“Iwanttomakeadifference intheworldandtouchothers’ lives,”shesaid

Oder’snominationforthe 2023NominateaNursecontestwassimple yetpowerful:“Lauraisacompassionate, caringnursethatgivesherpatientsherall. Sheneverhesitatestogiveahelpinghandand makessureourpatientsaretakencareof”

OderisaDeslogeresidentandhasbeena nurseforalmosttwoyears Shecompleted theRNprogramatMineralAreaCollege SheworkedatMercyHospitalJeffersonfor sevenyears.

Inthepast,sheworkedonmedsurg, behavioralhealth,rehabilitation,pulmonary andsurgicalfloors

ShehasworkedatSerenityHospiceCare sinceJanuary2023

AtSerenityHospiceCare,Odercaresfor patientswhoneedherthemost Shemakes itaprioritytolistentoherpatientsandis supportiveoftheirfamilymembers.

“Itryveryhardtoalwaysputmypatients’ needsbeforemyown,”shesaid.“Iwant tobethenursethatpeoplelookforward toseeing I’vehadafewpatientswho remembermeastheirnurseandthankme fordoingwhatIamdoing,andthatmakes myjobsoworthwhile”

TherearemanydayswhenOderis completelyexhausted.

“Igoalldayandputallmyenergyto caringformypatientsandthenhaveto comehome,cookdinner,takecareof householdchoresandcareformychildren,” shesaid “Weneverstop Wealwaystryto dothebestthatwecan”

Regardlessofherexhaustionandthe numerouschallengesthatshefaces,Oder workshardforherpatientsandalways makesthemherpriority.

“Beingabletomakeadifferenceinthe nursingworldnomatterhowmanytearsare shedisalwaysimportanttome,”shesaid OderandherhusbandDoughavetwo children,GracieandRuger

Whensheisn’tworkingasanurse,Oder enjoyswatchinghersonplaybaseballand basketballandherdaughterplayvolleyball, basketballandsoftball.

“Ilovehangingoutwithfriendsand familyontheweekends,”shesaid,“and whenitgetswarmoutside,mykidsandIgo onhikes”

Army Nurse overcame barriers

Brig, Gen. Hazel Winifred Johnson-Brown, Oct. 10-1927-Aug. 5, 1927, was a retired nurse and educator, who served with the U.S. Army from 1955-1983. In 1979 she became the first black female general in the United States Army and the first black chief of the Army Nurse Corps.

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Hazel Johnson-Brown was a determined woman who wasn’t going to let anyone tell her she couldn’t be a nurse.

Not only did she achieve that title, but Johnson-Brown would go on to become the first Black female general in the U.S. Army in 1979 and the first Black chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Early life

Born in Pennsylvania in 1927, she was

one of seven children. All of her family members worked on the farm and held other jobs. She took on domestic work when she was 12, but even then knew she wanted to be a nurse.

When she graduated from high school, the West Chester School of Nursing rejected her because she was Black. She moved to New York and studied at the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. Returning home, she worked for the Philadelphia Veterans Association and learned about the Army Nurse Corps, which Presi-

dent Harry Truman had racially integrated seven years earlier.

Army Nurse Corps

She joined the Army Nurse Corps and her first tour was in a hospital in Japan. She worked in operating rooms and trained nurses who were on their way to Vietnam. She was once assigned to go to Vietnam, but became ill. The nurse who took her place was killed in a surprise attack on the unit shortly after they arrived in the country.

Johnson-Brown briefly left the Army to earn her nursing degree from Villanova University. She then returned to active duty. The first of many assignments was as an operating room nurse at Walter Reed. She continued to earn degrees and continued to teach nurses.

She was given progressively more responsible positions wherever the Army needed her.

In 1979, she was nominated to become the 16th chief of the Army Nurse Corps with a promotion to brigadier general. It made her the first Black woman and the first chief with an earned doctorate to be appointed to that position. She was also only the third woman to achieve the rank of general in the Army. At the time, white nurses outnumbered Black nurses 12 to one.

Accomplishments

Johnson-Brown was not one to sit on her laurels. As chief, she pushed several initiatives.

She promoted academic scholarships for ROTC nursing students and set up a clinical nursing summer camp for ROTC cadets. She was the first to publish a “Standards of Practice for the Army Nurse Corps.” She promoted quality assurance measures in treatment facilities and encouraged members of the Corps to engage in research.

Johnson-Brown believed in the important roles that the rank and file nurses played in the Army and gave them shared responsibility for planning the future of the Corps. She promoted education and worked to expand opportunities for Reserve and National Guard nurses in top management positions.

After her four-year term, she retired from the Army Nurse Corps.

Ongoing Work

She still wasn’t done changing the nursing world. She continued to teach at nursing schools at Georgetown University and George Mason University. She helped found the Center for Health Policy, Research and Ethics.

In 1990, when many of the employees of Fort Belvoir Community Hospital were deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Desert Storm, she volunteered to work in the surgical suite.

Johnson-Brown twice earned the title “Army Nurse of the Year” and received many other medals.

When she died in 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Joint Resolution commending her “significant contributions to the nursing profession and her dedication to the U.S. Army. She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a woman who successfully pursued a dream that others would have denied to her.

RACHEL LARUE, U.S. ARMY

2023 NURSES: Heart of Health Care Honoree

Amanda Thomas

Nurses often face difficult and sometimes heartbreaking situations. Knowing what to say or how to respond isn’t always easy.

Amanda “Mandy” Thomas seems to know just what to say at the right time.

According to the submission about her for the Nominate a Nurse contest, the individual said Thomas is “an amazing nurse. She works with the elderly, caring for them like they are her own grandparents. She makes time for each and every patient she encounters as well as makes sure their family members are updated and informed of their wellbeing. When there is a shift to be covered or extra hands needed, Amanda is who you’ll find meeting those needs. She is a constant force of care who goes above and beyond, often putting her patients before herself. Amanda is well deserving of this honor.”

Thomas graduated from the LPN program at Mineral Area College in 2007. Prior to her graduation, she worked as a CAN. She applied to the nursing program so she could be an advocate and a voice for her patients.

It was during clinicals that she realized geriatric nursing is where she belonged.

Thomas has now worked at Country Meadows in Park Hills for eight years. A typical shift for her is either from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of her duties include assessments, wound treatments, contacting physicians, taking orders and more.

One frustration for Thomas is staffing issues.

“We have staffing issues at times,” she said. “I think people need to understand that as nurses we are choosing your family over our own.”

Despite all of the difficulties, Thomas greets her patients with a smile and chooses to deliver high-quality care to her patients through kindness and compassion. She listens to her patients’ and their families’ concerns and tries to overcome challenges.

Through her work experience in

healthcare, Thomas said the most rewarding part of her career so far has been caring for patients who have

dementia or Alzheimer’s and helping their families.

When Thomas isn’t working, she enjoys

spending time with her two daughters, Stephanie and Jillian.

First Responder Appreciation

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Tina Pinkston

Tina Pinkston has always loved being a caregiver, whether it was for her family, babysitting or even animals

“It’s just something I really enjoy,” she said, “ so I made the decision in high school that learning about the human body had to be easier than learning all about the different animals’ bodies”

Pinkston, of Farmington, received her training to become a registered nurse through Mineral Area College. She gained her BSN and MSN from Central Methodist University and also acquired her clinical nurse leader certification. She has now worked at Parkland Health Center since 2006 She started working as a medical surgical nurse and then became a charge nurse After her first son was born, Pinkston worked in Parkland’s wound clinic and became hyperbaric trained in 2015. In 2017, she moved to the role of clinical nurse educator, finished her master’s degree in nursing, and took on the task of program manager for the wound and hyperbaric center in 2021

Pinkston’s daily duties include ensuring both inpatient and outpatient wound care patients receive excellent care

“My clinic strives to stay up-to-date on the best evidence-based practices to allow quick wound healing with the best outcomes,” she said. “I’m also responsible for the reporting of clinic practices”

Even though Pinkston and her colleagues often face challenges, she loves overhearing patients in the wound clinic’s waiting room talk about the amazing care they receive.

“They talk about how amazing the care is that they receive from us and how quickly their wound started to heal once they started seeing us, ” she said “It’s also great when patients bring in family or friends because they are so pleased with the care they received”

She said, “We get to know our patients so well that they become like family to us. We are so happy to see them healed but hate to know we won’t be seeing them for visits.”

Pinkston added that nursing is such an “honorable profession”

“We are with patients when they are

vulnerable and at times helpless, and we get to be the hope they need or the smile to hopefully take some of the fear away, ” she said. “But at times it can be so challenging because you are so involved in a patient’s care that when things don’t go as planned, or patients don’t get the news they had hoped, you carry that burden with you You think about that patient a million times a day”

Pinkston recalled a special story from years ago when a new mother’s cesarean section incision line opened and she needed treatment. She experienced treatment about three times a week. Not only did the staff care for her, but they also got to snuggle with her new baby and see it grow at the same time.

“The most rewarding moments for nurses are when patients come back after

they are healed just to say ‘thank you ’ and that they appreciated everything we did for them,” said Pinkston.

When she isn’t caring for her patients, Pinkston enjoys spending time with her husband Dustin and watching their sons Corbin and Logan play the sports they love. The family also spends time together hiking, camping, fishing, riding UTVs and more.

Walt Whitman, POET & NURSE

When most people hear the name of Walt Whitman, they think of him as the famous American poet who wrote “Leaves of Grass.” However, he also served as a nurse during the American Civil War and his experiences influenced his later work as a poet

Early on in the Civil War, Whitman was working as a freelance writer and started visiting New York hospitals to interview soldiers and was profoundly affected by their suffering. He traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1862 to care for his wounded brother. It was then he became motivated to volunteer as a nurse.

At the time, there were not formal education or training requirements or standards for nurses. They learned by doing and most nurses were volunteers.

The American Association for the History of Nursing reports that he earned the trust and respect of doctors and on Jan. 1, 1863, was put in charge of a trainload of wounded soldiers who were being transferred to a hospital. He met with soldiers, acting as a scribe for their messages to families and comforting them with his calm and concern.

It was at that point he decided to stay and work in hospitals until the war was over

Whitman took a low-paying job as a clerk to provide enough money so he could volunteer at hospitals, which is where he spent almost all his free time. He would care for the wounded and the sick,bringing soldiers food and writing letters for them. He often spent what little money he had on supplies and would stay at a soldier’s side as he died.

Nursing poetry

Those experiences would influence his poetry, with nurses and their labor showing up in his writing.

In “The Wound-Dresser,” Whitman describes the work of a nurse caring for wounded soldiers and the deep emotional connection that develops:

“With hinged knees and steady hand to dress wounds,

I am firm with each,the pangs are sharp yet unavoidable, One turns to me his appealing eyes poor boy! I never knew you, Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you.”

In other writing, “Nursing the Wounded and the Dying,” he talks at length about his experience, naming names and describing what he did as a nurse. He explains how being a nurse forever changed him as a poet:

“I saw the wounded and the dead, and never forget them,

I recall the experience sweet and sad, I send my love sincerely to each and all,

For every sick and wounded soldier is dear to me as a son or brother.

Ever since have they been with me,

They have fused ever since in my poems,

They are here forever in my poems—

No poem proud, I chanting bring to thee,

But a cluster containing night’s darkness and blood-dripping wounds, And psalms of the dead.”

Whitman described his years of service as a privilege and said it was the most profound lesson of his life.

Historically,Whitman’s writings also provide insight into what the nursing profession was like during the Civil War period and what the conditions of the hospitals were. He was considered a minister of mercy and his legacy continues to inspire.

Walt Whitman Statue, 3100 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia; sculpted by Jo Davidson

NICOLINO GIOVANNUCCI

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Ragen Amelung

Ragen Amelung believes everyone has a story

“We all have something that drives us, and for me, that driver is my faith and my family,” she said.

Amelung has had a few things in her personal health history and that of her youngest daughter that have helped to strengthen her faith

Amelung uses her faith and experiences to ensure each of her patients and their families she comes in contact with feel loved, seen and heard.

“I care for every one the way I’d want one of my daughters or loved ones cared for and nothing less,” she said Amelunghasbeenanursefornearlytwo decades ShetrainedthroughMineralArea College’snursingprogram She’sworkedat ParklandHealthCenter’sOBdepartment foralittlemorethan16yearswhereshe specializesinlaboranddelivery,postpartum care,andpediatriccare.

She also worked in the same department at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center

Amelung’s day starts with a 4 a m workout because she believes her caregiving to others starts with self-care

After a 35-minute commute to work, she begins her shift at 6:30 a.m.

“I work in the labor and delivery department where I have the opportunity to not only care for mothers in and throughout their labor and delivery, but I then get to care for her in the postpartum phase, along with her newborn baby,” said Amelung “If we have a cesarean section that is scheduled or required, I accompany the mother to the OR where I scrub in and assist the physician in delivering the baby and immediately take over care of the newborn”

After a quick lunch at some point during the day, Amelung wraps up her shift around 7 p m and returns home to Ironton to her husband and best friend of 25 years, Greg. The couple have two daughters, Hannah, 22, and Ashtyn, 20.

Amelung said there are many rewards and challenges of being a nurse.

“It may sound cliché, but literally every delivery I’m a part of is a rewarding moment,” she said “To be able to be

part of such a momentous occasion in someone ’ s life and to see each new life take their first breath is something I don’t take for granted and could never fully describe.”

She said, “In my specialty, there are obviously lots of incredibly happy times, but it also comes with incredibly hard times. Whether it’s the loss of a newborn, or treating patients and their newborns struggling with our current drug abuse epidemic, it’s all hard But I’m thankful that I’m able to be present in those moments, the happy and the heartbreaking”

Amelung said when she and her team have an excellent outcome on a scary, emergent situation, her skill set “definitely makes a huge difference. ”

“I’m very grateful for those skills and outcomes,” she said “Our goal is always to have a healthy mom and healthy baby!”

She added, “I recently had a unique experience with a patient I cared for and they simply said, ‘Thank you for being my advocate.’ In that moment, I felt like I made a big difference in their life and my goal of making my patients seen, loved and heard was accomplished!”

Amelung wishes people understood how hard nurses work

“We work hard, love hard and although we did ‘sign up for it,’ we miss a lot of family functions, especially on holidays, to care for our patients,” she explained.

“I think most of us benefit from words of affirmation, so if you are ever in a position to be cared for, a kind and encouraging word is always appreciated”

Amelung has earned many accolades for her accomplishments in the nursing profession, including the DAISY Award and recognition through BJC’s iAppreciate and Shine programs.

Whensheisn’tcaringforherpatients, AmelungisdeeplyinvolvedwithMeadow HeightsChurch,theplacewhereshecredits “trulylearningtoliveandlovelikeJesus”

She enjoys spending time with her family, working out, raising Waygu-Agus cross cattle beef, binging on Netflix, listening to music, and drinking coffee.

“I don’t know who nominated me for this, but I am honored,” she said “I’m just a person who loves her calling, and I love all the OB physicians and nurses who I get to practice with at Parkland Health Center OB! We truly are a team!”