A Call to Nursing - Stories of Nurses at PBMC & WCGH

A CALL TO NURSING THE STORIES OF NURSES AT PEN BAY MEDICAL CENTER AND WALDO COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL

MISSION MaineHealth is a not-for-profit health system dedicated to i mproving the health of our patients and communities by providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow’s caregivers, and researching better ways to provide care.

VISION Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America.

VALUES

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, I am reminded every day why I consider nursing to be a calling. Our nurses want to make a difference for their patients and their communities. They want to be part of a team that is empowered to do its best every day for every patient. And they want opportunities to grow professionally. I believe that describes the nursing teams at Pen Bay Medical Center (PBMC) and Waldo County General Hospital (WCGH). I invite you to join them and make your own difference.

At PBMC and WCGH, we have the good fortune to live and work in such a beautiful area of Maine. Our hospitals are large enough to offer you a wide range of clinical opportunities using the latest technology, and additional avenues exist through our affiliation with MaineHealth, the largest hospital system in the state. At the same time, we are small enough to enjoy the small town feel of our setting and forge strong bonds within our communities.

On the following pages, we feature the stories of some of our dedicated nurses. Who better to talk about our wonderful organization than those who proudly represent their profession and exemplify everything we strive to be at MaineHealth? Of course, nurses do their best work when they can rely on the support of CNAs, surgical techs and ED techs, among others. So we’ve included their stories, too, to give you a more complete picture of how we operate as a team for the benefit of our patients. Please take this opportunity to get to know them all. I’m convinced they will inspire you.

ELLEN LEONE, RN, MSN Chief Nursing Officer Pen Bay Medical Center Waldo County General Hospital

To view our nursing opportunities, visit careersatmainehealth.org, and select PBMC or WCGH from “Our Locations.”

You will discover a complete listing of career opportunities and instruction on how to apply. We look forward to meeting you!

ERIKA BROOKS, RN

| PBMC MEDICAL SURGICAL UNIT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 4

I took the CNA course at the Mid-Coast School of Technology during my senior year of high school, and really enjoyed the part where we interacted with patients. Caring for people during their most vulnerable and difficult times is very humbling and rewarding.

I’ve been working as a nurse now for some time, and it’s still rewarding. Whether it is assessing patients, going over their histories or evaluating their treatment plans, my leaders give me the space and resources to do my best for my patients. At the end of the day, that leaves me feeling like I made a difference. That’s what makes PBMC so special.

MY LEADERS GIVE ME THE SPACE AND RESOURCES TO DO MY BEST FOR MY PATIENTS.

I HAVE A TRUE WORK FAMILY AMONG MY COWORKERS. WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER, LAUGH TOGETHER, CRY TOGETHER, AND GENUINELY CARE ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.

KRYSTAL BROUTY, RN

| WCGH OB/GYN LABOR & DELIVERY | YEARS OF SERVICE: 13

When I was in high school, my guidance counselor knew I wanted to be a nurse and set up a mentorship program for me at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. Every other day at lunchtime, I would leave school and go spend hours in the emergency department, operating room or radiology. This amazing experience strengthened my desire to work in health care.

These days I live in Ellsworth and drive one hour to work at WCGH. In some parts of the country that might be considered a short commute, but here in Maine it’s considered pretty long. Over the years, people have asked me why I drive that far for work. Surely I could find a job closer to where I live. My answer is always the same: “Because it’s worth the drive.” I have a true work family among my coworkers. We support each other, laugh together, cry together, and genuinely care about one another. Certainly, there are practical reasons that set WCGH apart, like opportunities for growth and encouragement to advance up the clinical ladder. But in the end, for me, it’s about the great people I work with.

JOHN EASTHAM, RN

| WCGH SURGERY | YEARS OF SERVICE: 8

I can still see in my mind the operating room at the Maine VA Medical Center; I was in my second semester clinical and it was my turn to rotate to the OR. Up until then, I had a positive feeling about nursing in general. That day confirmed that my personal path led to the operating room.

I try to bring an upbeat attitude into my work environment; I know I need to be my best every day to meet my patients’ needs. We may be a small hospital, but the pace can be as fast as any place. As a team, I think everyone here works really well together to make sure that patients are cared for as people and not as numbers.

AS A TEAM, I THINK EVERYONE HERE WORKS REALLY WELL TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT PATIENTS ARE CARED FOR AS PEOPLE AND NOT AS NUMBERS.

I THINK THE HOSPITAL DRAWS BOTH NURSES AND PROVIDERS HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY ON THE BEAUTIFUL COAST OF MAINE AND AT THE SAME TIME GROW THEIR CLINICAL SKILLS.

KATIE HOLM, RN

| PBMC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 7

When I was growing up, my mom was a nurse at PBMC, and I would often accompany her to staff meetings or other work-related functions. She loved being a nurse and it showed. That was a big influence on me.

PBMC is very much a community-based hospital sandwiched between two large hospitals in Portland and Bangor. However, that doesn’t stop us from being up to date on best practices. I think the hospital draws both nurses and providers here because they want to live in a small community on the beautiful coast of Maine and at the same time grow their clinical skills.

But the number one reason I love working here is the people. It’s a small enough hospital that you usually know the person on the other end of the phone, and it’s easy to build trust and relationships. I like that.

DIANE HYNES, RN

| PBMC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 45

Ever since I was 3 years old, I have only wanted to be one thing — a nurse. And that’s what I’ve been for 45 years. What has made that time so special is the autonomy, skills and resources that my managers have given me over the years. That and feeling appreciated by the organization for the important work that I and all the nurses here do.

I know most of my patients at some level. I have seen them in tragedy and triumph, and I value helping them through it all. In that sense, my role as a nurse at PBMC has made me feel more connected to my community.

I’VE BEEN HERE FOR 45 YEARS. WHAT HAS MADE THAT TIME SO SPECIAL IS THE AUTONOMY, SKILLS AND RESOURCES THAT MY MANAGERS HAVE GIVEN ME.

IF CONNECTING TO THE PATIENTS YOU’RE CARING FOR IS IMPORTANT, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.

MAUREEN MORSE, RN

| WCGH ONCOLOGY | YEARS OF SERVICE: 5

I entered the nursing profession late. I spent the early part of my adult life raising my children, and that was incredibly fulfilling. But as they grew older and more independent, I needed something more. I found it in nursing school and as a nurse at WCGH. I had been caring for my children for years, and it was a very natural transition to care for patients.

What makes working here so fulfilling is that, with encouragement of my managers and my colleagues, I am able to do my best every day to care for my patients. I have the time and space to connect with them and learn their story. I think working at a small hospital gives me that opportunity. If connecting to the patients you’re caring for is important, then this is the place for you.

CARLA PEARSON, RN

| PBMC SPECIAL CARE UNIT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 5

When I was in business school, I was a student athletic trainer for my work-study job.

Most of my co-workers were in the nursing program, and I would help them study. I thought, ‘The things they are learning are WAY more interesting and exciting than what I am learning.’ Eventually I made the decision to finish out my business degree and then go back to school for my nursing degree.

When I first arrived at PBMC, I was very thankful for the nurse-to-patient ratios and the fact that EVERY room at PBMC was a single room. It got even better when I discovered that our leaders encourage us to pursue clinical ladder opportunities, advancement within the organization and professional development supported by tuition reimbursement. Oh, and we have CNAs!

OUR LEADERS ENCOURAGE US TO PURSUE CLINICAL LEADER OPPORTUNITIES, ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTED BY TUITION REIMBURSEMENT.

I HELPED ESTABLISH POLICIES THAT CALL FOR CARE TEAMS TO IDENTIFY AND ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN WITH MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ... IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO IT.

JORDAN RAY, RN, BSN, CLC, C-MMH

| WCGH OB/GYN LABOR & DELIVERY | YEARS OF SERVICE: 8

When I was a child, I wrote a book in school called, “My Jolly Life.” In it, I asked, “When you grow up, what do you want to be and why?” My 12-year-old self wrote, “When I grow up I want to be a baby nurse because I like babies and I know I won’t drop them.” I brought the book to my interview when I applied to work as an RN in the obstetrics unit at WCGH, and the rest is history, as they say.

The culture at WCGH, and throughout MaineHealth, encourages me to make a real difference for my patients. For example, after I gave birth to my daughter Gracelyn three years ago, I suffered from severe postpartum depression. I utilized the few resources we had setup for this but recognized a gap in our care. When I returned to work three months later, I made it my mission to close the gap. First, I started a regional postpartum support group at both PBMC and WCGH. After that, I helped establish policies that call for care teams to identify and advocate for women with maternal mental health issues. As a result, today when a woman comes to any hospital in the MaineHealth system for her first prenatal visit, she is screened for signs of any maternal mental health risk factors, and resources are put in place as necessary. If you want to make a difference, this is the place to do it.

DANIELLE YORK, RN

| PBMC CANCER CARE UNIT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 13

I was born at Pen Bay Medical Center, and I grew up in this community. There is a great pace of life here. As a mother of two small children, I value a clinical schedule that promotes a wonderful work/life balance. But it’s more than that. I love that we get to know our patients as people, not diagnoses. It’s personally and professionally satisfying that we make a difference every day by providing patients with health care that they would otherwise have to travel some distance to receive. Every time a patient or family member says thank you, I know I made the right choice when I joined PBMC.

EVERY TIME A PATIENT OR FAMILY MEMBER SAYS THANK YOU, I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE WHEN I JOINED PBMC.

WHAT ALLOWS ME TO DO MY BEST WORK EVERY DAY IS THE SENSE OF FAMILY IN OUR DEPARTMENT. WE ARE A CLOSE GROUP. WE SUPPORT AND HELP EACH OTHER.

JAMIE BOWEN, CST

| PBMC OPERATING ROOM | YEARS OF SERVICE: 15

I developed a true interest in medicine after a close family member was in a horrific car accident. That family member wasn’t expected to survive, but years later he is alive and well. Medicine is truly miraculous.

As a Surgical Technologist, I have the responsibility of making sure I have the equipment I need to ensure my patients have the absolute best care that they can receive in the Operating Room. What allows me to do my best work every day is the sense of family in our department. We are a close group. We support and help each other. We all have the same goal — caring for our patients. Giving them the care that they deserve. I believe that is exactly what we do, here at Pen Bay Medical Center. We are for the patient.

ANDREA CARR, CST

| PBMC OPERATING ROOM | YEARS OF SERVICE: 3

I never had one defining moment that made me want to work in healthcare. I have always loved going to the doctor’s office and watching medical shows. I knew that I too wanted to help people feel better and I didn’t care where in the field I went, as long as I had a hand in helping.

Surgical technologists are the silent and most forgotten people of someone’s experience in the operating room, but we make a difference in a patient’s life by making sure that their care team has the appropriate equipment and that it is sterile.

At PBMC, I have an opportunity to do my best every day thanks to my managers and co-workers. We have an unbelievably strong team and a lot of trust. Because we have that bond, each of us can advocate for the patients to make sure that they are given the absolute best care from the moment they walk in our doors. My voice is heard, and like everyone on the team, I can bring my ideas to the table.

If you want to work in a place where you feel like your work is also your family, this is the place to be. You will have a closer sense of what it means to be a part of a community. We look out for one another. After being here for three years, I have NEVER regretted my decision to join PBMC.

AT PBMC, I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO MY BEST EVERY DAY THANKS TO MY MANAGERS AND CO-WORKERS. AFTER BEING HERE FOR THREE YEARS, I HAVE NEVER REGRETTED MY DECISION TO JOIN PBMC.

IF YOU LOVE TEAMWORK, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.

DEBORAH POST, CNA

| PBMC MEDICAL SURGICAL UNIT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 2

I honestly did not know if I was going to love being a CNA, but when I saw how appreciative patients were of my efforts, I knew I was making a difference.

I love working at PBMC MedSurg because of how we work as a team. When something needs to get done, it gets done — whether it’s by a nurse, a CNA or both of us working together. This spirit allows me to do my best every day. If you love teamwork, this is the place for you.

JULIO SANTANA, CNA

| WCGH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT | YEARS OF SERVICE: 6

I show up to work early every day. Showing up early isn’t as big a deal as what I do with the time. My pre-shift routine is to read the bible and pray for positive things over my shift, employees, patients and myself. Without a doubt, any good people see in me as a person, caregiver and co-worker is directly related to how I prepare for my shift.

Having the opportunity to help people is the number one reason why I am in the health care field. Additionally, working with such a top-notch group of colleagues is hard to beat.

MaineHealth is just an overall great place to work. If you want to join a group of people who care about their team and enjoy the work that they do, then this is the place for you.

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR TEAM AND ENJOY THE WORK THAT THEY DO, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU.

TO DISCOVER OUR NURSING OPPORTUNITIES, VISIT CAREERSATMAINEHEALTH.ORG AND SELECT PBMC OR WCGH FROM “OUR LOCATIONS.”