Our Pathway to Excellence

OUR

pathway

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excellence March • April • May 2015

Compiled by | Jacqulyn Wehrli, BSN, RN, GRN Contact | Jacqulyn Wehrli, BSN, RN, GRN P 308.630.1450 E Jacqulyn.Wehrli@rwhs.org 4021 Avenue B Scottsbluff NE 69361

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Table of Contents A Note e Frrom the Editor

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2015 Nursing Award Winners .

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Jacqulyn Wehrli Jacqulyn Wehrli, BSN, RN, GRN Survey Preparedness/Magnet Coordinator

Back to Bedside Nursing Why did I become a nurse? Why did you become a nurse?

The bottom line is that we all understand being a bedside nurse requires that genetic component of selfless acts and compassion. Each of us has a story of that “ah-ha” moment as to why we went into nursing. We see that there are many programs of going on in nursing and the glamourous opportunities of obtaining further education. Do not get me wrong; going on in education is wonderful. It promotes a sense of pride and it benefits our patients in the long run. Let us not forget, though, why we go into nursing and how we have that opportunity to spend moments at the bedside and make a difference. That is why I would like to share with you why I became a bedside nurse and stories of how it influenced me – because I feel that stories are the best way to communicate, so here it goes.

When I was 16 years old, I was working in the fast food industry and knew that it was time to get a job more suitable for myself as I was of age to drive. My mother is a RN and one day I asked her, “Mom, I am sick of working fast food and want a new job – do you have any ideas?”

She proceeded to suggest, “Why not become a nursing assistant?”

Me: “What is a nursing assistant?”

Mom: “They take vital signs for patients, help answer call lights, and they empty bed pans – kind of like a candy striper – which is what I did in high school. Except you would get paid and I did volunteer work.”

Okay, so I am the oldest of four children and had plenty of experience in helping babysit. I thought, “piece of cake” and that I could do it. Needless to say, long story short, I ended up going on in school and found my niche in bedside nursing...

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which has been a journey from a nursing assistant up until now. My greatest “ah-ha” moments came from some of the simplest forms and acts of service. Things like pulling up a chair and listening to that lonely patient or giving the patient a back rub that not only helps with body aches but soothes their soul because of the act of service provided.

Bedside nursing – what does that mean to you? I remember working the night shift and taking into account that each person has their own unique routine to going to sleep at night. That meant each patient had different expectations of how to prepare to go to sleep. When I would start my shift, I remember asking my patients three questions while doing introductions and performing my assessments. They were the following: 1.) Do you sleep with the TV on or off?

2.) Do you sleep with socks on or off?

3.) Do you sleep with a fan?

Yes, these may sound like very weird questions, but after watching patients sleep night in and night out I was noticing very distinct patterns – people had a set routine at home and expected that to be the same while recovering in the hospital.

So if that means keep the TV on or off, taking their socks on or off, or providing them with a fan to help sleep well, than why not do it? With that I would write down on their white board their preferences so that it was communicated to the next night shift nurse how to help them sleep better. That is bedside nursing to me.

What about the rest of you? What is bedside nursing to you? I would love to hear back from the staff and see what each one does to give to their patients. Feel free to write stories and send them to me via email at Jacqulyn.Wehrli@rwhs.org or via intraoffice mail to “Jackie Wehrli.”

Respectfully,

Jacqulyn Wehrli

Have you ever ridden a tandem bicycle? Kinda tricky and a lot of fun! Tandem riding is a perfect example of working as a team. Each rider has specific responsibilities and, if they fulfill those responsibilities, the ride is smooth and safe. If they don’t fulfill their responsibilities, the bike is unstable and it’s not much fun – it can even be frightening!

Susan Backer SUSAN BACKER, MSN, APRN-CNS, ACNS-BC Patient Safety Officer/Clinical Nurse Specialist

There are two positions on a tandem bicycle – the front rider, called the “Captain”; and the rear rider, called the “Stoker.” Each position has its own responsibilities.

Captain The front person is the “Captain.” Other names for the Captain are “pilot” and “steersman.” The captain has two major responsibilities: 1. To control the bike, including balancing it, whether stopped or in motion, as well as steering, shifting, and braking.

2. To keep the stoker happy! A tandem isn’t a tandem without a stoker. The captain must earn the stoker’s confidence, must stop when the stoker wants to stop, and must slow down when the stoker wants to slow down.

The captain should be an experienced cyclist, with good bike-handling skills and good judgment. In the case of a beginning team, the captain will need to use a bit more upper-body strength than is needed for a single bike. As the team learns to work together, this will become less important.

Since the stoker cannot see the road directly ahead, the captain has a special responsibility to warn of bumps in the road, so that the stoker can brace for them. The captain should also warn the stoker of

shifts, especially shifts to a lower gear which may cause the stoker to lose balance if they come without warning (very experienced teams eventually get past the need to call out most shifts, as they learn each other’s styles).

When a couple fails to make it as a tandem team, it is almost always due to either the stoker being scared as a result of an incompetent/inconsiderate captain, or due to saddle soreness.

Stoker The rear rider is commonly known as the “Stoker.”

Other names for the rear rider include “navigator,” “tailgunner,” and “rear admiral” or “R.A.” The rear rider is not a “passenger,” but is an equal participant. The stoker also has two main responsibilities: 1. The stoker serves mainly as a motor. Since the stoker is not called upon to control the bike, this rider should be able to actually generate more power than the same rider would on a single bike. Depending on the strength and endurance of the stoker, this may take the form of a steady output or may be held in reserve. If the stoker is acting as a “reserve,” it is okay to take it easy for general cruising, so long as the stoker can help out with a burst of power for the climbs. Since starting up on a tandem is a bit trickier than on a single, the stoker should apply as much smooth power as possible when starting up, to get the bike up to maneuvering speed quickly.

2. The stoker’s other major responsibility is a negative one: The stoker must not attempt to steer!

Unpredictable weight shifts on the part of the stoker can make the captain’s job much harder, and can lead to crashes, in extreme cases. The stoker should (continued on page 8)

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Nicholas Singer has passed his Critical Care RN certification. He currently works night shift and is a great asset to the ICU/PCU team! Congrats, Nick!

Why did you become a nurse?

I became a nurse because I wanted to have meaningful interactions with the community and become a force for creating positive changes in people’s lives. I also really enjoy learning about advances in medical science and science in general.

Nicholas Singer, are your hobbies?

RN, CCRN What I like to hike and do things outdoors. I also like to play

ICU guitar and play tennis when I can find the time. Mostly,

I just like to spend time with my fianceé, Lindsey, and my family.

Why did you decide to go on for your certification?

I decided that I wanted my CCRN first because I feel

that critical care is my main area of interest. As an RN, I never really had any desire to work in a different specialty. Also, I got my certification as a prerequisite for nursing anesthesia school, which I plan to apply to in the future.

What is your background?

Before becoming a nurse, I was an English major, but decided that I would rather work in the medical field rather than education. I started out working as a rehab tech at Craig Hospital in Denver. I became passionate about critical care nursing, and nursing in the ICU specifically, very shortly after becoming involved in the medical field.

Ellen Otto graduated in December 2014 with her MSN degree. She is continuing on with her education.

Congrats, Ellen!

Why did you become a nurse?

I actually was a computer science major with a part-time job as a unit secretary in a small South Dakota hospital.

Part of my job was to be a recorder during codes in the ER. I was fascinated with the staff’s ability to handle drama during a code one minute and then joke with a Ellen Otto, MSN, RN different patient the next moment. It really amazed me what the human body can go through and still come Interventional Radiology through. This experience, combined with a roommate in nursing, caused me to change to the nursing profession.

What are your hobbies?

I like to make things; except food. I’d rather someone else make that. I would like to learn more carpentry skills and read more books in my future spare time.

Why did you decide to go on for your master’s degree? I enjoy learning and challenging myself. There

is always something more we can learn about the human body and how we can better care for our patients. I believe that in health care, if we don’t challenge ourselves we can become dangerously complacent.

What is your background?

The associate nursing school I attended required that you took the LPN licensure in order to continue onto your RN. Since I had the license, I worked as an LPN on a surgical/urology floor for a year while completing my RN degree. When I graduated with my RN degree, I was a new grad in the ICU in Sioux City, Iowa for two years prior to moving to Wyoming and starting at Regional West Medical Center. I have worked in ICU for eight years, the ER for two years, and Interventional Radiology for three years now. I have also taught clinicals in the past for UNMC.

Amanda Lashley is a flight nurse for Air Link. She recently achieved her CFRN and already has her CEN, which means she has dual certifications. Congrats, Amanda!

Why did you become a nurse?

My mother was a nurse, so I was exposed to health care from an early age. Growing up, I had always wanted to go into medicine, but growing up on the ranch had me leaning towards working with animals. I initially received my degree as a veterinary technologist and Amanda Lashley, spent several years working in that field. It was exciting, RN, CEN, CFRN challenging, and fun. Eventually though, I realized that I still wanted to get into “human” medicine, so I decided Air Link to go back to school. I had signed up for a CNA class, but my mother pushed me to apply for the BSN program at UNMC, and it was one of the best decisions that I have made in my professional life.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, cooking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and running. I really love anything that gets me out of the house and into the sunshine.

Why did you decide to go on for your certification?

I’ve always believed that every day holds a new

opportunity for growth and learning, especially in a professional capacity. I believe that obtaining and maintaining certification in your chosen specialty is an important aspect of that professional growth. It shows a commitment to excellence. It also shows a commitment to the patients who we care for. This commitment is to provide a high standard of excellent, compassionate care. Obtaining a certification is not just taking a test, but a journey of learning, professional growth, and personal growth.

What is your background?

I received my BSN from UNMC in 2007 and began my nursing career in Regional West’s Emergency Department. While there, I received my Emergency Nurse certification and worked in the SANE program. I was also a CRN in the ER and still help with orientation of new hospital employees. In 2013, I transferred to Air Link to begin a new chapter of my nursing career and professional development.

Chase Engel has been certified as a Critical Care RN. He currently works night shift and is a great asset to the ICU/PCU team! Congrats, Chase!

Why did you become a nurse?

I had many family members who have had successful careers in nursing and I looked forward to being able to help people.

What are your hobbies?

Hunting, fishing, and working outside.

Chase Engel, RN, CCRN Why did you decide to go on for your certification?

ICU Originally I did because it was a requirement of my new

CRN position, however, once I began to study I realized it is a great way to validate your practice.

What is your background?

I grew up on a farm and after high school obtained a degree in Biochemistry at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo. After doing research in a lab at KUMED I realized I wasn’t cut out for a job that had little social connection so I completed a one-year accelerated nursing program at UNMC and the rest is history.

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Matthew Schneider has passed his Critical Care RN certification. He currently works night shift, soon to be transitioning to day shift, and is a great asset to the ICU/PCU team! Congrats, Matt!

Matthew Schneider RN, CCRN, ICU

Why did you become a nurse?

My family owns a nursing home, so I’ve grown up around health care and have always known I would want to continue in health care. I went into nursing school with the intent of eventually becoming a nurse practitioner, after being influenced greatly by my mentor through high school who was a PA in our small-town critical access hospital and clinic.

be as good of time as any to study and take the exam. I believe it enables us to be better critical care providers and gives us the framework for continued improvement (not to mention the accountability for increasing continued education). And I believe the number of CCRNs we have in the ICU here at Regional West demonstrates the strength of our unit and is something for our unit and medical center to take pride in.

What are your hobbies?

I am typically up for whatever the day presents or activities that others would like to get together and do. Specifically, I enjoy endurance sports (i.e., running and cycling), outdoors activities (i.e., camping, fishing, hunting, shooting, skiing, hiking), and working with my German shorthaired pointer, Gabe.

What is your background?

I am from Nebraska City. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science at Wayne State College and then went into nursing school at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. After receiving my ADN, my wife Meghan and I moved to Scottsbluff where she had accepted a job as a Spanish teacher at Scottsbluff High School and I was beginning a job in the ICU at Regional West Medical Center. I continued my education and earned my BSN through UNMC while working here, and am now enrolled in the Family NP program at UNMC.

Why did you decide to go on for your certification?

I have typically always been motivated to seek out the best offered in terms of education, certification, etc. My friend/coworker was signing up to take the CCRN to help with CRNA applications, so I decided this would

Safety Sense (continued from page 5) keep in line with the centerline of the bicycle, and lean with it as it leans through corners. A stoker must shift position on the saddle, adjust a toe strap, or take a drink without disturbing the equilibrium of the bicycle. These activities should not be attempted at all while the captain is dealing with tricky traffic situations or narrow spaces.

What does this have to do with safety? Well, I’m going to tell you…. Think about the captain and stoker in terms of the teams you and I work with every day. Somebody is the captain – the lead person – and others are the “stokers” – the power of the team. Each team member has a specific role to play. Each team member has differing strengths and abilities.

The stoker can also do a bit of back rubbing now and then, as well as taking photographs, singing encouraging songs, reading maps, etc.

The captain, or team leader, has to gain the trust of the stokers, or team members, in order to produce quality work. Stokers (team members) learn to trust based on how the captain acts, how he or she performs, and how they are treated. In order to build trust, the captain must communicate clear expectations, directions, and plan.

He or she must be consistent, fair, and honest. They must listen to team members, treating them with respect. If the team members do not trust the captain, then they will not perform their best and pull together at the captain’s (leader’s) direction.

So, why ride a tandem? Well, a tandem allows two cyclists of differing strengths and abilities to ride together, pleasurably. The faster rider doesn’t need to wait for the slower one; the slower rider doesn’t need to struggle to try to keep up with the faster rider.

What happens to the quality of the work if that happens?

Kim Meininger

The stoker, in turn, must be ready to put his or her full efforts into the work at hand. If the stokers (team members) do their own thing rather than working in the direction the captain provides, then nothing gets done! The work becomes disjointed, inefficient, and ineffective. In other words, you get nowhere fast.

Think about the captain and the stoker. What role do you play on your team? If you’re the captain, do your ‘stokers’ trust you? Are you considerate and consistent? Do you listen to their ideas and concerns? Do you clearly communicate the plan so the ‘stokers’ know where to focus their energy and power? If you’re a stoker, do you allow the captain to lead and not try to ‘steer the bike,’ so to speak? Do you listen to direction and then put your whole power and strength into the work? Do you make it easy or hard for the captain to balance and steer the bike?

Kim Meininger, BSN, RN Nurse Education Coordinator

Nurse Residency and Clinical Coach Programs The Nurse Residency class that started in October 2014 is coming to a close. Their final date for residency is May 6. A reception will be provided for them in the Education Center, along with the other Nurses Day activities.

Congratulations to the 11th residency class of Regional West Medical Center!

Yes, working in teams is very similar to riding a tandem bicycle. With clear communication and listening skills, respectful behavior, and caring teammates, a tandem team can ride strong and safe, making for a very fun ride!

This was the first year we have implemented the National Council of State Board of Nursing curriculum. The curriculum included modules related to:

Between the captain and the stoker (leader and team members), one is not more important than the other. They must learn to work together so they don’t have an adverse outcome – like crashing or harming a patient or a team member. If we learn to work effectively together as a team we can decrease errors, increase efficiency, and increase quality – what does that mean for the safety of the patient?

2. Quality improvement

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

Our last class was presented by Linda Fowler, BSN, RN, on the topic of moral distress. ‘Moral distress occurs when an individual’s moral integrity is compromised, either because one feels unable to act in accordance with core

--Henry Ford

1. Patient centered care

3. Evidenced-based practice 4. Conflict management 5. Delegation and supervision 6. Professional development

values or attempted actions fail to achieve the desired outcome.’ (Hamric, December 2014) The American Association of Critical Care Nurses has published information on how to rise above moral distress and assist nurses in how they can achieve and make optimal contributions to patients and their families. ‘In these situations you may know the ethically appropriate action to take, but you are unable to act upon it, or the actions and decisions made are contrary to your personal and professional values.’ (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, (AACN), 2005) This can lead to compassion fatigue and nursing burnout. The nurse residents discussed moral dilemmas that they have faced and discussed strategies in how to decrease their emotional, physical, and/or spiritual distress symptoms.

As one residency class comes to an end, another class began in March. We have seven new graduate nurses in this residency class: Alison Poppe, Adena Hagen, Michele Hedrick, Rebecca Wynne, Myrranda Kelly, Mackinsey Skidmore, and Kailyn Schukei. This class meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, and will continue through August 20.

Please welcome these new graduate nurses to our facility!

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& Coffee March 24 During this discussion time, we were updated that the new software, ANSOS, will allow for block scheduling and even options with selfscheduling. The capabilities of this software include utilizing staffing Attending: Ramona Giles, Amber Fulk, Kim Smith, models, acuity, and Connie Morrill, Shirley Knodel, and Michelle O’Bryan. cost-effectiveness.

Annette Reichert is our new staffing effectiveness project manager and has been working on this software. She has been building staffing models/acuity and actively working as the workforce manager. She will also be looking at staffing in terms of CNAs and students working while going to school. Employees had also brought up those applications such as SWANK, self-service (view paystub), email, and web-scheduler that are unable to be accessed from home computers.

If an employee would like to access these functions, the help desk has to load JUNIPER on to your computer/device for this to happen.

As we remodel and change the environment of the patient rooms, the nurses voiced that we may need more bariatric beds and lifts to meet the needs of our patient population. Sit-to-stand lifts are available on certain patient floors to help with patient care. The nursing staff has a lot of great ideas to help utilize the space on the patient floors as the rooms undergo redesign that will help them function productively while providing bedside care. It was mentioned the need for a ceiling lift on 4th floor. On 2 East, it was mentioned to add a shower with the renovations as well as adding an ice machine to the traction room.

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April 28 Coffee with Shirley had lots of updates for the nursing staff. During this time, Shirley was able to let everyone know that they would be meeting with the board to discuss the first quarter’s productivity and the approval of raises. This was exciting news because the staff has all been working hard. We have worked hard and continue to work hard because we have ongoing goals and visions here at Regional West to provide efficient and safe patient care.

Other big news is that Nurses Week is coming up and we plan on celebrating by providing ice cream brownie sundaes to all staff to show our appreciation.

The night shift will be provided pizzas from the nursing leadership team the night of May 6 to celebrate as well. Another wonderful community event is the documentary, “The American Nurse” that is being hosted at the Carmike Theater in order to celebrate the profession of nursing and hopefully reach out to recruite future nurses who will want to work and make a difference in our community.

As for recruitment and retention, there was discussion on bringing in more nurses as well as providers to Regional West. Regional West has been looking at recruiting more providers and in areas such as Orthopedics, Urology, and Hospitalist Medicine. The physician recruitment staff continues to work well in bringing talent to our organization. The nurse recruitment staff has been creating new opportunities for new graduates to come and be a part of the organization as well.

Shared Governance Update

Coordinating Council John Mentgen attended Coordinating Council in March and had another Q&A session with the members. During April, Dr. Morgan attended and did a thorough presentation on High Reliability Organizations. He discussed what this means and what we need to do to meet these standards.

All members of Shared Governance were invited and it was well attended as well as very informative.

The survey for Pathways to Excellence was posted from April 23 to May 22 for the RNs and LPNs of Regional West Medical Center to complete. Jackie, Shirley, Cindy McCabe, Kim Smith, and Rebecca Montanez attended the Pathway to Excellence national conference in Louisville, Ky. during the month of May. Quality & Safety Council We finalized our Health Care Worker Fatigue PowerPoint, created a test, and have begun working on the ENAF for Education. As a committee, we met with Shirley and Rick Tolson from HR to have them review the PowerPoint. After meeting with Shirley and Rick, we finalized the Health Care Workers Fatigue PowerPoint presentation. We presented this data and information at the nursing leadership meeting in April, which was well received. During the month of May we will decide the best way to have this information disseminated to the staff; whether it be through staff meetings or as a SWANK education module.

took all of the nursing nominations and voted for the top nursing candidates for each award that was anonymously provided. The council chose winners for the six RN categories, one LPN award, and a Friend of Nursing Award.

The awards were presented during Nurses Week and were recognized during the Nurses Day celebration.

The next process that the council is working on is drafting changes within the nursing dress code to meet the changes that will be implemented as of August 1 for Regional West Medical Center’s nursing staff.

Care & Practice Council We have been working with the IS Department and Connie Rupp on the documentation of intake and output (I&O). The I&O option in care manager is being addressed and we are double checking that all topics are covered in education/ testing for the direct care nursing staff.

During the months of March and April, we have started writing the charter for staffing committee.

Nurse/Finance Council Talked about the bins at the time clock and emptying your pockets before you leave. We are looking at putting a bin by the time clocks on each unit. We are working on education regarding the change from disposable blood pressure cuffs to re-usable cuffs. During the transition, we have seen cuffs either being lost or thrown away, which is decreasing the cost savings that had been anticipated.

Professional Practice Council The “Magnetic Times” was changed to “Our Pathway to Excellence” during the month of March. In April, the council

Intellectual Nourishment

Watch W t h your thoughts; th ht th they b become words. d W Watch t h your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

--Lao-Tze 11

National Nurses Week May 6-12

2015 Nursing Award Winners Friend of Nursing Becky Nerud Administrative Assistant Nursing Ser vices Administration

“Becky is an “all-around” gem of a person.

I think the hospital would fall apart if she was not here. For one of my committees, we reviewed a policy for six to eight hours. All of the changes for this policy needed retyped and placed into the policy in the correct areas before being submitted to Shirley Knodel to review. Normally the chair of this committee does this. As I am not totally computer savvy, I emailed some questions to her about this huge policy and all the corrections that needed done. Becky said “I can do that for you.” By her doing the revisions, she saved both me and the

New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Kara Plett, RN, 3rd floor

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hospital a ton of time and money as it would have taken me a considerably longer time to make all of the wording and punctuation changes to this extremely long policy. Becky did it quickly and efficiently so I could take it back to my committee to review. We only found one or two small mistakes that needed redone, when if it had been me, I’m sure there would have been numerous things I would have needed to retype.

Becky is on top of everything. She knows everyone’s schedule so if we have questions while in one of our meetings, she can tell us quickly if a certain person will be available. I can’t say enough about her and all she does for this hospital. I wish I had more examples to give to you about all that she does for us.”

“I believe Becky Nerud exemplifies what it means to be a friend of nursing. Becky started supporting the nursing division over 30 years

“Kara Plett practices nursing on the Medical/ Oncology unit. She is the chair of the Medical/ Oncology Unit Practice Council (UPC). As a nurse on the unit and chair of the UPC, Kara saw a need to develop an acuity scale in order to divide nurse assignments more equitable, staff for acuity, and reflect the difficulty of the patient care requirements. Kara utilized evidence-based acuity scales, along with exploring additional acuity scales within

ago when she took a job as a unit secretary and has worked her way up through the organization to offer dedicated support to the Chief Nursing Officer. Becky spends most of her time coordinating meetings for the nursing division and attending meetings to record the minutes so items can be organized and easily tracked. With the high level of support that she provides to the nursing leaders and staff, they can focus their attention on other matters, making them more efficient. Her experience and knowledge of the organization make her a great resource. She is always willing to help and conducts herself in a friendly, professional manner.

I would like to honor Becky’s contributions to the nursing division and the organization by nominating her for the Friend of Nursing award.”

area hospitals. Kara has enlisted the help of additional nurses’ concerns in order to truly create a tool to reflect the nurse assignment.

The implementation of the acuity scale was slow to start, but with persistence and some additional education, the acuity scale is being utilized. The use of an acuity scale will soon be utilized to determine the true reflection of patient load in the nurse scheduling system.

Thanks Kara!”

Outstanding LPN Sharon Jurado, LPN, 2 West

“Sharon Jurado is an amazing LPN. Her teamwork and dedication is phenomenal!

Sharon just recently got transferred from 2E nights to 2W afternoons. I haven’t heard her complain once; she has embraced the change and has stated she is quite thankful for it.

Having Sharon on 2W has been great; she gives such great patient care. She truly has a passion for nursing and shows it every day in the care that she gives her patients. She always has a smile on her face and is the most patient and kind-hearted person I know.

Sharon always has the patient’s best interest at heart. She does an exceptional job of keeping her RN updated of any changes throughout the shift and is always asking questions and staying informed. Patient assignments don’t stop her; if she is caught up she is great about seeking out the opportunity to assist others.

Sharon Jurado is a remarkable LPN. She is compassionate, respectful, empathetic, and most of all hard working and loving. Sharon is doing great things for nursing; she brings a lot to the table. I look forward to what she has to offer 2W.” “Sharon goes above and beyond to assist the RNs on the floor. She works hard to identify the preferences of each RN and accommodate them as she works. She always gives an extra hand even when not asked. She comes in to help out extra.

needs or concerns that I may have.

Empirical Outcomes Tara Shallenberger, RN, 2 West

“Tara Shallenberger is an amazing RN, charge nurse, and mentor for 2 West. She has served as my mentor the past few years and has taught me a lot. Tara takes it upon herself to stay connected with the staff and maintain open communication. I have always felt very comfortable going to her with any questions/

Just recently I ran across a rare happening and was unsure how to go about a piece of the charting and the current charge nurse was unsure as well. This happened on a weekend that Tara happened to have off. I knew without a doubt that if Tara was available, she would walk me through it; which she did. She has made herself available as a mentor to me as a new employee, new graduate, and scared nurse beginning her career the past few years.

Tara has stayed late to make sure her staff is caught up and is always willing to lend a helping hand when we get behind or need

She does an excellent job orientating new employees and getting them ready for the challenges that come with working in a hospital environment. She continues to support new staff after they are off orientation and working the floor.

She also supports the RN staff. She is a pillar of expertise and knowledge for new RNs to go to for assistance. She provides a listening ear when coworkers need advice about work relationships or how to handle situations both patient care driven and interpersonal. She always encourages staff to communicate with each other in any situation.

She is an example of what teamwork should be and how to provide excellent patient care.”

a second set of eyes. She is always keeping us updated when something changes and is always open minded when it comes to my numerous questions. Tara is very detail oriented and makes sure everything is in the right place; she often catches things that have been missed for various lengths of time. She is always making great suggestions and always has the patient’s best interest at heart.

It is a great feeling to know I have such a great mentor on my side to help lead the way to great patient care. I cannot thank Tara enough for helping shape me in recent years. I look forward to many more years to come.”

National Nurses Week May 6-12

2015 Nursing Award Winners Exemplary Professional Practice Colynn Beaver, RN Float Pool/House Super visor

Friend of Nursing Margaret Clark Social Worker, 2 West

“Marg is the social worker for 2 West. We would be totally lost on our floor if we did not have her. She is a great patient advocate and always does the best for our patients, getting them where they need to go, with what they need. She is on top of what the nurses need from the doctors and will frequently contact them to do what’s best for our patients. Marg is also a tremendous asset to the nursing staff.

She pushes us to do what we need to for our patients, including making sure everything

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“Colynn is an exceptional nurse. She can work anywhere in the hospital, and I mean anywhere...from PCU, to Peds, to Med-Surg units. She is proficient wherever she works.

She also is a backup house supervisor and is a tremendous help when she is in that role. One weekend when we were running around extremely busy, we had a direct admit fractured hip. Of course within 15 to 30 minutes of the patient arriving to the orthopaedic floor, surgery was calling wanting

the patient. Colynn came to the floor, started an IV on the patient, did the pre-op things needed, and took the patient to surgery for us.

She is incredible…..she is outspoken and says exactly what she thinks and will tell you what needs done. She has so much knowledge and is so helpful with everything. You can put her anywhere in the hospital and she is proficient.

She works hard every day and is a tremendous asset to the hospital.”

is set up for the patients, making sure the nurses have our ducks in a row with patient transfers, setting up home health, etc. If we have early patient transfers before she is due to arrive, she calls the floor to make sure we have everything ready to go and making sure everything goes smoothly. Also, every evening, she leaves a unit summary for the CRNs and RNs, which includes each patient she is seeing and the plan for that patient. Marg is just the best social worker we could ask for…wish she was here 24/7!!!!”

ability. If she does not have an answer (which is rare), she is always right on top of finding an answer and getting back to us. Marg does a great job of keep everyone up to speed of any and all changes.

“Marg Clark is a social worker who is often found on 2 West but can be found in other departments as well. She is simply amazing!

The standard saying around 2 West is, if you have a question, “Ask Marg, she has all the answers.” She goes above and beyond to answer all of our questions to the best of her

Marg has amazing bedside skills and is great with her patients. Patient care is truly in her heart. She is patient, understanding, kind, and caring. I can’t say enough to praise Marg and the amazing things she does for us nurses and her patients. She makes the discharge process go so much smoother, without bumps, and easier from the patient’s perspective too, as well as their family.

Marg is exceptionally compassionate and great at her job. I can’t think of a better candidate and a more deserving person for this award.

Marg Clark truly is an outstanding Friend of Nursing!”

Structural Empowerment Aimee Wheeler, RN Pediatric Clinic

“I would like to nominate Aimee Wheeler, RN, who works at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Pediatrics. Aimee is the triage nurse

Transformation Leadership Cr ystal Sterkel, RN, 3rd floor

“Crystal Sterkel, RN is a Clinical Resource Nurse (CRN) for the Medical/Oncology Unit at Regional West Medical Center. Crystal is a definite resource to the staff on the Medical/ Oncology Unit. She is always available for questions and assistance. As a CRN, there was

Outstanding Preceptor of Nursing Students Cindy McCabe, RN, 2 East

“She loves to teach. I have been a student with her for many times and will be completing my transition with her as well. The amount of knowledge that she possesses is something that

at the clinic, but not only does she triage, schedule, and educate, she goes out of her way to help other nurses with clinic room patients. She has developed protocol books and dispensed them to the other nurses in clinic as a quick reference so that the patient doesn’t have to wait for information. I’ve seen her do three Hylex procedures in-office while also doing triage and keeps the flow going so that another nurse isn’t pulled away from rooming patients for the provider. She sits and comforts the parent while the child is receiving

the procedure. She even helps with scheduling patients’ appointments in Denver by doing prior authorization with the insurance company or finding a provider who is covered in the plan so we can get them there sooner. She is always the first to volunteer to help when staff is short and still does phone calls so patients aren’t neglected. It is my honor to be able to work with such an awesome nurse. She truly shows what leadership is and I have learned so much from her. I hope you will consider her!”

a recent situation in which a concern regarding a transfer of a patient from an outlying hospital was brought to her attention. Crystal enlisted the assistance of the unit manager, house supervisor, infection control, and the emergency preparedness coordinator. The patient was admitted to the Medical/Oncology Unit but the communication regarding the patient’s diagnosis brought to light additional concerns when receiving transfers from other hospitals. Although this appeared to be a drill

by Crystal, it was an actual situation.

interest of the patient. This may not always be the popular stance by the physician. Crystal recently advocated for her patient’s quality of life. The patient received a poor diagnosis in which treatment options included a large brain surgery. The patient had a preplanned trip with his family. The outcome, risks, and treatment would not change by delaying the treatment for seven days so the patient could take time with his family. This advocacy allowed the patient to spend quality time with his family before starting life-altering treatment. Thanks Crystal!”

When Crystal is caring for her patients as a bedside nurse, she advocates in the best

is very valuable. She is easy to approach, never treats you like you are dumb, and ALWAYS answers the question while allowing for the opportunity for follow-up questions. She will ask me questions to test my knowledge as well.

The atmosphere of learning that she provides is much appreciated and I believe she is so deserving of this award!

She allows me to complete all the tasks that are required of the nurse during my experiences – which allows me to learn time management skills, medication administration skills, and apply my knowledge to take care of

the patient the best way possible. Cindy is an amazing person who I truly enjoy working with when I am a student.

Cindy is always positive during her shifts and always accepts students – even if the floor did not know about the student coming. This is so very important because when you are a student there is nothing worse than feeling like you are in the way. Cindy never has made me feel that way. I cannot wait to complete my transition experience (174 hours) with her! I will learn so very much!”