Celebrating nurses & national Week 2019
Presented by
2
| SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2019
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
FROM THE EDITOR
Celebrating the best of the best W e asked. You responded. Who are among the best nurses in Siouxland? You – and a panel of judges – told us this year’s honorees are: Charmaine Cantrell Tisha Dumkrieger Loree Steffen Nancy Treft Like many who ex Cindy Vaughn cel, the five honorees are tops because they Inside this special edition, you’ll view their profession get to learn more about what makes them special and why they love their as a passion or a callprofession. ing, not just a job. They At the Delta Hotel on May 9, also know how they BRUCE we revealed the five winners and best fit into the overall MILLER heard their stories. picture of health care. At “Nurses: The Heart of And, as any physician Health Care Awards, presented will tell you, they’re essential to the by CNOS,” we learned why it’s business. important to recognize and Certainly, the list doesn’t end with celebrate. these five – we have many great nom-
CaringDeeply
inees and many more who haven’t been identified. But today’s section and the event are just two ways to shine the spotlight on those who are there for us in some of the most crucial times of our lives. During National Nurses Week (and the rest of the month), take an opportunity to thank those have made a difference in your life. Also, say thanks to those who have helped us launch this event: UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, Floyd Valley Healthcare, Sunrise Senior Living, Midlands Clinic and Siouxland Community Health. Thanks to you, too, for helping us identify outstanding nurses in the area. They deserve the recognition. Bruce Miller Editor, Sioux City Journal
Schedule your tour today! Call 712-276-3821. 5501 Gordon Drive East, Sioux City
Providing all your senior care needs: rehab, nursing, assisted living, memory care & independent living.
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
SALUTE TO NURSES
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 3
NURSE STEREOTYPES ARE CHANGING
W
hat we see on TV and in movies shapes our impressions about the occupations actors portray in film and on television. No less is true than the representationof nurses in popular media. Perhaps among the most famous portrayals is that of Loretta Switt as Maj. Margaret Houlihan in the hit 1970s and ‘80s TV show “M*A*S*H.” Another is Louise Fletcher’s performance as Nurse Ratched in the 1975 film, “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” Both these portrayals underscore extreme stereotypes — “Hot Lips” Houlihan is a romantic/sexual interest of several characters at a surgical hospital during the Korean War and Ratched is presented as a cold-hearted tyrant at state mental hospital — but neither is representative of the real-life world of nurses. Of course, these characters are presented for entertainment purposes but those images have real impact on viewers. In “Celluloid Angels: A Research Study of Nurses in Feature Films, 1900-2007,” author David Stanley, a nurse and lecturer at Australia’s Curtin University of Technology, reviewed more than a century of nurses as predominant characters in movies. He found that “Nurses and the nursing profession are frequently portrayed negatively or stereotypically in the media, with nurses often being portrayed as feminine and caring but not as leaders or professionals capable of autonomous practice.” To combat these portrayals, the Baltimore-based group the Truth About Nursing seeks to challenge stereotypes and to educate the world about the value of nursing. Its mission is to foster a better understanding that nurses are autonomous, college-educated science professionals to strengthen nursing care, education and research, allowing nurses to save more lives. Of course, the “truth about nursing” is that nurses save lives and work long, hard hours and make many sacrifices to provide healing and care at hospitals, clinics and in a variety of environments where nurses serve patients who may not otherwise come in contact with a healthcare provider. Nurses have a long history of pioneering heroes, from Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, to Clara Barton and Mary Breckinridge. Fortunately, the image of the nurse in TV, movies and in the media is improving.
© ADOBE STOCK
More recently, movie nurses are “intelligent, strong, and passionate characters,” Stanley says. An example is “Nurse Jackie.” At first condemned by nursing organizations for her drug abuse, the Truth About Nursing says, “Jackie turned out to be arguably the strongest and the most skilled nurse ever depicted on serial U.S. television.” As it developed, “Nurse Jackie” was commended for standing up to organizations that threatened safe and equitable care, recalls Canadian nurse Lori Campbell. Jada Pinkett Smith’s portrayal of Christina Hawthorne in “HawthoRNe” featured a nurse as its main character. As the chief nursing officer at Richmond Trinity Hospital, Hawthorne presented a positive portrayal of nursing, advocating for her patients and staff. “These are vital messages to increase public understanding of nursing and funding for nursing practice, education, research and residencies,” the Truth About Nursing reports.
PUBLIC DOMAIN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
4 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
THE EVOLUTION OF
MODERN SCRUBS
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 5
Fashion-conscious brands have turned the standard workwear into something stylish
S
crubs have long since entered lexicon and moved from uniforms for nurses, doctors and medical staff, to being embraced as a true mode of fashion. Because they allow freedom of movement and comfort to hard-working medical professionals, the garments have become as popular as warm-up suits for those in and out of the field. Scrubs were born of necessity and at first were worn by physicians which provided ease of movement and sanitary dress in operating rooms that could be quickly disposed of. According to an article on dressamed.com, nurses once wore long, bulky gowns for protection but were prone to transmutation diseases. Modern scrubs were pioneered by Dr. William Hasted, who also developed the first pair of latex gloves. But it took decades before what we now recognize as scrubs spread from operating-room wear to the de facto uniform of almost every hospital
Its biggest hit is a line in partnership with the popular, long-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.” The show — and the scrubs — proved so successful that Barco turned from making scrubs for fictional TV shows to a line based on that show for real-world medical wear. medical staffer. While most medical facilities provide the drab green or blue scrubs most are familiar with, those in the medical field have sought out an even-more comfortable and fashion-forward look and uniform companies have responded. It’s no mistake that people who wear any sort of uniform want to invest in a look that feels good, wears well and expresses some individuality. And manufacturers have responded.
Congratulations Cindy Vaughn
Winner of the 2019 Siouxland Excellence in Nursing Cindy Vaughn has been an integral part of the Burgess Health Center family for 39 years. so proud of her achievements, as this year’s 2019 Excellence in Nursing winner and in everything she does for our organization every day! Her expertise and strong dedication to our patients is an inspiration to us all.
Your family and friends at Burgess Health Center.
Among them is Barco, a California-based uniform supplier that has been in business since 1929. The company claims to have created “the world’s first fashion scrubs” in 1965, and also makes uniforms for such fast-food chains as McDonald’s and Taco Bell, according to an article in The New York Times. But Barco also has a close connection to the entertainment world, supplying scrubs for a range of television and movies for decades, the article notes. Its biggest hit is a line in partnership with
the popular, long-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.” The show — and the scrubs — proved so successful that Barco turned from making scrubs for fictional TV shows to a line based on that show for real-world medical wear, the Times article reported. On their website, Barco features no fewer than five signature “Grey’s Anatomy” lines of scrubs for women and men made from soft, stretchable fabric that “drapes elegantly and conveys a polished professional image.” But Barco is not alone in producing fashion-forward scrubs. Several companies, including Med Couture, Jaanuu and Cherokee are changing the look of medical uniforms, introducing bold colors, patterns and prints. As an article on WorkingNurse.com pointed out,” looking good makes you feel good, and feeling good makes you perform your job even better. And that’s never out of style.”
SALUTE TO NURSES
6 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP NURSES
CHARMAINE CANTRELL can be very challenging but, at the same time, can be extremely rewarding!
NAME: Charmaine Cantrell EDUCATION: St. Joseph’s School of Nursing
What don’t patients realize about medicine?
YEARS IN THE PROFESSION: 41 CURRENT EMPLOYER: Med Trans/ MercyOne Air Care; Dakota Dunes Surgical
Medicine is always changing with new medications and procedures.
Who has been instrumental in your success?
Why did you want to be a nurse?
First, my husband and family, who, without their full support, I could not be successful. Secondly, my co-workers for their support on the job. When I first started, my Aunt Pat would tell me, ‘Always treat patients with the same care that you would a family member.’
Growing up, I was inspired to be a nurse because of my Aunt Pat, who was an ER nurse for 50 years at Mercy. She made me believe that I really wanted to help and care for the sick and injured.
What makes the job rewarding?
Describe a typical day.
I love seeing the emotional satisfaction and the positive reaction from the patients and their families that I have cared for.
A typical day on a 24-hour flight shift includes briefing with the previous crew, narcotic count and changing out the blood container. The pilot completes a briefing on the weather, including PR’s and any obstacles to be aware of during flights. The flight medic and flight nurse complete an inventory of the helicopter. Also, my responsibility is CQI on previous charts. In addition, we must complete any required online education.
What role do nurses play in health care? Nurses are the backbone in the primary care for the sick and injured. We are always on the front line for patient care and working with the families.
What was your most challenging time in the profession? The most challenging time for me is speaking with patients and family members about negative prognoses. The very most challenging time was when my son was brought in as a code red/code blue from a motorcycle accident while I was on duty in the ER and then was informed he would be paralyzed.
What do you want others to know about the profession? The most important thing to remember is that very seldom nursing is a 9-to-5 job with weekends and holidays off. Your main priority is always
patient care.
Why should someone become a nurse? You need to have a love and commitment to patient care. I believe nursing
Are you a good patient? Or does working in health care change the way you view the profession? No, I am not a good patient. I feel nurses are busy taking care of others and sometimes forget about themselves. I also feel the professionals in the medical field self-diagnose when they become sick or injured.
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 7
MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP NURSES
TISHA DUMKRIEGER
What don’t patients realize about medicine?
NAME: Lutisha (Tisha) Dumkrieger
EDUCATION: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Western Iowa Tech Community College
Medicine is not a one-size-fits all solution.
YEARS IN THE NURSING PROFESSION: Seven years as nurse and two years as a certified nursing assistant
Who has been instrumental in your success? My husband, Jeremy. He taught me the first lesson of nursing. Caring for your patient. All throughout my cancer journey he was there. He slept in a hospital chair next to me after my surgery. At home he bathed me, dressed me, and cooked for me. During my radiation treatment, he had to remain 20 feet away and weren’t able to be near each other. He slept on the opposite side of the house and he would talk me on the phone from the other room so I wouldn’t be alone. He taught me about complete unselfish caring and for that I’m forever grateful.
CURRENT EMPLOYER: Holy Spirit Retirement Home
Why did you want to be a nurse? I’ve always wanted to serve the community but never knew my place in the world. I thought about becoming a teacher, I worked in childcare, I eventually took courses in police science. I enjoyed working with kids but when I became a CNA at a local nursing home, I felt like I was a piece of a bigger puzzle and I had found my place. I fit in and I can’t imagine being anywhere or doing anything else.
Describe a typical day.
What makes the job rewarding? My job can be grueling and stressful; as nurses, we know all know and expect it. My reward comes when my efforts to comfort a resident comfort a resident. I know what it’s like to be scared in the hospital and not knowing the outcome. My reward is a smile, a hug, a back scratch and laugh in the midst of uncertainty and grief.
What role do nurses play in health care? The simple answer is—we are the advocates for our patients. We make sure they are getting the care they deserve, the medications they need in a safe environment. Our role is more than that, our job is to be a steady foundation to bring comfort to those who are fearful, confused, and alone.
What was your most challenging time in the profession? I love my current employer, Holy
Spirit. But I appreciate them more because I’ve worked in a nursing home that was so stressful that I went home crying at the end of every shift. It was chaotic and unorganized. I’m lucky to find a home in such a remarkable and supportive place like Holy Spirit.
What do you want others to know about the profession? Nursing is an intense, emotionally draining and physically demanding job. Nurses will cry, nurses will curse, nurses will work short-staffed. They
won’t use the restroom for entire shifts and may not eat, either. Nurses will be yelled at by patients, their families and some doctors. Nurses must manage their stress and help to comfort everyone else in theirs.
Why should someone become a nurse? Men and women should consider it an honor to serve people as a nurse. Anyone with a mindset for compassion and quality of service should consider as a career. Plus, we have the best potlucks.
I work third shift so beginning at 10:30, I get a report from one floor, count narcotics, check in with my CNA, make sure my residents are in bed and safe. Onto upstairs, get report, count narcotics check in with my CNA. Hopefully, at this point, I can make a cup of coffee; I need coffee. Then I walk around all night getting vitals, giving PRNs, ensuring safety, and facing whatever emergency comes. Morning comes, morning med pass, report on one floor, count narcs, and on to the other floor. Repeat. Repeat. Document. Document.
Are you a good patient? Or does working in health care change the way you view the profession? I know what to expect now. I understand that doctors and nurses aren’t scary, the situation is scary. I understand we are all human trying to do the right thing in our own way. I think that makes me a good patient; I don’t hope to not test my knowledge from time to time.
SALUTE TO NURSES
8 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP NURSES
LOREE STEFFEN NAME: Loree Steffen
Why should someone become a nurse?
EDUCATION: BSN, Morningside College
We have been around for a long time and continue to be a part of every community. A nurse is rewarding, self-fulfilling and important. We are not easily replaced and the profession is far from dying out. Hard work does pay off in this career. Simply stated, nurses call all the shots, and who doesn’t enjoy a little control?
YEARS IN THE NURSING PROFESSION: 34 CURRENT EMPLOYER: CNOS
Why did you want to be a nurse?
What don’t patients realize about medicine?
Way way back, when I was in grade school, I watched the TV series “Julia” with my mother. The show was about a nurse working in a hospital, and my mom seldom missed watching. Watching the TV series always made me wonder why my mom loved it so much. Ultimately, my curiosity paid off and I decided in high school that I wanted to pursue a career in nursing.
It is ever evolving, never static. Can’t hang on to yesterday because tomorrow is waiting for us.
Who has been instrumental in your success? For sure my parents, especially my father! He encouraged me to go higher and stronger. Never settle for mediocre and never think you can’t do what others do. My parents not only had wise words, they had tons of love and encouragement.
What makes the job rewarding? I think the rewarding part of being a nurse is there are so many opportunities. Each type of nursing is a whole new knowledge base. From working on a hospital floor to a school nurse, from a scrub nurse to a nurse administrator, from an air care flight nurse to a case manager, there is so much you can do and it all requires a different set of skills and talents/gifts you learn or need to possess. You can change it up as often as you desire and never leave the profession. I have had the pleasure a dabbling in hospital nursing, administration, home health, clinic nursing, medical missions and Street Medicine Program.
What role do nurses play in health care? I think it would be simpler to ask what role they don’t play. We are a resource, a deliverer, an educator, a leader, a coordinator, a thinker, a doer, a friend and more.
Describe a typical day. What was your most challenging time in the profession? The challenge for me is happening now. It is very challenging to accept and realize I have become an “older” nurse. Young nurses and technology keep running circles around me, and I can’t always keep up.
What do you want others to know about the profession? It is not for the fainthearted.
Ha ha! We have a saying in our facility, “The only thing that is for sure is where you park. The rest is unpredictable.” When you are dealing with humans and IT you need to be fluid and flexible.
Are you a good patient? Or does working in health care change the way you view the profession? When you know the “behind-the-scenes” stuff, it can taint you. But I believe I am a good patient, and being a patient creates more empathy. It does not change my view, but instead it teaches me to interact differently.
I think the rewarding part of being a nurse is there are so many opportunities. Each type of nursing is a whole new knowledge base. From working on a hospital floor to a school nurse, from a scrub nurse to a nurse administrator, from an air care flight nurse to a case manager, there is so much you can do and it all requires a different set of skills and talents/gifts you learn or need to possess.
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 9
MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP NURSES
NAME: Nancy Treft
NANCY TREFT
EDUCATION: LPN & RN at Western Iowa Tech Community College, BSN at Morningside College and Masters in Education at Wayne State College.
What don’t patients realize about medicine? The internet is not the place to get your diagnosis and healthcare treatment!
YEARS IN THE NURSING PROFESSION: 36 CURRENT EMPLOYER: Sioux City Community Schools
Who has been instrumental in your success?
Why did you want to be a nurse?
Irene Bolton, the former head nurse from Sioux City Schools. She is the one who hired me and mentored me. Sue Sorenson, a friend, is also someone who encouraged me in school nursing because she thought it would be good fit for me with my past nursing experience.
My plan in high school was accounting. I never thought about becoming a nurse until the end of my senior year; I was with a friend who talked me into going to take a career placement test with her at WITCC and I scored high in healthcare so I thought I would give nursing a try. It seems odd now because it feels like I was always meant to do this.
Describe a typical day.
What makes the job rewarding? I like that I am improving the health of students who don’t always have access to healthcare and also building relationships with the families and students.
What role do nurses play in health care? At times, we are the only healthcare provider a student will see. Students will often be instructed by their parents to see the nurse when they get to school to determine whether they need to visit their physician.
What was your most challenging time in the profession? In my past job, when I was working at St. Luke’s (currently Unity Point) when the United flight 232 crashed in Sioux City. I was working in the post anesthesia care unit that was filled with the overflow of patients from the
also a high- demand career if you think you would be good at it.
emergency room. The magnitude of the injuries and the multitude of patient problems were overwhelming. Thirty years later, I still remember it like it was yesterday.
What do you want others to know about the profession? People think school nursing consists of bandaged knees and stomach aches because they think of the days they were in school. They don’t realize what it’s like in school now. It has evolved a lot since I started in this job 25 years ago. I deal with complex health issues every day in a situation that isn’t always conducive to health care. Currently, I care for students who might need to be fed through a feeding tube, catheterized, have a tracheotomy or
need insulin to mention a few. If I have an emergency, I can’t just call out into the hall for additional nursing help. My access to help is the staff, teachers, and principals who have been trained in health emergencies. You need to be able to remain calm and think on your feet since you are out there alone. I am lucky to have additional help from school staff that helps support the students when I’m not in the building. The school nurses are a small department of eight but we help each other when needed. So yes, we are “real nurses” with a lot of skills and varied experiences.
Why should someone become a nurse? It can be a very rewarding career. It’s
My day is never the same or “typical.” I go to working knowing exactly what I want, or need to get done for the day, but circumstances beyond my control always seem to change my plan. Things such as medical emergencies, 911 calls, meetings, medical treatments, student or staff illnesses or going to another building to assist with a call or check on a student are a few things that change my day. At different times during my day, you may find me giving medications, insulin, training staff, assessing students, visiting with students with anxiety or mental health issues, or attending IEPs or problem solving meetings.
Are you a good patient? Or does working in health care change the way you view the profession? I am probably not a good patient. When I am sick, I already think I know what is wrong with me and want treatment quickly. However, when I am really sick, I’m a better patient because I know I need the healthcare professionals’ help.
SALUTE TO NURSES
10 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
MEET THIS YEAR’S TOP NURSES
NAME: Cindy Vaughn
CINDY VAUGHN
What don’t patients realize about medicine?
EDUCATION: Associate degree in nursing
Nurses can make things look so easy but there is more than meets the eye! Staying on top of medications and their side effects, compatibilities with other meds, correct dosages, correct routes, optimal times to be administered. There is documentation throughout the day, ongoing assessments with each patient and being alert for any changes in condition. Nurses choose to give of themselves at work every day. We are human and share in the emotions of our patients, even though we may not show it in front of them.
YEARS IN THE NURSING PROFESSION: 39 CURRENT EMPLOYER: Burgess Health Center
Why did you want to be a nurse? I wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little. At first, I thought it looked cool wearing a white uniform with a cap balancing on the top of my head and walking around with a doctor. (Ha ha. How my thinking has changed!) During my teenage years, I developed some health problems. I was scared, in pain and uncertain of my future. I found great comfort with the nurses who care for me and wanted the opportunity to pay it forward.
Who has been instrumental in your success?
What makes the job rewarding? It’s the simple fact that you make a difference in someone’s life. It is not about the money and definitely not about the hours! My reward comes from the relationships that are built with the patients I care for. Working in a rural hospital such as Burgess Health Center, those same people I interact with on a daily basis within the community. We don’t just meet the patient’s physical needs, there is also emotional well-being. Just taking the time to listen to them, holding their hand and being there when loved ones can’t be around. It’s a personal thing, like one big family.
What role do nurses play in health care? Through the years, nursing has evolved tremendously. We play a vital role with assessing, treating and evaluating as well as collaborating with providers on what is best for each patient. We are caregivers, patient advocates and teachers. In essence, nurses truly are at the heart of healthcare carrying out expert care and compassion. We cannot survive without a heart just as healthcare cannot survive without nurses.
What was your most challenging time in the profession? I started my nursing career with all pen-and-paper charting. We are creatures of habit and must adapt to frequent changes not only with our patients but also with the ever-changing technology in our work environment.
What do you want others to know about the profession? Nursing is ever-changing, challenging, yet reward-
ing at the same time. After almost 40 years, I am still learning. It’s not for someone with a weak stomach. There will be blood and other bodily fluids you’ll be dealing with. It’s about compassion, understanding and caring for people, sometimes at their worst moments. You will be the one that a patient relies on during hardships, grief and even death. It’s a profession that requires good work ethics and team work. There are emergency situations, that because of you, can be lifesaving. Assisting in the birth of a baby is life-changing, teaching a patient how to care for themselves, such as giving insulin injections, taking medications or properly changing a wound dressing is life-enhancing. Giving comfort and compassion at the end of life for an individual as well as the family is a priceless gift. Nursing is a career that is hard to leave. I should know, because years ago I thought that I could leave it, but was drawn right back in. It becomes more than just a job. It grows into a lifelong passion.
Why should someone become a nurse? Not everyone is cut out to become a nurse, just like any other profession. You must have a desire to help others. There is job security, flexible work schedules, varying job opportunities such as hospitals, clinics, home health/hospice, surgery, nursing homes, mental health and teaching positions. There is a great need for nurses so you can travel the world while helping others in need. It does not get any better than that!
I work with the best people! We all work together as a team. Nursing definitely is not a one-man show. It takes all departments in a hospital setting. Our nurse techs are invaluable with hands on care and being alert to patients’ conditions. The unit secretaries who “man the fort,” utilization review nurse who goes above and beyond every day, ER, dietary, housekeeping, lab, radiology, physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy, education, maintenance, mental health, home health/ hospice, clinics and the list goes on. Each department plays an important role in providing high quality care. The nurses that I work closely with on the medical surgical floor are my family. We pull together to give the best possible care to our patients. I’m so proud of them!
Describe a typical day. The day starts off with reports on each patient then getting updates on potential discharges. There is ongoing patient education and assisting with admissions throughout the day. I also do post-discharge follow-up phone calls to ensure that our patients are doing well at home. I work at Burgess mental health and will soon be assisting with cardiology telemedicine. I am there to support the nursing staff on the medical surgical floor.
Are you a good patient? Or does working in health care change the way you view the profession? I have had my share of illness in the past. Being the one in the bed is very humbling. There’s a certain amount of heightened anxiety because we are caregivers, not receivers. I have a deeper appreciation with the comfort, skill and compassion of this profession. I believe I now show more empathy toward patients and strive to be a better nurse.
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
THE 2019 FINALISTS nn Porterfield A Charles Cuffman Jennifer Ferris Nicolle Weaver Daniel Foreman Tara Geddes Hope Saltsgiver Debbie Gauert Fletcher Betsy Scheer Jody Lee Nancy Rentel Amanda Barger Megan Lister Bobbie Jo Baker Rachel Mohr Kristen Anthony Gina Myers Morgan Miralles Suzanne LeGree Kim Coy Brian OConnor Teanne Copenhaver Linda Nordstrom
Lori Bourasso Robert Ekwall Kim Staab Elizabeth Kurth Lindsey Chmura Brenda Vore Erika Nemmers Sandy Nelson Gina Vacura Marlys VanOtterloo Christine Moreno Emily Maass Heather Podzimek Lu Arnett Tammy Sudtelgte Justin Roach MaryJo Clark Sandy Miller Sheila Hilton Kimberly Ryan Lacey Bahm Mindi Miller Wanda Hutchins
1021 Nebraska St., Sioux City, IA
712-252-2477
slandchc.com 3410 Futures Drive, South Sioux City, NE
402-412-7242
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 11
THE CHANGING ROLE OF SCHOOL NURSES
M
any will remember the school nurse’s office as a place where you went to lay down if you felt ill and to wait for a parent to pick you up. The nurse might also have checked your temperature and dispensed an aspirin. But today’s school nurses do so much more. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, modern school nurses: Assess health complaints, administer medication and care for students with special health care needs. Develop contingencies for managing emergencies and urgent situations. Manage health screening, immunizations and infectious disease reporting. Identify and manage chronic healthcare needs. In fact, school nurses are the primary caregiver to a large portion of students living in rural areas that lack other health care access. They perform a critical role in the community to identify unmet health needs and
foster the relationship between health and education, resulting in increased academic achievement, improved attendance and better graduation rates. According to the Academy’s position paper, school nurses and pediatricians, both community- and school-based, working together can be a great example of team-based care, providing comprehensive health services to students, families and their communities. As more children with special health care needs enter schools, the school nurse becomes a vital link helping both students and families to reinforce treatment during and after the school day. Many children enter the school system with such issues as attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, life-threatening allergies and seizures. School nurses, often working with a school pediatrician, develop medical recommendations and administration in the school environment and often beyond. School nurses are also the first-responders to students suffering inju-
ries incurred during sports or extracurricular activities. In the event of an emergency, such as a school shooting, school nurses may be among the first to treat any wounded students. They also play a critical role identifying parental noncompliance with medical home goals, the Academy reports, or if neglect or abuse is suspected. It’s clear that times have changed dramatically since the first school nurse was appointed in New York City in 1902. That nurse, Lina Rogers, tended to the health care needs of more than 8,000 students in four schools. Because of her success in reducing absenteeism, the system added 12 more nurses and all but eradicated absences due to medical conditions. Although their duties and mandates have expanded since that time, the core role of the school nurse hasn’t changed: Attendance is key to academic achievement. Keeping students healthy helps ensure they achieve success and develop healthy practices during the school years and well into their adult lives.
SALUTE TO NURSES
12 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
MEN BATTLE STEREOTYPES IN NURSING D emand for nurses has never been higher. It’s a career, and a calling, that is enduring an ongoing shortage into the next decade, if estimates are correct. That’s why more men are being encouraged to enter a field traditionally dominated by women. Only 9 percent of the estimated 4 million nurses in America today are men, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But those numbers are growing, with the number of active male RNs enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs increasing three-fold since the turn of the century. So why aren’t more men becoming nurses? Studies point to both stereotypes and barriers to gender diversity. In fact, in one recent study attempting to identify the few numbers of men in nursing, 70 percent of respondents cited stereotypes as a major challenge. But in this new era, those challenges are beginning to change.
“Patients are much more receptive to health care providers of similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and that may well translate to gender as well,” said Vernell DeWitty, deputy director of New Careers in Nursing, a program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in an article on the foundation’s website. “The shortage of the future will likely not be solved unless men are part of the equation,” added male nurse William T. Lecher, president of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing, in the same article. “We really have to figure out how to provide more gender inclusion and balance in the nursing workforce.” Similar studies show men who are drawn to a career in nursing typically pursue advanced degrees and often out-earn their female counterparts. That has contributed to the 11 percent rise in male nurses in the past few years, according to statistics collected by Montana State University.
That data also shows that overall men are more inclined to pursue careers as nurses in hospitals. Nearly 70 percent of male RNs worked in hospitals, as opposed to 61 percent of female RNs in 2015. The study said male nurses may be more drawn to the types of care — emergency departments and critical care units — than women. All the data and statistics point toward a challenging and lucrative career for men in nursing, where average salaries top $60,000. Now is an excellent time for men to consider careers in nursing — and to get over the stigma. “Forget about the stigma,” Jorge Gitler, an oncology nurse manager, told The New York Times in an article focused on men who had left other careers to pursue nursing. “The pay is great, the opportunities are endless and you end up going home every day knowing that you did something very positive for someone else.”
Nurses are Born to Care! Trusted, caring and compassionate, our nurses are an important part of your - and your family’s - healthcare.
Celebrating Floyd Valley Healthcare’s Nurses.
712.546.7871 714 Lincoln Street NE, Le Mars, IA 51031
floydvalley.org
SALUTE TO NURSES
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 13
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS:
A NURSE’S CALLING
MICHAEL DIVITTORIO
The Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)
L
aurel Houck uses medicine and faith to help heal the bodies and souls of people overseas. “The main thing is, medicine is a hook to bring people in so we can pray for them,” Houck, 69, of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, said. “We just really want to introduce them to Jesus. It’s very interesting because we see things that are common with the human condition.” Houck has served as medical liaison for the South East Asia Prayer Center in Oakmont the past 10 years. It is a Christian-based global organization founded by resident Mark Geppert that is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. Houck learned about SEAPC from Geppert while at Riverside Community Church in Oakmont. “This is God’s call in my life,” Houck said. “It’s about building relationships with people and by building relationships we’re able to sustain those (connections).” Houck and her husband, Harry Mundorff — both registered nurses — go on medical mission trips for SEAPC. They’ve been to Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Haiti, Kashmir and other places in hopes of healing the sick. “We go where the need is,” Houck said. “Sometimes we serve in villages, sometimes we serve in prisons. We traveled internationally before God called us into missions. I have absolutely no desire to take a vacation. I just want to do this for as long as I can.” Houck has been a nurse for 49 years with work experience from places like Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian hospital and South Miami Hospital in Miami. She studied nursing at the former Columbia Hospital in
Sometimes we serve in villages, sometimes we serve in prisons. We traveled internationally before God called us into missions. I have absolutely no desire to take a vacation. I just want to do this for as long as I can. Laurel Houck Wilkinsburg in 1971. It’s now part of Allegheny Health Network. Houck graduated from La Roche College in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The North Hills area school recently changed its name to La Roche University. Houck’s original love was writing. She has put pen to paper since age 6 and recently published a young adult novel called “The Girl With Chameleon Eyes.” It is inspired by her granddaughter, Mischa Wiesemann, 22. Her eyes change colors. The story is about Summer, a teenage ghost searching for closure for something she did in a past life. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other book outlets. A talk with her high-school guidance counselor put Houck on the path to nursing. She credits her parents for instilling a strong work ethic. “They raised me to be an independent
woman,” she said. “My parents were very org. hard workers. My mother’s still alive and Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, likes to get things done.” LLC. Houck also helps establish funding streams for SEAPC medical initiatives. Her latest project is rebuilding the John Bishop Memorial Hospital’s School of Nursing in Kashmir, India. The project’s estimated to cost $185,000. People who want to donate to the project or learn more about the organization can go online to seapc.org. Those interested in medical mission trips can email Houck at laurel@seapc.
SALUTE TO NURSES
14 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
THE LIFE OF A MODERN MILITARY
S
NURSE
ince the dawn of the republic, military nurses have played an important role in treating and caring for our nation’s wounded returning from battle. From the Revolutionary War to America’s global war on terrorism, military nurses are on the front lines and true heroes in their own right.
PUBLIC DOMAIN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Horoho
Here are brief profiles of just two modern military nurse legends.
Midlands Clinic thanks and e! salutes Nurses everywhere! There is not a minute in every hour of every day that a Nurse somewhere is not affecting the world around her… or him. Nurses are teachers, advocates, caregivers, critical thinkers, and innovators. They do so much more than care for individuals...their presence 24/7 has transformed lives. Nursing is an honorable profession, and nurses are the heart and soul of the healthcare system.
605-217-5500
705 - Sioux Point Road, Ste. 100 Dakota Dunes, SD
Army Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho
Born in 1960 on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the daughter of an Army officer, Horoho is the first woman and the first nurse to become Army surgeon general and commanding general of the Army Medical Command. Horoho grew up in North Carolina. She received her nursing degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1982 and earned her
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
master’s degree in as a clinical trauma nurse from the University of Pittsburgh 10 years later. She earned a second master’s degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In her long, distinguished career, from 1982 to 2016, Horoho treated the injured in the 1994 “Green Ramp” disaster at Fort Bragg, in which an F-16 fighter clipped the wing of a C-130 transport plane while on a training exercise. While the pilots ejected safely, the fighter crashed into an area known as the “Green Ramp,” where paratroopers were waiting to board aircraft. The explosion killed 23 and injured more than 100. At the time, Horoho was head nurse of the fort’s emergency room and led the care of the injured. Horoho went on to serve in Afghanistan, and was honored by the Red Cross for her actions at the Pentagon on the fateful date of Sept. 11, 2001. In 2008, Horoho led the 9,000-strong Army Nurse Corps and the Walter Reed Health Care System in Maryland. Nominated by President Barack Obama to become commanding general of the Army Medical Command in 2011, Horoho led a health care system rivaled only the Veterans Administration, serving more than 3.5 million patients. Horoho retired in 2016 and was succeeded by her contemporary in her command by another “first woman,” Maj. Gen. Nadja West, the first black woman — and first active-duty black major general — to lead the Army Medical Command.
SALUTE TO NURSES
Sunday, May 12, 2019 | 15
Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams
While her tenure was brief, Rear Arm. Sylvia Trent-Adams was the first female nurse to serve as United States Surgeon General. Trent-Adams led the public health agency as acting surgeon general from April to September 2017, following the dismissal of Vice Adm. Vivek Murthy, who was relieved of his post by the Trump administration. But the role as the first practicing registered nurse to lead U.S. Public Health Service was just another achievement for Trent-Adams. Born in 1965 in Concord, Virginia, Trent-Adams heard the calling of being a nurse early in life, serving as a so-called “candy striper” at a local hospital at the tender age of 12. She followed her dream to Hampton University in Virginia, earning her nursing degree with the aid of an ROTC scholarship. Following college, Trent-Adams served in the Army Nurse Corps. Drawn to public service, Trent-Adams followed her military career by joining the USPHS, where she managed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. She later became deputy administrator for the Department of Health and Human Service’s HIV/AIDS Bureau. Along the way, Trent-Adams earned her master’s degree in nursing and doctorate degree in public policy. While she did not serve long as the country’s top medical officer, she elevated the profile of nursing and continues to champion the role of nurses. “There is so much out there for us as a profession,” she told nursing graduates at a University of Maryland commencement ceremony.
PUBLIC DOMAIN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Trent-Adams
unitypoint.org
You make them smile head to toe. Our nurses help to make each moment count, being there when you need them and helping you go from getting well to living well. Thanks nurses, for all you do!
People are amazing. We’re here to help keep them that way.
16 | Sunday, May 12, 2019
SIOUX CITY JOURNAL
EXPERTS inCompassion. EXPERTS inCare.
EXPERTS in Nursing.
Cheri Albrecht
Nicolle Weaver
Chris Kling
Loree Steffen
Ann Porterfield
During National Nurses Week, we celebrate nurses everywhere. At CNOS, we recognize our skilled nurses who are dedicated to serving our patients every day and our five nominees for Sioux City Journal’s Outstanding Nurse.
CNOS.net | 605-217-2667 IOWA • SOUTH DAKOTA • NEBRASKA