National Thank you, nurses!
May 6-12
NURSES WEEK
A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC • 2021
HONORING HEALTH-CARE WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINE
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NURSES WEEK
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5 gifts to show nurses they’re appreciated It’s likely that no gesture of appreciation could ever be enough to express just how much the world has valued and come to rely on the efforts of nurses over the last year-plus. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in late 2019, nurses have been at the front lines in the fight against this global threat, working long hours in stressful situations. The pandemic did much to shed light on the vital role nurses play in health care settings, compelling many people to realize just how valuable these talented professionals are. In the wake of such realizations, it’s understandable if the loved ones, neighbors or even patients of nurses want to do something to express their appreciation for the efforts of these brave men and women. The following are five great gift ideas that may be tailor-made for the nurse in your life.
1.
Portable sanitizer bag – A portable sanitizer bag makes for the perfect accessory for nurses. Bags vary, but most provide a simple and effective way to kill viruses and bacteria without chemicals. Effective sanitizer bags utilize UV light to clean phones, jewelry, eyeglasses, masks, keys, and more.
Insulated tumbler – Nursing shifts 2. tend to be long, and the drive to the doctor’s office or hospital is a perfect
time for nurses to enjoy a cup of coffee prior to a long shift. An insulated tumbler can ensure that cup of coffee stays hot
during the commute and even for several hours after nurses arrive at work.
Aromatherapy diffuser – 3. Aromatherapy diffusers atomize essential oils to promote wellness, helping nurses relax after long shifts or during their days off. Many diffusers include a variety of ambient lighting options, allowing nurses to pick different colors depending on the room they’re in or the ambiance they hope to create.
Books – Everyone appreciates a 4. periodic escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but nurses working throughout the pandemic are especially deserving of such a respite. Books can make for the perfect escape vehicle, allowing nurses to immerse themselves in a work of fiction or a nonfiction book focusing on a particular interest or historical era.
Meal kit – After a long shift, nurses 5. may not have enough energy to cook meals in their kitchens. But many
restaurants are still operating under limited capacity restrictions. Meal kit subscriptions have become incredibly popular in recent years, and even more so during the pandemic. Meal kits usually come with recipes all ready to go, requiring just a few minutes of easy preparation before they can be cooked. Such kits can make for the perfect gift for nurses who loved homecooked meals but routinely find themselves too tired or busy to cook.
The heroic work of nurses is worthy of everlasting appreciation. Thankfully, there are many ways for individuals to show just how much they appreciate the hard work and sacrifices the nurses in their lives have made.
(METRO CREATIVE)
STOCK PHOTO Thank You, Nurses
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Health care workers continue to confront the COVID-19 virus every day. Giving back to these valued members of the community is a great way to show just how much their efforts are appreciated. STOCK PHOTO Thank You, Nurses
HOW TO GIVE BACK TO
Health Care Workers Millions of people across the globe donate to charities or volunteer as a means of bolstering their communities and helping the less fortunate. Such help is valuable no matter when it’s offered, but giving back in 2020 has proven to be an especially necessary endeavor. As a global pandemic took hold during the winter of 2019-20, millions of people found themselves battling a potentially deadly virus, while millions more found themselves out of work as the economy came crashing to a halt. Health care workers have been on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 virus for months on end. Stressful working environments and concerns about bringing the virus home and potentially infecting their families have made the challenges of fighting the pandemic even tougher for health care workers. Supporting such workers in these uncertain times can be a great way for people to show just how much they
appreciate the extraordinary efforts of doctors, nurses, EMTs, and others who continue to confront COVID-19 every day.
Keep it simple Efforts to give back to health care workers need not be extraordinary. Simple gestures like preparing a weeknight meal for health care workers and their families, offering to babysit on a weekend afternoon or tackle a few chores around the house can help exhausted health care workers catch their breath.
Donate more than just your time An actively engaged general public can reassure health care workers that they’re not alone in the fight against COVID-19 and other potentially deadly viruses and diseases. While blood is not used to treat COVID-19, various health organizations, including the U.S. Surgeon General’s
Office, have expressed concerns that hospitals will not have enough blood on hand to treat accident victims and sick people who need blood to survive. Social distancing measures may be keeping potential blood donors away, but the American Red Cross is urging people to continue donating blood so health care workers can meet the needs of patient care.
Help raise money Support efforts to procure more funding for hospitals. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, both the American Hospital Association and the American Nurses Association have expressed hospitals’ need for more financial support as they continue to battle the virus. By supporting such efforts and encouraging others to do the same, people looking to give back can send a message to health care workers that they’re supported and that their voices are being heard. (METRO CREATIVE)
NURSES WEEK
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Celebrating our nurses
National Nurses Week is celebrated each year in the United States. The American Nurses Association notes that the week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, which coincides with International Nurses Day, a global celebration designed to highlight and celebrate the contributions nurses make to society. May 12 also marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale, an influential 19th century British nurse who many consider the founder of modern nursing. Student nurses and school nurses are honored during National Nurses Week celebrations in the United States. Celebrations honoring nurses across the globe figure to take on greater meaning in 2021 as the world continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, during which hundreds of nurses have died from the virus while countless others have contracted it before eventually returning to work to continue helping those in need. This year, individuals, community leaders and privately held businesses can come together during National Nurses Week to celebrate the important work nurses do and the bravery they’ve shown while confronting one of the most devastating pandemics in history. (METRO CREATIVE)
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Showing appreciation for the nurses We asked the Southern Lakes Newspaper readers to nominate local nurses to be profiled in this special section as a way to say Thank You for all their hard work during a very difficult year. The responses we received are a tribute to all the nurses and health-care workers who have been battling on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to the all the life-saving work they do on a regular basis. National Nurses Week is May 6 and ends on May 12. We encourage the community to find ways, big and small, to thank our nurses!
MARY MARKLEY BROWN When Mary Markley Brown realized you needed a 4.0 GPA to matriculate into the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s RN, BSN program 1970, she returned home to Madison to a mother who said, “Let’s go to MATC and be LPNs together!” They trained together in 1972-73. The first week of school, they were in white uniforms, complete with caps, white nylons and white, bulky nursing shoes. Dress-length below the knee (or you were sent home to change uniforms) and fingernails short enough to not see nails, when facing palms. Since graduation in August 1973, mother and daughter saw lots of changes in healthcare because of insurance mandated protocols. One thing remained the same, however. True selfless compassion for those in need. Honoring those that have gone before us, continued to inspire Mary to report on time for endless night shifts, while her mother specialized in psychological “locked units” 3 to 11 p.m. shifts and loved it. While Mary persevered in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota Hospital’s station 44, adult surgical ICU, she learned you didn’t need a 4.0 for med school. Ah ha! Already enthusiastic about math and science, Mary thought, “Let’s try the premed route in class” as she was already on campus for her full-time job. A positive pregnancy test in 1976 halted studies for entrance exams, but, her career spanned decades of service, despite five daughters and four different homes throughout Wisconsin. A total hip replacement necessitated retirement last October. At 69 years of age, grandchildren await babysitting and gardens call to be weeded, Mary said.
BARBARA CONWAY
DEBBIE LEPPIEN
Russ Talbott nominated Barbara Conway, MA CCC-A, for her service above and beyond the call of duty at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Talbott wrote: The Cpt. Lovell Great Lakes complex in North Chicago serves Southern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois with satellite clinics throughout. Conway also works additionally at the McHenery clinic. An award-winning specialist of audiology and speech pathology, caring for active duty military and veterans, Conway retired after more than 30 years of service. She answered the call and came back on duty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her field became unique when the coronavirus struck as most patients lip read, in addition to hearing aid assistance, some with implants (all age groups), some have speech impairments and face masks became an unusual challenge. Often multiple disabilities complicate treatment. Veterans have the highest rate of suicide with more then 22 deaths per day, a good nurse becomes a physiologist, therapist and maybe most important of all, a communicator. Before the pandemic, Conway and her husband Casey bought a new, classic AirStream Trailer for their retirement(empty nesters of three boys, adults following their careers) and they decided to see America. God willing this will all be over soon and they can follow their dream.
Debbie Leppien, RN, was nominated by Marcy Mendicino, who wrote: The nurse we know well, Debbie Leppien, RN, is kind, compassionate, loving and caring. When she leaves work after her 12-hour shift, she doesn’t leave these qualities at the door. She lives her profession and loves her profession. She is always there to help whenever needed. She can sense when people are in pain or distressed and does what she can to comfort them. As the four of us were having lunch in a restaurant some time ago, we all heard disturbing sounds. A woman slipped and fell to the floor. Debbie immediately, without hesitation, got up and rushed to the woman on the floor. She knelt beside her and comforted her while asking questions about her condition. Debbie told her if she was in pain and needed help, she would call 911. After the stunned woman was able to assess her situation, she declined help and thought she could get back up on her feet. Debbie stayed with her until she was able to get up and felt she didn’t need any more help. Debbie is a ray of sunshine to her many patients. She is cheerful and reassuring when communicating with them, and often uses a dose of silly humor to create a smile in spite of their pain. There are so many reasons we love her so much!
SUSAN ST. JOHN
Mary Markley Brown, who is also profiled in this special section, nominated Lucy Medrow, RN, BSN. Brown wrote: Since May 23, 2006, Lucy Medrow continues work in Urgent Care and remotely for Case, but also founded Honey of the Heart, (nurse coaching), while remaining active with Lighthouse Connection, which opened Feb. 2. Inspired by her mother, Maja, and lategrandma, both nurses, Lucy graduated early from Burlington High School, to pursue her nursing career at Gateway Technical College. After interning as a student in Kenosha on a med-surgery floor, Lucy switched allegiance towards her pursuit of a BSN and the possibility of traveling nationwide. Cupid plucked her heart and she married in 2016. With a supportive husband, she’s expanded her scope of practice to wellbeing in daily ways, with hourly intentions. Her passion for people is unsurpassed and very reassuring. “We’ll make our way through these uncertain times, together,” is her mantra. Compassionate is a common noun used for most nurses, but Lucy embraced the entire worldwide dilemma of survival with Honey of the Heart nurse coaching. And should she ever author a book
Society’s Assets Community Outreach Coordinator Donna Menarek nominated Susan St. John, the organization’s lead RN personal care supervisor. Menarek wrote: Susan St. John has been with the Society’s Assets for 25 years. She’s a nurse who uses her skills and experience to coordinate the essential services that consumers need to live safely and comfortably in their homes. When the pandemic hit, Susan managed two caseloads in addition to her own. Co-workers commented that Susan shows amazing kindness and compassion. She is respectful in all situations and takes time to listen. Susan sets the standard that one co-worker tries to achieve every day. Susan’s consumers come first, but she also thinks about us. She’s a very observant nurse who cares deeply for her consumers’ well-being. Susan will work tirelessly, pursuing all avenues to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable populations have a voice and are treated with dignity and respect. “I admire her gentle approach and dynamic tenacity,” Menarek said. “If I need cares one day, I would want Susan to be my nurse.”
LUCY MEDROW
with PhD behind her name, it will be a worthwhile, practical and useful tool for coping … in life and death.
TILLY LYNN BURROUGHS Burlington’s Lori Kramer nominated her daughter, Tilly Lynn Burroughs, who has been a nurse for more than 20 years. She works at the Cancer Treatment Center in Illinois. Kramer wrote: I’m her mother, Lori, and Grammy caregiver for her three girls – Ali and Grace are 6-year-old twins and Ava is 5 years old. 2020 was crazy hard for Tilly, she had to work so many hours. I stayed at her house to care for the kids and dogs. She’s like my whole life, how can I not help? Late nights she would come home and go through the basement to shower so she could kiss her girls goodnight. The girls were home from school so we had to think of fun happy things all day long, that’s how me and Papa helped. We were very careful to only be with the kids. I not only could not touch my daughter, but my mom is 85 and we brought her food and helped her. I’m so proud of my daughter to help in a pandemic and keep the loves of her life, her children and husband, mom and dad, safe. We are a very close family with a strong faith and I felt God’s presence in the most beautiful ways going through this year. We learned many things about kindness, compassion and our love for family. I made sure my baby girls understood that love and they weren’t scared like all the adults were. God tells us to “Believe in me and live life abundantly” and I know a nurse is a gift from God. I do believe in angels and I am so grateful to Jesus Christ this year. Tilly called from work and said we have two extra shots and me and her husband got our COVID-19 shot from our nurse daughter and wife. How cool is that? She’s also going to school to continue her career to be a nurse practitioner. Our whole family is very proud of Tilly.
AMANDA GROH Sue Groh nominated her daughter, Amanda Groh, RN BSN who is an ICU RN with Aurora in their Float Pool. Sue wrote: I am very proud of my daughter and her resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day she worked hard and advocated for her patients and co-workers in the ICU. She learned new skills and was looked upon as an expert. She is a “pool” nurse and traveled to four area hospitals for a large local hospital system often having an assignment of more complex patients as she was not a regular staff member. I remember her stories of putting construction paper hearts and signs in her dying patients’ room windows so the family seated on lawn chairs in the hospital parking lot would know which room their loved one was dying in. Staying in a patent’s room the entire shift having the patient pass away at the end. She worked extra shifts and weekends while her significant other also worked at a large big box store providing services for the public. All this while having a young son at home, who has autism.
2021
NURSES WEEK
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Thank NURSES WEEK You May 6 to 12
A Special
National
Nurses Week May 6-12
Gateway Technical College would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all nurses and, in particular, our graduates and current nursing students. The important role you play in our community and lives is appreciated and respected. We thank you.
GTC.EDU
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Mercyhealth nurses are frontline heroes
Without a doubt, 2020 was the most challenging year for health care providers. COVID-19 dramatically changed their lives, both personally and professionally. What it didn’t do, however, was diminish the passion our nurses have for their work and those for whom they care. Throughout the pandemic, our nurses are on the frontlines, protecting the health and well-being of our patients and community. Whether working at the bedside in our hospitals or in one of our many outpatient clinics and specialty centers, our nurses make a tremendous impact in the lives of others every day. Thank you, Mercyhealth nurses, for putting your heart and soul into your work. Your life-saving and life-changing care shines through in all you do.
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Qualities that help nurses thrive Nursing is a challenging and rewarding field. Nurses are in high demand, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted just how vital these talented medical professionals are. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says nursing is the United States’ largest health care profession, employing more than 3.8 million registered nurses. In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that registered nurse jobs are projected to grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says that, as of 2019, there were 439,975 regulated nurses in Canada. Many people interested in nursing careers may wonder if they have what it takes to be a nurse. Certain qualities can help nurses thrive in this challenging field.
Trustworthiness For nearly two decades the American public has ranked nursing as its most trusted, admired and ethical profession, as indicated in Gallup polls. Nurses hold high ethical standards and 84 percent of respondents ranked nurses’ honesty as “very high” or “high.”
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Emotional stability Nurses often have to shelve their emotions so they can offer their patients the most effective care. Each day can bring powerful emotions. Nurses are not robots, but they have to perfect the balance of being empathetic while remaining strong in challenging situations. According to Daymar College, research has shown that nurses who are emotionally stable are more capable of solving problems and keeping their patients safe.
Effective communication Great nurses are good communicators who can absorb information from their patients and communicate health care initiatives back succinctly. Nurses also must be able to effectively share information and care plans between doctors and other staff.
Problem solving Professional nurses see problems and find solutions. They know when certain situations may be challenging and seek the input of others to come to a satisfactory outcome.
Empathy
Team player
Being able to feel what another person is experiencing from the patient’s point of view is a skill nurses must hone. This may require nurses to put themselves in their patients’ shoes and adapt care to make patients feel more comfortable and secure.
Nurses need to work seemlessly with health care teams, patients, families, and all individuals involved in a health plan. This may require nurses to don many different hats while remaining flexible and being willing to adapt to changing situations on the fly. (METRO CREATIVE)
Communities can work together on a variety of collective efforts aimed at recognizing the extraordinary efforts made by local nurses every day. STOCK PHOTO Thank You, Nurses
How communities can recognize nurses The vital role nurses play in health care settings across the globe was perhaps never more apparent than in recent months. When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, nurses were on the front lines in the battle against the virus, and have remained there ever since. In recognition of the sacrifices nurses and other health care workers have made to help the sick, individuals across the globe have placed signs in their yards thanking essential workers. In addition, many more have taken to social media to highlight the lengths individual nurses have gone to while helping them or their loved ones who caught the virus or fought other illnesses. Communities can follow such individuals’ lead by making collective efforts to thank the nurses who call their towns and cities home.
Sponsor fundraising efforts Town officials can help to organize a community-wide fundraising effort or a 50-50 raffle with the ultimate goal of donating to a charitable organization chosen by local nurses. Health care facilities have been stretched incredibly thin during the pandemic, so a donation to a charitable organization that benefits health care workers can be a great way for communities to honor local nurses.
Lend a helping hand The work frontline medical workers have done during the pandemic has been endless and exhausting. In recognition of that, community organizers can promote volunteer programs designed to lift some of the burden off local health care workers’ shoulders. Local hospitals, blood banks and health centers may need volunteers, and this is a great way for local residents to show health care workers their efforts are appreciated.
Celebrate as a community The American Nurses Association notes that National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12. Though National Nurses Week is not a federal holiday, communities can still come together during the week to highlight the work their local nurses do. Township or other local officials can encourage businesses in the community to offer special discounts to nurses during the week, while schools can take part in collective efforts to thank nurses. For example, students from all grades can work on a banner thanking nurses and then showcase the banner by the entryway to campus so passing motorists can see it.
Use social media
Demand for nurses is surging and the profession can make for an exciting and rewarding career. Prospective nurses can take inventory of their personalities and skill sets to determine if nursing is the right fit. STOCK PHOTO Thank You, Nurses
Community leaders can ask residents to nominate a local nurse each week and then choose one nominee to highlight on social media. Students or local officials can interview the nominee, asking them about their careers, including what compelled them to become a nurse and their most interesting experiences on the job. Interviews can be posted on community social media pages so all residents can get to know the unsung heroes in their communities. (METRO CREATIVE)
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