NATIONAL NURSES WEEK MAY 6-MAY 12, 2019
Honoring Nurses
who make a difference!
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
A salute to nurses
M
ore than 10,000 people work in healthcare in Yellowstone County. Thousands of those are nurses. Nurses, like so many critical professions, are easy to take for granted — until you really need one. But how many people know the first name of the nurse at the doctor’s office? Or remember the excellent care given by one of them to a family member in the hospital? Those are not the kinds of things you forget. Nurses are always around when we need them the most, and we rarely get the opportunity to thank them. In some ways, we expect great care when we need it the most. But, if you’ve spent any time anywhere else, you probably know that the healthcare we have in Billings is pretty special. It’s the human element that makes it better, and maybe nowhere is that more evident than in nursing. That’s why we’re kicking off what we hope is the first of a yearly event to honor nurses. Our readers selected these 10 nurses based
on a hugely successful call for entries this inaugural year. We originally asked for nomination for nurses who deserved special recognition and received over 225 submissions. Reading through the nominations was inspirational and more than a bit overwhelming. Judges from City College, Montana State University Billings and Rocky Mountain College had the honor of selecting this year’s winner. It was heartening to read the stories of those who nominated the nurses. It was remarkable to see the tremendous talent and impact they’ve made. And, at times, it was nearly impossible to pick the winners. These award-winning nurses deserve the kudos and recognition that come their way. They represent the best of the profession, both in terms of training and compassion. The truth is that more nurses than what has been featured deserve recognition. That’s why we hope this is the first of many events to come. We’re lucky to have be in a community with so many talented and caring nurses. And we’re proud to present their stories here. - The Billings Gazette
ABOUT THE JUDGES JUDGE ROBERT WILMOUTH
Dr. Robert Wilmouth is the President at Rocky Mountain College, Billings, Montana. He began serving in this position in January 2013. Previously, Dr. Wilmouth served as the Program Director for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program for four years and as a faculty member for 13 years at RMC. Dr. Wilmouth earned his bachelor’s of arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in psychology and pre-professional studies. Following college, he worked as a marketing representative for the IBM Corporation in the financial branch in Chicago, Illinois. During this time, he also served as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserves Medical Corps. After receiving his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Illinois, he moved to Billings in 1991 and joined the staff of the Billings Clinic as a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon. At this
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time, Dr. Wilmouth became an adjunct professor for the RMC Physician Assistant Studies program, a position he held for 17 years. Dr. Wilmouth served in numerous leadership positions while at the Billings Clinic, including Chief of Cardiac Services and Medical Director. Due to illness, Dr. Wilmouth retired from practicing in 2004 and subsequently served as a faculty member for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and as a board member for the Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation. These positions afforded him opportunities to work throughout the country as a consultant for the “Saving 5 Million Lives” campaign, in which he worked with hospital trustees on board engagement through executive communication.
JUDGE SUSAN FLOYD
Susan Floyd attended Helena Vocational Technical School for Practical Nursing in 1979
and graduated from MSU Bozeman in 1985 with her BSN. She graduated from University of Wyoming in 2012 with an MS in Nursing Education. She has been a nurse for thirty nine years, starting her nursing career at Billings Clinic. She has worked in cardiology, orthopedics, neuro, and resource. Later on, she worked at SVH as a telemedicine nurse and relief at Internal Medicine Associates. In 1990 she started as a faculty member at MSUB and became the nursing director in 2011. In her various roles, she has had the opportunity to observe nurses in many settings and experiences of life. Nurses are truly caring, kind, hard working, dedicated professionals. It is awesome to help patients progress from low points in their lives to coming out on the other side healthier and more aware of how to
stay healthy. It is impossible not to go to a medical facility in the Billings area and not encounter graduates from our program who are exemplary in their profession. She is proud to have been part of the committee choosing the wonderful things nurses in our community have accomplished.
JUDGE BECKY ANGLIN
Becky Anglin MSN, RN is currently the RN to BSN Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor and Healthcare Services Department Chair at MSU B. She has been in the health care field for the last 16 years and spent 12 of those years as a nurse in various positions. For the last 6 years, Becky has been working in nursing education at MSU B. Her love in nursing education has made for a successful 6 years in teaching. She is also currently working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership.
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES DIANE JONES MSN, NP Billings Clinic At Yellowstone Surgery Center,
we make it better.
Our CLINICAL DIRECTORS
make our staff their priority,
SO THAT OUR STAFF CAN
make our patients
JONNA LAMB, OR Nursing Director, DOWNTOWN TERESA HARRIS, Senior Director of Clinical Operations & Quality SARAH WALD, Pre-Post Op Nursing Director, WEST SARA WHITE, OR Nursing Director, WEST SUE DAHL, Pre-Post Op Nursing Director, DOWNTOWN
Photo: Matthew Struck
the priority. yellowstonesurgerycenter.com
We Make it Better, now in two locations. West Location off Zoo Drive Exit
1739 Spring Creek Ln, Suite 100, Billings, MT 59102
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Downtown Location on St. Vincent Healthcare Campus
1144 N 28th St, Billings, MT 59101
DIANE JONES
A
s a palliative care provider, Diane Jones is the embodiment of care and concern in the medical profession. Besides being present and engaged, she is the patient’s biggest supporter. Jones uses every opportunity to understand her patients by learning where they are coming from emotionally and spiritually. There is never a doubt a patient’s needs have been met if they were on nurse Jones’ watch. Jones is warm, friendly and puts patients at ease. She knows how to connect with the patient and make them feel comfortable. Patients appreciate the meaningful conversation and that it’s not another high-level specialist discussion. “I come from a small town and enjoy visiting with people and building genuine emotional connections,� Jones said. “I have found it to be
MSN, NP Billings Clinic‌
easy, in part, because of my husband’s unfailing love for me and others . . . it makes it effortless to care for patients.� Jones was always drawn to adult and internal medicine. In fact, she worked part-time as a nursing assistant in her local nursing home when she was younger. While in her master’s degree program, Jones worked with an oncologist who performed palliative care. It was during this time she realized her true purpose and direction. “I’ve always enjoyed taking care of adults and the elderly,� Jones said. “In palliative care, I’m entering sacred space with patients and doing what I can to walk with them through very difficult times in their lives. I know how important it is to be there for people.�
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? One of the most amazing things I’ve been able to participate in was traveling to Oman and being a part of training for physicians, nurses and pharmacists in palliative care and spreading that information around the world.
CONGRATULATIONS to all nurses and Nurse of the Year winners
Thank you for the many ways you share your caring expertise.
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES JUNE MINCHOW BSN, RN, CEN Powell Valley Healthcare South Big Horn County Hospital
What attracted you to the nursing profession? “I feel like nursing is one of the best careers that you can enter. You can go everywhere from there. If you don’t want to be a floor nurse, you can be an Emergency Room nurse or a pediatric nurse or an OB nurse. There is something in there for everybody and it fills a place in your heart that can’t be filled by anything else.” 6
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JUNE MINCHOW P
owell, Wyoming is a close-knit community where everybody knows your name. The local hospital, Powell Valley Healthcare, is comprised of 25 beds and six emergency room beds. Each patient is usually known by one of the EMTs or nurses. An EMT long before becoming a nurse, June Minchow was one of those faces a neighbor might encounter in the back of an ambulance. While working as an EMT, Minchow grew to love taking care of people and being responsive to emergencies in her community. However, she thought becoming a nurse
BSN, RN, CEN Powell Valley Healthcare South Big Horn County Hospital
would enable her to extend care a little longer. After all, emergency services are quick. A wife and mother of four children, Minchow often jokes that she became a nurse in self-defense. “I had very accident-prone children, and it was easier to become a nurse than to drag them to the emergency room,” she quipped. She has the both of best worlds in her current role of director of the emergency and critical care services, including the emergency department and emergency services. Due to the small size of the hospital, Min-
to nurse is to heal
BILLINGS
chow calls herself a ‘working director’ which allows her to pull shifts on the floor or take a run in an ambulance. Minchow continues to participate in training to expand her skills, while also being committed to her family, church and community responsibilities. In her more than 25 years of nursing and EMT services, she has touched the lives of many people, most she has known since childhood. With her calming presence, she puts patients at ease through their difficult injuries and illnesses.
B I L L I N G S
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES LAURA SORENSON BSN, RN, CMSRN Billings Clinic Dietary tech
(full or parT-TiMe)
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What is the best thing about your job? “As a nurse, when you look at the patient in the bed, to just know that nursing is a calling and you can’t drum it up; it has to be a burning desire that God puts in your soul to take care of that person. And I want to inspire others. If you have that passion, empathy, that driving in your heart, you should go for it. It’s so rewarding.”
$25,000 sign-on for full-time paid over 3 years new grads welcome
rn or LPn – meD nurse (full-TiMe)
competitive salary & benefits package including employer paid health insurance, life insurance, 4% 401k match, pto, Floating Holidays and extended sick leave. Additional benefits are available for purchase at a group rate.
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Physician (full-TiMe) ApplicAtions AvAilAble online At Applic
www.wheatlandmemorial.org www Quality heal healthcare close to home 8
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LAURA SORENSON R
aised in a Hutterite colony north of Roundup, Montana, Laura Sorenson was always helping at home with her four sisters. “I’ve always had a niche for helping others,” Sorenson said. “It’s so natural — it’s just who I am.” Homeschooled through the eighth grade, she was determined to pursue her dreams of helping others and enrolled in GED classes. Upon receiving her diploma, Sorenson became a licensed practical nurse and later earned her BSN. Studying and test-taking didn’t come easy for
her, but Sorenson persevered and accomplished her mission of becoming an RN. Today, she works at the Billings Clinic on the medical-surgical floor and has won an Outstanding Nurse Award and a Daisy Award and numerous nominations. Sorenson is often a preceptor for new nurses on the floor and is well-respected among her patients and peers. She reminds new nurses that the sweat, hard work and tears are worth it in the end. “It is so rewarding to see a patient leave the hospital and know I made a difference
BSN, RN, CMSRN Billings Clinic in someone’s life,” Sorenson said. “What matters is that I can make somebody smile.” She refers to her accomplishments as God-given talents. “I frequently think about Florence Nightingale who also believed it was her divine purpose to care for others,” she said. “She would sit at the patient’s bedside nursing them back to health.” Sorenson may not have Nightingales’ nickname of ‘the lady with the lamp’; however, she’s providing her own light of hope.
for serving our community well 3000 King Avenue West 896-3000 • 1-800-473-2282 M-F 8-8 • SAT 9-7 www.DennyMenholt.com Sunday, May 5, 2019
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES JEANNINE BRANT Ph.D., APRN, AOCN, FAAN, Billings Clinic What is the best thing about your job? “When I was a new nurse, I think we were kind of naughty. Anyway, it was the fourth of July. And one of the charge nurses and I decided that the patients needed to go and see the fireworks. Well we had this route up to the helipads, so we popped popcorn. We brought sodas. We had our immunist suppress patients in masks, and we wheeled everybody up to the helipad. And we had a fourth of July party up there. It was a blast. We had to ask for forgiveness the next day, but it was so worth it.”
a heartfelt
th nks for all you do
4045 Avenue B Billings, MT 406-651-9355 fullerfamilymedicine.com
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JEANNINE BRANT
W
hen Jeannine Brant was in nursing school, specifically clinical trials in the oncology unit, she noticed there was a large focus on relationship-building with patients and families. This psychosocial aspect of cancer care fulfilled her yearning to bond with her patients. Likewise, the IV lines and equipment seemed to satisfy the left side of her brain. “I enjoy listening to my patients and getting to know them better,” Brant said. “Behind every patient is a story . . . I get to know who they were before they had cancer.” In addition to being an advanced practice registered oncology certified nurse, Brant travels nationally and internationally for various speaking engagements. She also sits
Ph.D., APRN, AOCN, FAAN Billings Clinic
on a few editorial boards and assists with writing and editing white papers and textbooks. “I’ve had the privilege of being headlined in national conferences, mentioned in magazines like Forbes, and even been a guest on CNN talking about pain management and palliative care,” Brant said. “I was also asked to speak at the Zofran launch meeting and share success stories after working on clinical trials.” Brant also travels for the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). The ONS is a professional association of more than 39,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Each year at the ONS Congress,
oncology nurses, researchers and employers who change lives and better their profession are honored with prestigious awards. “I was recently in Anaheim, California for the annual ONS Congress,” Brant said. “I received the Connie Henke Yarbro Excellence in Cancer Nursing Mentorship Award. Connie is a star in the ONS, and I am honored to receive the award on behalf of her name.” Not only does Brant demonstrate excellence by mentoring others in oncology nursing, she is changing the face of cancer throughout Billings and America’s health system. Brant is recognized as one of 2,400 fellows in the American Academy of Nursing; she is only one of eight fellows in Montana who hold those credentials.
TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL with the MSU Billings
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Nursing is a profession where learning never stops. If you are a nurse who holds an Associate’s degree then this program is for you! Earn your Bachelor’s degree in three short semesters. The program can be done full-time or part-time, and is taught in an asynchronous style. It is tailored to meet the busy schedules of working nurses. Learn more or apply today
msubillings.edu/BSN
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES BEV KOVANDA BSN, RN Stillwater Billings Clinic
T
hroughout her 39 years of service, Bev Kovanda has worked for the same facility — Stillwater Billings Clinic. Located in a rural area, the health care organization is a combination of a physician clinic and a critical access hospital with 25 beds or less. Her first 10 years were spent as a floor nurse, followed by the director of nursing position which she held for 25 years. For the last four years, she has assumed the role of director of quality. “I have loved the diversity and opportunities to advance,” Kovanda said. “I enjoy caring for the various members of our small community.” Kovanda remembers her first inclination of the nursing profession during high
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school. Her mother was a large influence as she was also a nurse. She cares beyond limits. Her unwavering commitment and understanding of patients have no doubt encouraged a growth throughout Stillwater Billings Clinic. Kovanda has a unique ability to show compassion and understanding to each patient. She also trains and encourages new nurses, serves as a role model for seasoned nurses and makes an impact on individuals in the community. “I tell the new nurses to keep their eyes wide open and accept any challenge that comes their way,” Kovanda said. She continues to push the nurses to do more and to step outside their comfort zones.
Do you remember the first person you treated? “No, I do not. However, I remember the first baby I delivered by myself. The doctor was in Absarokee, which is fourteen miles away. Dad came in, said my wife’s gonna have a baby. I asked him where she was. He said she was in the truck. So, we had to go out and get her. We got her right inside the door and we had a baby.”
MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES NICOLE LAUWERS RN SCL Health - St. Vincent Multiple Sclerosis Center
S
urgery has always fascinated registered nurse Nicole Lauwers, specifically surgery of the brain and spine. While she thoroughly enjoyed working in geriatrics as a licensed practical nurse, she was looking for something a little more challenging. After becoming a registered nurse, she got her feet wet as a neurosurgery office nurse and worked with some of the most respected neurosurgeons in the community. According to Lauwers, there is never a dull moment in neurosurgery. Challenge accepted. For the last six years, Lauwers has been working as an infusion nurse at St. Vincent Multiple Sclerosis Center (MS) ─ the only infusion center in the state. The goal at the center is to help people with MS manage their symptoms and lead more productive lives. Nurse Lauwers is extremely passionate about her patients and strives to provide
them with the utmost respect and care while they receive their infusions. “Nicole is the brightest and most compassionate nurse that I have ever worked with,” said Kris French, MD, MSCS, medical director at St. Vincent Multiple Sclerosis Center. “She always acts in the patients’ best interest, and they adore her. Nicole is the biggest reason why St. Vincent Multiple Sclerosis Center is so successful. She adds a therapeutic level to our MS treatment model that is crucial to our patients.” Lauwers said she actually feels like a nurse in this position, noting it’s her favorite job ever. “I am largely removed from the paperwork and extremely involved in my patients’ lives,” she said. “I not only use the technical aspect of nursing, but I’m able to talk and engage with people.” Being hooked up to an IV drip for an hour
What is the best thing about your job? “The best thing about my job is that I actually get to talk to people. I get to sit and listen. I not only get to put in IVs which I enjoy doing but I actually get to listen to their stories and help them out. You know once when I was working in a nursing home and I was working with a podiatrist to help all the patients to get their nails cut and things like that and I did not put on my safety goggles so as soon as I turned around to help the patient I had a toenail fly in my eye. That will definitely teach you to put on your safety glasses!”
does not necessarily sound enjoyable; however, Lauwers has a way of making the time go by fast. So fast, that many patients actually look forward to their next appointment.
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES JENNIFER KECK BSN, RN, CLC, CPH RiverStone Health
N U R S I N G / A L L I E D H E A LT H
Be determined. Don’t relent. Choose opportunity. Do you remember the first person that you treated?
Receive a high quality education where faculty and staff know you by name. Choose a school with character.
“I remember my first patient as a home visitor. They were a family getting ready to have their first baby, but they were in financial turmoil at that time and I was able to work with them to get a home and have a nice healthy, successful baby.”
Registered Nurse A.D.N. Practical Nurse (LPN) Allied Health A.S. Nursing Assistant (CNA) Medical Assistant Certificate (CMA) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic & Advanced Phlebotomy
nwc.edu/nursing
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JENNIFER KECK J
ennifer Keck was working as a family and consumer sciences high school teacher [home economics] but always yearned to work with moms and babies one day. After she became pregnant with her daughter, that spark was rekindled and put into action. “The human body and what it can do is amazing to me,” Keck said. “Giving birth to my daughter only confirmed what I wanted to do, which was work with moms and babies, especially moms who are at a disadvantage or need additional assistance.” Keck made that dream a reality. Today, she works at RiverStone Health, a provider
BSN, RN, CLC, CPH RiverStone Health
of personal and public health services. As a nurse manager, Keck oversees the NurseFamily Partnership Program and the KidsFirst Program. The Nurse-Family Partnership is a voluntary, free service for first-time moms that provides valuable knowledge and support throughout pregnancy up until age 2. “Our nurses go out to the homes to assess the entire situation, not just medical care,” Keck said. “We take note of their food situation, housing condition, check for substance abuse or signs of mental health problems, etc., … and then we develop interventions.”
The KidsFirst program partners with the Child and Family Services Division to ensure children in foster care receive coordinated health care services. Keck not only loves the clients she works with but she also enjoys helping the nurses develop into the practice of learning how to work with clients and to arrive at home visits with an open mind and heart. “Jennifer is passionate about children, families, new moms and her nursing team. She is an invaluable asset to our community and to RiverStone Health,” said Heather Fink, director of health provision division in public health services.
is celebrating our nurses!
r a o f C e a e f use f o C
Thank you to our Nurses! Sunday, May 5, 2019
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES CELESTE BONNECARRERE MSN, RN, CMSRN, ONC SCL Health - St. Vincent Healthcare
Swing Bed/Extended Care RN or lPN
Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Full-Time (with Sign-On Bonus) or PRN Position
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What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
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Health, Dental, Life Insurance, 401(k) with Match, PTO & Sick Leave, etc.
“The best advice I’ve been given I think is believe in yourself and surround yourself with people that believe in you. Even if you only have a couple good friends, it can make all the difference in the world.”
Print application from www.bighornhospital.org/careers SENd APPliCATiON ANd RESumE TO:
EOE
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Big Horn Hospital Association 17 N Miles Ave, Hardin, MT 59034
CELESTE BONNECARRERE A
ge was not a deterrent for Celeste Bonnecarrere when she decided to enroll in nursing school at age 47. After homeschooling four children, she needed a career to support herself as a single mom. “I was definitely considered a nontraditional student,” Bonnecarrere said. “It was difficult going back to school later in life. I had been a stay-at-home mom for 25 years.” As a new nurse, she can remember applying for a number of positions and was relieved and grateful when she was hired for the inpatient surgical floor. “I was an older nurse with zero experience, and this boss took a chance on me,”
she said. “As I have progressed, I have been fortunate enough to work for several bosses that believe in me ─ it makes all the difference in the world.” Bonnecarrere quickly moved on to orthopedic neurosurgery. After earning a Master of Science in nursing, she applied for and accepted a clinical supervisor position in the observation unit. Her strength and perseverance continue to open up doors of opportunity. She has recently accepted a position in the quality department where she will learn how to be a quality specialist. With only five years of experience un-
MSN, RN, CMSRN, ONC SCL Health - St. Vincent Healthcare der her belt, she has achieved tremendous growth. Bonnecarrere has proved to be a hardworking leader fully capable of providing patient satisfaction, supervising staff and working as an integral part of a team. She is committed to making a difference in the lives of every patient she comes into contact with. “Celeste is a prime example of excellence in the nursing profession,” said Lorraine Glock, RN, BSN, PCCN, RRT, nurse manager-observation unit. She is a caring and compassionate person with a positive attitude. Celeste goes above and beyond in all she does.”
FROM OUR NURSES TO YOURS,
ThaNk You
Nurses
WE SALUTE AND APPRECIATE YOU!
For all You do, aNd all You are
Home Care for Independent Living
406-794-3313 • visitingangels.com/billings
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355977.0419
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MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES JOYCE ENGELHARDT RN, ONC SCL Health St. Vincent Healthcare
A
small stature of four 4 feet, 9 inches never once stopped Joyce Simko Engelhardt from pursuing her calling to serve others. Volunteering as a candy striper and later heading off to nursing school were merely confirmations of God’s plan for her life. Upon graduating from high school, Engelhardt enlisted [or tried] in the Army but was turned away due to the height restrictions. “I always joked I could easily identify 10-year-old boys because I was the same height as many of them,” said Engelhardt. After nursing school, Engelhardt worked on the medical-surgical floor where she built a career and a family. However, she couldn’t
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resist, and applied for the Army Reserves where she knew her height would be waived. Retiring in 2013 after nearly 30 years of service, Engelhardt is now considered a veteran and is in her 43rd year of nursing at St. Vincent Healthcare. As a nurse in the orthopedic department, she enjoys the variety of patients she serves. “Everyone has a story before they arrive at St. Vincent’s,” said Engelhardt. “Besides their injuries, I don’t know what else is going on in the patient’s life. My goal is to care for each patient unconditionally because ultimately, I see patients at their worst. I take it as a challenge. I’m able to turn their mood around and build a rapport with the patient.”
What is the best thing about your job? “That’s a loaded question – the best thing I love about my job. Knowing that I make a difference in people – when they’re probably at the very worst in their life many times.”
MEET THIS YEAR’S
TOP NURSES CARLY MAY BSN, RN, CCHP Yellowstone County Detention Facility Correctional Health Partners
T
eaching special education students in a classroom setting and caring for inmates behind bars require many of the same qualities and characteristics. Nurse Carly May has done both. Today, she works as a certified correctional health professional at Yellowstone County Detention Facility. “I’m able to perform a wide range of care and services at the facility,” May said. “I find the most satisfaction when I’m interacting and getting to know the inmates [patients]. They are at the lowest of low, and I try providing a little insight into their mental or physical health with the intention of offering a glimmer of hope and alternative paths.” May was in special education for a short time, but couldn’t ignore her urge to pursue a career in health care, so she went to school and
became a certified nursing assistant. However, she longed for more interaction and responsibility with patients so she continued her education once again and became a licensed practice nurse. May’s last trip to school earned her a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Montana State University Billings. According to May, working in correctional health was never on her radar during nursing school until she visited a prison during the mental health clinical rotation. She admits she was terrified and unsure of what to expect. But by the end of the day, she had found her niche. She turned in an application the very next day. May is not only dedicated to her job as a nurse, but she is a full-time mom of five children and the wife of a miner working out
Our program had more than 215 nominations this year. How does it feel to be one of the ten honorees? “I never thought I would be sitting here. As a matter of fact, I had a nurse that I nominated for this and voted for. There’s so many people that are so deserving to be sitting in this spot where I am. And I’m thankful to know so many people. I’m humbled and I’m so honored.”
of state. She treats her coworkers as family, spends as much time cooking dinner as she does charting, and regularly stops at an elderly neighbor’s house for a wellness check. She always comes home with a smile even after pouring her heart and soul into others.
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© ADOBE STOCK
CRITICAL CARE IN THE AIR
W
hen accidents and lifethreatening injuries occur, time is of the essence between the scene and medical care. That’s when air transport staffed by trained medical professionals arrive and their care in the air makes a critical difference. Flight nurses fulfi ll that crucial role, making sure patients reach the hospital safely and stabilized on board. In-fl ight medical care is essentially trauma care in the air and these highly trained professionals handle these emergencies in high-stress environments with limited resources. Many fl ight nurses come from
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a military background, where their experience caring for the injured in war-torn battlefield prepares them for the situations they may face treating people in critical situations. Others take to the air from traditional nursing schools or after time spent in hospitals. But like their counterparts in the ER, they perform the routine functions of preparing medical charts and background for the physicians who will treat them. In the often jarring environment of in-fl ight care, most often in helicopters, fl ight nurses perform triage, emergency medical care and act as a calming influ-
ence to what can be a terrifying experience for their patients. Their primary objective is to keep patients alive to arrive while also keeping a team on the ground aware of what to expect when the air ambulance arrives. “I started as a clinical tech at the hospital straight out of college,” said Karen Thurmond, a chief fl ight nurse for Orlando Health in Florida in a 2012 interview for Orlando Magazine. “And I saw the fl ight team and the critical care nurses, and I enjoyed the high adrenaline and the medical services aspect of what the fl ight team did. So I went to nursing school and made that my goal.’’
Thurmond spent the majority of her nursing career providing in-fl ight care and said her time was almost evenly divided between responding to trauma situations, such as car accidents, and caring for patients transferring from hospital to hospital. “We have equipment to deal with any emergencies,” she told the magazine. “We have lifesaving interventions to get somebody breathing again, to get their heart started. We have an arsenal of medications for pain. Oftentimes, it’s just putting a pillow under their knees. We try to work with patients to fi nd out what’s best for them.”
TAKE TIME TO
THANK A NURSE A
ny day is a good day to celebrate America’s nurses. After all, every day patients enter medical offices and facilities and spend more time with nurses than any other health care provider. But since 1993, the American Nurses Association has set aside a week to celebrate and elevate the nursing profession. This year, National Nursing Week is set for May 6-12 and features a host of events to honor the four million nurses across the country for the work they do. A special day set aside to honor nurses began in 1965 with Nurse’s Day, with the intent of raising public awareness of the important role and contributions nurses make to society, according to Nurses.com. An unofficial Nurses Week stretches back a decade earlier in 1954 to mark the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. Then, as now, nurses are on the front lines of a caring profession. On-duty around the clock 24/7, nurses are the caregivers we most rely on in almost any health care environment. “One of my favorite sayings about nursing is our ordinary is actually extraordinary. We provide an amazing service to the public, whether in hospitals, clinics, long-term care or in the community,” said Jennifer Mensik, a nurse who wrote about how she celebrates her calling in an article on Nurse. com. “Being a nurse is not something we turn off completely at any time. It doesn’t stop at the end of our shift like many other professions,” Mensik wrote. “We are there to help at a moment’s notice because we care. That perspective of caring is always with us and we believe we are doing what any other person might do in the same situation — that it was our job.” Unfortunately, there’s a nursing
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shortage. According to a report in the American Journal of Medical Quality, a shortage of registered nurses is projected to spread across the nation through 2030, with the South and West begin most affected. On the upside, registered nursing
is listed among the top occupations for growth opportunity into the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In other words, there’s never been a better time to enter this challenging and rewarding career field. Nurses are truly the unsung heroes
of the health care profession. They are dedicated to healing, compassionate care and touch the lives of millions with their devotion and skills. So if you encounter a special event in your community during National Nursing Week, don’t hesitate to attend and thank them.
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D
MEN BATTLE STEREOTYPES IN NURSING
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 outearn 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
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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.”
THE IMPORTANT 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
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. 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 injuries 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.
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21 Awards. 1 Hospital. Quality Matters.
St. Vincent Healthcare is proud to have received 21 Quality and Safety Awards from Healthgrades, Leapfrog and CMS. We’re also proud of the nurses who helped us achieve them. In honor of Nurses Week, we proudly celebrate the efforts of the many nurses who make what we do at St. Vincent Healthcare possible. Working with our doctors, advanced care professionals and staff, they do an exceptional job in meeting the health and wellness needs of the individuals and families across our region. Quality Matters. And quality is found at St. Vincent Healthcare.
FIVE STAR RATED
svh.org/Awards
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