2023 Nurses - The Heart of Health Care

MAY 2023

NURSES

the heart of health care

NURSES the heart of health care

Nurses are the heart and soul of hospitals, clinics, schools, residential facilities, in-home care, and much more. Nurses educate, console, relate, comfort and endear themselves to patients and families. Nursing is a demanding profession that requires extraordinary skill and compassion.

That rings true even more in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses can find themselves on the front lines of a worldwide health crisis at a moment’s notice.

These tireless professionals deserve every bit of recognition they will receive during National Nurses Week, which kicked o this week. Locally, the Globe Gazette took part in honoring the area’s own nurses with a contest, this special section and an awards event scheduled at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at Columbia Club (formerly the Knights of Columbus), 551 S. Taft Ave.

The 2023 honorees are:

 Brian Ayersman, Community Health Center, Mason City

 Sheri Boelman, Rehabilitation Center of Belmond

 Barb Brosdahl, Good Shepherd Health Center

 Kelly Brown, Country Meadow Place

 Nicole Heifner, Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond and Clarion

 Paula Kruger, Gabrielson Clinics for Women

 Amy Luick, Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond

 Tricia Polzin, Belmond Family Practice Clinic Pediatrics

 Brittney Shafer, Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics, Clarion

 Pam Young, Mason City Clinic

 Lisa Welper, Mason City Clinic

 Ashley Wilkinson, Iowa Specialty Hospitals, Curries, Mason City

Thank you to our sponsors

Presenting sponsor: Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics

MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center

Community Health Center

Country Meadows Place

Good Shepherd Inc.

North Iowa Area Community College

National Nurses Week

METIS EMERGINRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS

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. Celebrations honoring nurses across the globe figure to take on greater meaning in 2023 as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which countless nurses have died from the virus while many 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.

Jackel

Lindquist

BRIAN AYERSMAN

Working with veterans fueled desire to work in mental health care

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Brian Ayersman was presented with an unexpected life obstacle, and in it found a calling to help others.

Ayersman is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the Community Health Center in Mason City. He got his associate’s degree from Mercy College of Health Sciences, his bachelor’s at Chamberlain University and his master’s at Walden University.

In his position, Ayersman works with people of all ages to diagnose their mental health struggles and find them the proper medication plan.

“We’re faced with so many challenges with mental health on top of it,” Ayersman said. “Depression is so hard to deal with. We all have it, it’s just to what level, and can we manage it?

“It’s helping people get over that hump and live a productive life where they can keep employment, keep their family together, spend time with their kids and have the energy to do so.”

Ayersman came into the field when he was 38 after the factory he was working at eliminated his job.

“It was more of a calling than a plan,” said Ayersman. “I don’t remember one day in my life where I thought to myself, ‘I’d like to be a nurse.’ It was a calling that I didn’t question, and the next thing I knew, I was signing up for nursing school.”

During his undergrad years, his advisers encouraged him to go into mental health care. While studying, he worked at Veterans Administration of Central Iowa Health Care in Des Moines. Ayersman explained that working with veterans in this capacity was his way of serving the country.

One of the most memorable moments in Ayersman’s career occurred when one of his patients came in with suicidal thoughts and substance abuse. The veteran attributed his decision not to take his life to Ayersman, who had long conversations with him regarding life and his family.

According to Ayersman, when you

work in mental health care you must get to know people, including who they are, what’s important to them, their family situation and dynamics, their history, their entire lives.

Finding out this information will help a nurse truly understand what someone is going through and provide a proper diagnosis.

“You just never know how a simple conversation can affect a life,” Ayersman said.

His favorite part of his job is seeing people get better and lead better lives.

“I love seeing them get to live happy, productive lives, going from needing to see me once a week to not having to see me but every three months,” said Ayersman.

Ayersman recommends health care to anyone passionate about caring for others.

“The good thing about nursing is if you try it and you don’t like it, there are so many other paths that you can go down,” Ayersman said. “I don’t think you know what your passion is until you sample a bunch of things.”

Community Health Center in Mason City

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN , FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE Bryan ayersman is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at the Community Health Center in Mason City.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

SHERI BOELMAN

She developed passion for nursing at a young age from her mother

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Sheri Boelman is the assistant director of nursing at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. She received her nursing degree from North Iowa Area Community College.

Boelman’s passion for health care began when she was in fifth grade. Her mother decided to start nursing school, and Boelman would sometimes attend classes with her.

“I just really loved the atmosphere,” said Boelman. “The care center my mom worked in was the one I work in, so I pretty much grew up here Taking care of the elderly is pretty much something I’ve always wanted to do ”

Boelman began working for the care center when she was still in high school, and after settling down with a family, she went to nursing school. Upon completion, she worked at an assisted living center and then at the local hospital.

“I always wanted to go back to the care center,” said Boelman. “I’ve worked for ABCM off and on for probably around 40 years.”

Boelman loves getting to know the residents, spending time with them, advocating for them and their families and taking care of the elderly in their final days.

“It’s just something that has been very near and dear to me,” Boelman said

She looks for ways to enhance residents’ lives and even speaks with the families about how things were at home before coming to the center to find ways to make them more comfortable

As the assistant director of nursing, Boelman assists with admissions and handles payments and auditing. She is also the infection preventionist and helps the staff out where needed.

The most memorable moment of Boelman’s career happened when she was still a CNA. She was caring for a resident who was close to dying. The family was unable to be with her during this time since the resident’s great-granddaughter was getting married

Rehabilitation Center of Belmond

The family asked Boelman to stay with her during her remaining time to ensure she was not alone.

“I was very close to the resident, and for the family to give me that honor to be there as a fill-in family member meant a

lot to me,” Boelman said Boelman recommends health care to those interested, especially long-term care, because she enjoys getting to know residents and experiencing their lives through them

“Sheri Boelman goes above and beyond for our residents and staff,” said Boelman’s co-worker, Alan Lahner. “ ... We can always count on Sheri to provide good care and use her critical thinking skills at all times ”

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN, FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE Sheri Boelman is the assistant director of nursing at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond.

BARB BROSDAHL

Good Shepherd nurse’s love is long-term care

MARY PIEPER

For the Globe Gazette

Barb Brosdahl, a care plan nurse at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, knew from a young age she wanted to work in long-term care.

“I really love old people,” said Brosdahl, who has been in nursing for 36 years. “That’s just what I do.”

Brosdahl, whose mother was a nurse at Trinity Hospital in Fort Dodge for many years, began working as a CNA at a nursing home when she was 15. After graduating as an LPN from Iowa Central Community College, she moved to Florida and worked mostly in long-term care for seven years.

Then she went back to Fort Dodge and worked at the Marian Home while returning to ICCC to become an RN. A year after she completed the program, she got a job at an orthopedic clinic and was there for a decade. However, Brosdahl missed longterm care, so she went back to it.

In October, she will celebrate her 10th anniversary of working at Good Shepherd.

Brosdahl said what she loves most about her job is the residents first and foremost, followed by their families and her co-workers.

“I’m not the person I am today without the people that I work with,” she said.

Brosdahl enjoys the flexibility she has with her care plan team.

“I like that every day is a new day,” she said. “I don’t do the same thing every day.”

For example, Wednesdays are her care review days, when she meets with residents’ family members. On other days, she admits new residents, meeting them and their families for the first time.

“We want their family members to leave knowing that they are being taken very well care of and they don’t have to worry about them,” Brosdahl said.

But when a resident is very sick it can be a challenge, she said. That’s why she stresses to family members that Good Shepherd has an open-door policy so they can come in at any time if they have concerns about their care.

Although the goal for many residents and their families is to get them back home, it doesn’t always work out that way,

Good Shepherd Health Center

according to Brosdahl. However, she said although it is sad to see resident reach the end of their lives, she feels privileged to make them as comfortable as possible. She advises rookie nurses to keep their options open.

“Take as many opportunities as you can to utilize your skills in different aspects of nursing to figure out what you want to do for your long-term career,” she said.

Heidi Hanson, a friend of Brosdahl’s, said she comes in early and stays late to

make sure the needs of her residents are being met and is always willing to help her team out.

“She has a giant heart and treats everyone with the same level of love and respect,” Hanson said.

Barb Brosdahl is a care plan nurse at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

VIRTUALNURSING

Experts weigh in on the joys and woes of telehealth

HUNTER BOYCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Telehealth has reached new heights in popularity following a workforce-crippling pandemic

That being said, not all health care heroes are behind the concept of virtual nursing.

According to a survey by NSI Nursing Solutions, registered nurse turnover stood at roughly 27% in 2022. Meanwhile, RN vacancy rates were at 17.1%. According to Medpage Today, all of those nursing vacancies have hit the health care industry with a growing knowledge gap. Virtual nursing is partially designed to close that gap

New nurses are “scared to death” of making a mistake when they first come onto the floor, Wendy Deibert, MBA, BSN, senior vice president of clinical solutions for Caregility, told Medpage Today.

“They’re thrown into a world with not a lot of experience behind them,” she said “So having a button on the wall where you can push... at a moment’s notice and get a nurse in that room to assist (is a huge help).

“I can zoom in to [see] exactly what they’re doing and give direction and support, so that they don’t feel like they’re out there on a limb by themselves. Not only does that boost their confidence, but it also really stops that turnover, because if they get too scared and do not feel supported, they’re not going to stay there ”

Steve Polega, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer of University of Michigan HealthWest, however, believes utilizing virtual nursing is a lost cause

“As a nurse of 25 years, I believe that nursing is a calling and a gift,” he told

Becker’s Hospital Review. “It is a huge responsibility to be trusted by our patients and families to be the eyes, ears and caring hands at the bedside. Nursing is all about connecting with people. To earn that trust, I believe that you need to be at the bedside Nursing is about that kind touch, that smile, those reassuring things that we can do for patients and families.

“It is very challenging to have that real human connection through virtual care. I think we all lose if this trend continues We have to optimize our technologies to make our nurses more efficient and effective, but at the end of the day, nurses put the humanity into care and need to be present and at the bedside ”

It’s a point that perhaps needs to be put to the test

works here.

More than 20,000 strong, our care providers and staff are the heartbeat of our health system. Joining MercyOne means joining a rich history of excellence in health care started more than 100 years ago

MercyOne packages great benefits with an even greater Mission offering competitive pay, ample opportunities for growth, a culture of caring, and living in one of the best states for safety and affordability

Find your calling at MercyOne.org/nursing.

DREAMSTIME

Registered nurse vacancy rates were at 17.1% in 2022.

KELLY BROWN

With 35 years nursing, she’s made big impact in short period of time

MARY PIEPER

For the Globe Gazette

Kelly Brown, the health care coordinator at Country Meadow Place, has only been there for a few months, but has already made a big impact.

Tyler Hedegard, community relations manager at the Mason City assisted living, memory care and respite care community,called her a“resident-first nurse” who truly cares about people and“handles everything in the most professional way possible.(She) makes sure all staff feel like a team.”

Brown,an RN,has been a nurse for more than 35 years. She said working with residents who have dementia or Alzheimer’s is rewarding because she can“be there for them and keep them safe and make sure that they get hugs. They love to hug, most of them.”

She also loves being there for their families.

“It’s so hard for the families when their loved ones are given this diagnosis and they can’t take care of them,” Brown said. The family members are grateful for the care their loved ones receive,according to Brown.

Brown received her CNA and LPN from North Iowa Area Community College and did her clinicals at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. She then moved to Colorado, finished her education there, and remained there as a nurse. She returned to North Iowa 16 years ago.

During her career, Brown has worked in cardiovascular care and been an ER nurse. She also spent some time as a hospice nurse, which she loved.

“It’s such a wonderful Medicare benefit for the transition into end of life,”she said. “I just kind of stayed in the geriatric care for this part of my career.”

Brown went from a hospice setting to assisted living at a time when it was starting to “really catch on as an option for families and their loved ones instead of a nursing home (because) they can have an apartment and stuff like that,”she said.

Brown said her advice to nurses who

Country Meadow Place

are just beginning their careers is to

“find what you love and specialize in it.

Don’t stay somewhere just because it’s a

good-paying job. There’s so many different areas of nursing that if you find what you love and what you excel at, it’s just

very satisfying and for your patients,your residents, yourself, your family, just find what you love to do and be the best at it.”

MARY PIEPER, FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE

Kelly Brown is health care coordinator at County Meadow Place.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

NICOLE HEIFNER

Inspiring female role models set her on path to a career in nursing

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Nicole Heifner found her inspiration to become a nurse in strong female role models, and is grateful to be part of such a fulfilling profession.

Heifner is an LPN for Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics of Belmond and Clarion, where she primarily works in general surgery but also assists with EMT, bariatrics and hand surgery.

Heifner started in health care at 16 when she was hired as a CNA. After graduating with her nursing degree,Heifner worked a couple of other jobs before starting at Iowa Specialty Clinics, where she has been for nearly 13 years

Inspired by her grandmother and aunt, who were both nurses,Heifner’s heart has always found solace in caring for others.

“Nursing is fulfilling to me; you’re always taking care of a life,” said Heifner “I do think that it takes a special person to do the career that we are in.”

She has served in many areas of nursing but prefers working in general surgery. She also has worked with many cancer patients, which has played a significant role throughout her career

“I feel like I’m helping them at a very unexpected and vulnerable part of their life when they find out that they possibly have a life-altering diagnosis,” said Heifner “I feel like I’m not only there for my patients at this time, but their family and giving them the compassion and care that they need.”

Heifner’s favorite part of her job is “touching the lives of her patients” and them impacting her “life along the way of caring for them.”

She also loves the variety of the job and how every day is different.

Times that stand out to Heifner are when patients hug and thank her for her care. Among her most memorable experiences is visiting cancer patients on the last day of their chemotherapy and seeing them off.She describes it as“bittersweet.”

“Nicole is amazing at what she does and is always putting her patients first,” said

Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics of Belmond and Clarion

Heifner’s friend Bianca Garcia “I did an internship with her last summer, and she was so helpful and willing to teach as I followed her for a few weeks. Her attitude is always positive and fun.”

Heifner shared a few tips for new nurses

that have helped her throughout her career in health care:

„ Always treat your patients like family.

„ Remember that one bad day doesn’t define your career.

„ Never be afraid to ask questions;

nurses are always learning.

“If your ultimate goal is to touch a life or make a difference in a life, I think nursing is great, but you also have to be strong because there’s always going to be a challenge,” Heifner said.

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN, FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE nicole Heifner is an LPn for Iowa Specialty Clinics of Belmond and Clarion.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

PAULA KRUGER

A nurse’s compassion for her as teenager led to a health-care career

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Paula Kruger had dreams of studying finance, but a teen pregnancy and the kind nurse who helped her through it gave her a new direction.

Kruger, of Belmond, is the nurse leader for the Gabrielson Clinics for Women, which has locations in Boone, Clarion, Clear Lake and Webster City. She has been in women’s health for 31 years. She graduated from Iowa Central in Fort Dodge with her associate’s degree in nursing and took the boards to become a registered nurse.

As a teenager, Kruger had dreams of going to Iowa State University to study finance, but at 16 she became pregnant. Unsure of what was to come, Kruger was scared. Luckily for her, her nurse was supportive and nurturing as she guided her throughout her pregnancy.

That event changed the course of Kruger’s life. She wished to be able to provide the same level of care and nurturing to other women that had been shown to her.

“It was really in that moment that I knew that I would be called to become a nurse and to be able to empower other people,” Kruger said.

As a nurse leader, Kruger oversees and advocates for the needs of more than 40 teammates and is still involved in patient care, including testing and scheduling and assisting with surgeries.

“She performs all of our urodynamics studies, coordinates all of our doctors’ surgeries, manages all of our employees and does it with an all-in approach that is unmatched in health care,” said Daniel Gabrielson, founder of the Gabrielson Clinics for Women.

In 2007, Gabrielson began looking for a full-time nurse to help him expand OBGYN specialty services to small communities. Kruger stepped up to the task, and the two worked together to establish four locations with over 40 employees.

“She worked in all aspects of our clinic and truly drove our growth,” Gabrielson said. “She is one of a kind, a true patient

Gabrielson Clinics for Women

advocate.”

Seeing her talent and compassion as an individual and a nurse, Gabrielson nominated Kruger for this award.

“I’ve always known he has had high respect in regard for me, but for him to take that step just meant a lot to me,” said Kruger.

One of Kruger’s favorite aspects of being a nurse is the nurse/patient interactions

that allow her to create a safe environment for patients. She tries to create a personal experience they will remember and serves as the liaison between patients and doctors.

“I have been blessed for 31 years of having patients come back to me where they remembered me from years ago and say to me, ‘You probably don’t remember me, but thank you for the care that you gave

me,’” Kruger said.

Kruger also loves the variety of health care and the opportunities one has to grow in the field, and recommends it to anyone considering it as a career.

“I feel so lucky that I really enjoy what I do, and I look forward to coming to work,” said Kruger.

“I feel like the business of caring for people is very rewarding.”

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN , FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE Paula Kruger is the nurse leader for the Gabrielson Clinics for Women.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

AMY LUICK

She was sure a career in health care was right for her from the start

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Amy Luick started working in a hospital as a high school student, and knew from the start a career in health care was the right road for her.

Luick is a registered nurse for Belmond Community Hospital and has been there for 17 years.

Luick started in health care as a direct support professional for what is now Mosaic.She loved the job and decided to pursue a degree in nursing from North Iowa Area Community College. A few years later, Luick began working at Belmond Community Hospital.

When Luick first started at the hospital, the nurses covered all areas of health care, providing them with diverse knowledge of the field. This also allowed Luick to have more sympathy for co-workers and develop better relationships with them.

“What makes Amy stand out and worthy of this recognition isn’t her many years of nursing experience,highly developed nursing skills/knowledge or even her compassion for her patients,” said Luick’s co-worker, Monica Halverson. “What does make Amy stand out is her passion for teaching and willingness to share her vast knowledge with anyone interested in learning.”

When the hospital moved to a new location, Luick was picked to work in the emergency room.

“To work in the ER, you need to have the skill level, and you need to have the disposition for it Not everybody can do it,” said Luick. “You need to be able to make important decisions accurately and quickly. Everybody says we are a different breed.”

Luick further explained that when there aren’t patients to care for, they clean and restock, but ultimately, there isn’t any planning because they don’t know what will come through the door.

“We thrive like that in chaos,” Luick said.

Her favorite part of working in health

care is the camaraderie with her coworkers and patients.

Since the hospital resides in a small community, the patients are often the staff’s friends and family

Two moments stick out for Luick from within her career. One was when she and the hospital staff rallied together to fundraise for a co-worker diagnosed with cancer, and the other was when they had

a pediatric emergency.

“They closed the clinic, and every single provider was here to save that kid,” said Luick. “That was the most important thing going on in this hospital, and I know that a lot of places do what is good for the many, but we were going to do whatever we could to save one life. That’s what health care is.”

For those unsure if health care is the

right career path,Luick reminds them that there are unlimited opportunities due to the field’s diversity. One should not dismiss the option because of the downsides.

“I’m not going to say that health care is all sunshine and rainbows,because it isn’t always, but it’s rewarding,” Luick said. “I leave work knowing that I make a difference every day. What I do is important every single day”

Belmond Community Hospital

Amy Luick is a registered nurse for Belmond Community Hospital and has been there for 17 years

TRICIA POLZIN

A passion for children led her to best job ever

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN

For the Globe Gazette

Tricia Polzin has always had a passion for children.

She began her college career as an education major, and after student teaching, Polzin realized that was not the field for her. She had considered the possibility of nursing as a career before, so she decided to switch to health care.

“I have always had a love of kids, so that’s why I thought that if I loved kids, I should just go into education, and then I realized that was not for me,” Polzin said.

Polzin is an RN for Belmond Family Practice Clinic Pediatrics. She received her degree from Allen College School of Nursing in Waterloo and has been a nurse for 28 years.

Polzin has worked in adult medicine at points in her career but always finds her way back to pediatrics. In her job, Polzin sees patients 18 and under, with many of her tasks related to immunizations and patient and parent education.

One of her favorite parts of her job is when she prepares to leave the room, and the children want to hug her, call her “grandma” or tell her they love her.

“I feel like I give so many shots a day, and I feel like I hurt kids a lot, but for them to trust me enough to call me grandma or say I love you, they must trust me a lot,” said Polzin. “It’s very sweet.”

However, this trust has to be built. Polzin develops a relationship with the children she cares for and their families. She often uses fruit snacks as rewards and toys as distractions. Polzin also keeps up with popular kids’ shows to bond with the children.

“She will go above and beyond for her patients,” said Polzin’s colleague, Haley Blakesley. “Tricia is always there to help out her co-workers and always smiling. We have never seen her frazzled or stressed out, even on super busy days.”

According to Polzin, pediatric nurses must have patience and be able to calm parents down, communicate at a child’s level and stay calm.

“I spend a lot of time on the floor play-

Belmond Family Practice Clinic Pediatrics

ing with kids and running down the hallway chasing kids,” said Polzin. “Most of my best friends are five and under.”

Polzin also loves hearing the children talk and share their stories. She often finds

herself laughing and telling colleagues about her experiences.

According to Polzin, her profession keeps her young, and she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“This is like the best job, hands-down, the best profession and best specialty ever,” Polzin said. “I love my job. Every day is something different; every day, I laugh about something. It’s just the best.”

KAYLEE SCHUERMANN , FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE

Tricia Polzin is an Rn for Belmond Family Practice Clinic Pediatrics.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

BRITTNEY SHAFER

ALEXANDER SCHMIDT

Globe Gazette

Brittney Shafer knows childbirth can be one of the most rewarding things in life, and potentially the most stressful.

As far as her job as a labor/delivery nurse goes, “Providing care for your patients in that crucial time has to be most important,” Shafer says.

Shafer works at Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics in Clarion, and is one of 12 nurses honored during National Nurses Week by the Globe Gazette.

Shafer, who attended North Iowa Area Community College, earned her nursing certificate in 2008 and completed an RN to BSN program through Grand Canyon University in November 2020. Shafer has been with Iowa Specialty since 2011.

“Brittney is always pushing to do what she believes is best for the patient and always listening to what the patient wants. She is never in a bad mood and wears a smile on her face daily.Brittney is the kind of nurse I dream to be one day,” wrote Michellynn Reiter,who nominated Shafer for the honor.

“The people that I work with, mutual respect makes work easy” says Shafer.

Jennifer Mewes, OB department leader at the hospital, praised Shafer, saying “Brittney has been a staple in our OB department for a long time. [We’re] glad she’s getting the recognition she deserves.”

Shafer started her nursing career in Charles City, but has spent the last 12 years in Clarion, sharing an acreage outside of Kanawha with her husband, Luke, and three kids The family’s free time is spent at West Hancock sporting events and caring for their two miniature western heritage cows, two Nigerian dwarf goats, chickens, and miniature donkey.

“Some of the best times are when your coworkers are your patients. We have a young group of nurses, most of them are moms themselves. One would go on maternity leave while the other was coming off”

Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics

Shafer and the team at Iowa Specialty Hospitals’ various locations delivered more than 600 babies last year, and are on track to beat that record this year, compared to what Shafer says was “around 100 per year when I first started out.”

The yearly increase in babies has led to the need for Clarion’s Maternity Center

to grow by an additional three new rooms, with construction underway and scheduled for completion this fall/winter. This will bring the OB department up to a total of eight beds along with new state-of-the art equipment that will improve the quality of care.

“It’s one of the best times of their [patient’s] lives, but there’s a lot of stress,

so providing care for the patient in that crucial time has to be most important,” says Shafer.

Alexander Schmidt is an education and general assignment reporter with the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at alexander. schmidt@globegazette.com or 641-4210527

‘Always pushing to do what she believes is best for the patient’

COURTESY PHOTO

Brittney Shafer, labor/delivery nurse at Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics in Clarion, holds newborn Thomas James Reynolds, born at the hospital four days prior on April 4.

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

The role nurses play in preventing infection has never been more clear than it has been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set out to provide free resources and additional training for health care workers so that they can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. They’re calling it Project Firstline and it brings together more than 75 healthcare,academic andpublichealthpartnerstohelpfrontline health care workers protect their patients, their coworkers and themselves from infectious disease threats.

The free resources come in a variety of formats and the CDC said they are designed“toempowerandenablehealthcare

workers to think critically about infection control, using adult learning principles, educational best practices, CDC recommendations and the science that informs them.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it made the medical world even more aware of the gaps in infection control knowledge andpracticeinhealthcaresettingsnationwide. Project Firstline is an attempt to close those gaps.

Listening to health care workers

The CDC committed to developing the

resources hand-in-hand with health care workers,recognizing their knowledge and expertise. They asked them how they did theirjobandworkedwiththemratherthan dictating policy to them.

Theyalsomadeitaprioritytoprovideall of their content to all health care workers regardless of previous education, background knowledge or job status.

Respecting time and bandwidth

Nurses work long hours and have little time available for training, especially outside of work hours. They’re often exhausted and after these past several years, many are on the verge of burnout and almost all have experienced trauma in the workplace

With this in mind, content is delivered inbite-sizedsegmentstailoredforpractice anddesignedtobeintegratedintothework day.Inanefforttomeethealthcareworkers where they are, it teaches the why behind infection control practices.

The information has been translated

into Spanish and several Asian languages

Training materials and educational resources are available in many different formats, recognizing the diverse needs and learning preferences of health care nurses. They include in-person training, online training, videos, infographics, training toolkits and interactive tools.

Project Firstline accomplishments

In the first two years since it has launched,ProjectFirstlineanditspartners have created more than 200 educational products and training materials on health care infection control It has hosted more than750educationaleventsreachingmore than 65,000 health care workers. Their various platforms have received more than 84 million views.

Nurses can sign up for the Project Firstline newsletter or access educational materials online

PAM YOUNG

She is ‘the glue that holds clinic together’

MARY PIEPER

For the Globe Gazette

When Pam Young first enrolled at North Iowa Area Community College, her initial plan was to major in accounting.

However, she said she discovered “I wanted to do something where you interact more with people.”

Young,who later transferred to the University of Iowa, has now been a nurse for more than 40 years all of it in Mason City

Young,an RN with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, spent five and a half years at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. She’s been at the Mason City Clinic for nearly 36 years, first in orthopedics and now in the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department.

She said what she likes best about nursing,in addition to interacting with people, is “you learn new things every day” because health care is always changing.

Young has seen her fair share of changes during her lengthy career. She said one of the biggest was going from paper charts to electronic ones.

One of the challenges of being a nurse is the hours aren’t always traditional ones, according to Young.

“I am fortunate that I have a supportive family,” she said. “That’s very important. Even in a clinic, the hours aren’t aways 8 to 5.”

Young also feels lucky to have been able to start her career on a general medical/ cardiac floor of a hospital.

“It was a great thing to do because I was able to apply what I learned in school,”she said. “It was a floor with a lot of different things,a lot of different types of patients”

Young said switching to the Mason City Clinic was a great fit for her, largely because of the doctors she has worked with.

“They are top-notch physicians,” she said.“They value their staff.I love coming to work in large part because of who I work with. I entirely respect them. It has made my job very rewarding. The co-workers I’ve had have also been excellent.”

Young said she would advise nurses just starting out to find an area that fits them and to “recognize all levels of health de-

Mason City Clinic

livery are important.”

Dr. Tim Dettmer, an ENT physician at the Mason City Clinic, said Young is “the glue to our clinic”and has touched countless lives over the years

“She is dedicated to excellent patient care and customer service,” he said. “Her attention to detail ensures that patients receive quality care. She will not go home until all patient care issues are resolved.

Her professionalism, work ethic, and joyful personality make her an excellent colleague and role model. … Pam is very deserving of recognition for her wonderful nursing career”

MARY PIEPER, FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE

Pam young has been at the Mason City Clinic for nearly 36 years

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

LISA WELPER

She’s found her niche as a surgical nurse

MARY PIEPER

For the Globe Gazette

Lisa Welper, who has been a nurse at the Mason City Clinic for 25 years, loves working with surgery patients

“The majority of the time you are able to help them and they feel better,” she said That’s why Welper became a nurse in the first place.

“I just like helping people,” she said.

Welper, who grew up on a farm near Austin, Minnesota, began working as a nurse’s aid at a care center when she was in high school. She received her RN and her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Winona State University.

She worked at a hospital in Des Moines for three years before moving to North Iowa and becoming a nurse at what is now MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center for a couple of years. Then she moved to Waterloo and worked as a surgical nurse at Covenant Medical Center for two years before returning to MercyOne North Iowa, where she worked in open-heart surgery and the ICU for five years.

Welper spent her first 21 years at the Mason City Clinic working with openheart surgery patients She now works in general surgery there.

“Regardless of the situation, Lisa’s commitment has always been to the patient that they would be cared for, protected, and given the highest priority possible, despite what was sometimes an overwhelming workload,” said Savanah McClemons, who works in Human Resources and Recruitment at the Mason City Clinic.

Welper also “communicates superbly with physicians,other health care professionals,and ancillary members of the care teams,” McClemons said. “Her attention to detail and its impact on the quality of care provided is on a level by itself, as is her work ethic.”

Welper said she’s seen a lot of changes during her 37-year career Patients are often sent home right after surgery rather than spending a few days in the hospital. This means she spends a lot of time teaching patients what to expect and to make sure they have the resources to call if they

Mason City Clinic

have concerns. Her advice

to specialize at

Go to an area where

to rookie nurses is,“Try not

first.

you can have good experience and then you can decide what area fits you. I think starting out on a general medical floor

is good experience because it helps you down the line when you specialize in an area.”

MARY PIEPER, FOR THE GLOBE GAZETTE

Lisa Welper has been a nurse at the Mason City Clinic for 25 years.

NURSES: THE HEART OF HEALTH CARE

ASHLEY WILKINSON

One-man occupational medicine department at Curries, Mason City

ROBIN MCCLELLAND Globe Gazette

Some traits run in families. For Ashley Wilkinson, it’s a metaphorically large heart.

Wilkinson, who has a doctorate as a nurse practitioner with Iowa Specialty Hospitals, currently is a one-man occupational medicine department within the Curries plant in Mason City.

As a young child, she already knew she wanted to be a nurse. She’d make rounds at the local nursing home with her mentor and grandmother, watching closely as grandma cared for residents. There she learned that medicine, tenderness and affection most certainly go hand in hand.

It’s served her well through the years.

“Ashley works at our on-site clinic; she provides our employees with both work related and personal medical care,” says Josh Baker, a physician at Iowa Specialty Hospital, Belmond.

“She works with over 700 employees and takes the time to get to know each employee. Ashley also goes above and beyond every day at work and also volunteers her time by helping with our wellness committee and other events outside of her work hours. Ashley also leads a team of first responders. Ashley has such a kind heart, always smiling, positive and pleasant to be around.“ Baker nominated Wilkinson as one of North Iowa’s Top Nurses in the Globe Gazette’s Nurses — the Heart of Health Care honors.

Wilkinson got her degree at the University of Iowa and had the pleasure of being pinned at graduation by the grandmother who inspired her. She’s spent time working in both family practice and intensive care, so occupational medicine isn’t too much of a stretch for her skills.

“It’s one of the reasons I got into nursing. Making a move doesn’t have to be difficult. With nursing, your skills are needed just about everywhere, so you can move around the country or just within your own organization,” Wilkinson says.

She’s staying put at Curries for now.

Iowa Specialty Hospitals

“It would be hard to leave,” she says, “I’ve built great relationships, not just with my coworkers, but mainly with my patients.”

“One of the best things about this position is being a care provider for folks that don’t have one. Of course, I encourage everyone to have a primary care provider, but if they don’t, I’m grateful I can fill in

and help them out.”

Wilkinson has treated patients with serious conditions they didn’t know they had. “Some folks are surprised to find they’re feeling better! They didn’t know they were unwell until we were able to address that high blood pressure or diabetes. It’s extremely rewarding.”

Wilkinson is grateful for the support of the Curries’ human resources staff, as well. Her clinic shares a space with the HR team, who also nominated Wilkinson for the Heart of Health Care honors. “I don’t know what I’d do without them. We’re a great team for the employees of Curries,” she says.

ashley Wilkinson in the on-site employee clinic at Curries in Mason City.

PREVENTING BURNOUT

Make time for self-care in a stressful profession

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Nurses are the backbone of the health care system. It’s a profession that requires long hours and is often stressful. They face challenging situations as they provide emotional and physical support to patients and their families.

In fact, they’re often so focused on caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. However, self-care is not a luxury or an option. It’s an essential task for nurses so that they can continue to care for others. In fact, the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics explicitly states that nurses must adopt self-care as a duty.

The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote

health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health care provider.”

Importance of self-care

Self-care can help alleviate some of the toll that the demands of the profession take on nurses, tolls that include chronic stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, back pain and headaches.

In 2022, the American Nurses Association conducted a “Healthy Nurse Survey” and found that there was an urgent need to improve the health of nurses and their quality of life. It found that 70% of nurses put their patient care needs over their own.

Self-care methods

Di erent nurses will find di erent ways to engage in self care, depending on what best feeds their soul and their body. Nursejournal.org recommends five dif-

ferent forms of self-care: physical, mental, social, spiritual and personal. Others add professional and medical. These activities can take many di erent forms from yoga classes to playing music to creating a new skincare regime.

Some other suggestions:

 Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. It ranges from taking a few deep breaths to meditating to going for a walk in nature.

 Exercise regularly. Set goals to walk 10,000 steps, work out a few times a week or participate in a fitness class. It can even be something as simple as going for a walk during a lunch break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

 Eat well. Choose nutritious food and drink lots of water. Pack healthy snacks. Take advantage of any healthy meal plans available in a hospital cafeteria or in other workplaces.

 Get enough sleep. It’s hard to sleep when stressed. So, create a relaxing bedtime routine. Use aromatherapy and provide yourself a peaceful environment.

 Connect with others. It’s hard to create work-life balance, but try to make time to spend with family and friends. Participate in a hobby. Go out to dinner with friends.

More resources

Need more ideas for self-care? There are several nursing organizations that provide resources on self care, including the American Nurses Association, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, nurse.org and The Journal of Nursing Education.

There isn’t a wrong way to do self-care — except to not do it at all. Schedule time and don’t feel guilty because what you are doing is essential.