Nurses: The Heart of Health Care 2023

MAY 7, 2023

NURSES

PRESENTINGSPONSORS

SUPPORTINGSPONSORS

OurNurses make thedifference

2023 ClinicalExcellenceAward WinnersinNursing

For136 years, MethodistJennieEdmundsonnurses havemadethe difference forour patients.They continue to strengthen that legacy by providing CouncilBluffs andsouthwest Iowa theabsolute best in healthcare. bestcare.org

©2023 MethodistJennie EdmundsonHospital,anaffiliate of MethodistHealth System

KarenBlackman

StevieHubbard

DeeDollen

KatieKinser

ChelseyDuncan

ShawntelleKuhlman

AmberHopp

StephanieOlvera

Samantha Evers

Yanela Lippold

Kami Houser

Michelle Whitney

We honor10nurseswhodeservetobe recognizedformakingadifference

Nowinitsthird year,the World-Herald’s andDailyNonpareil’s special recognition program,“Nurses: TheHeartofHealth Care,” wants to thankallofthe community’snurses andhealthcare workers.

While we are grateful fortheir contributionseveryday, todayisespeciallypoignant as we celebrate 2023Nurses Week. This year’s nationalthemeis “You MakeaDifference.”

Onceagain, we askedour readers to nominate anursewhohasmadeasignificant impactintheirlivesorthelivesofothers. Apaneloflocal, experiencedjudgesdeterminedourhonorees—sevenfromOmaha andthreefrom CouncilBluffs—and we’re

2023JudgingPanel

Vicki Bautista, EdD, NBC-HWC

introducingtheminthissection.

Allofourhonoreesare representativeofthe nationaltheme: Theyallmakeadifference.

The World-HeraldandDailyNonpareilare onceagainproud to partnerwithourpresentingsponsors, RTG Medicaland Methodist Jennie Edmundson,as wellasoursupporting sponsors, MethodistHealth SystemsandIowa Western Community College, to honorthese outstandingnurses.

Whetherthis week,next week,next month oreveryday, we say “thank you” to ourlocal nurses foreverythingtheydo fortheirpatientsandtheir communities.

Assistant Professorof Familyand Community Medicine

Assistant ProgramDirector, IntegrativeHealthand Wellness Schoolof Medicine, CreightonUniversity

Claudia Bohn

Communications& Public RelationsDirector MethodistHealth System

KarnaDam

CommunityEngagement Representative RTG Medical

Angeline Larson

Director, Strategic&BusinessOperations

Dr.C.C.and MabelL. CrissHeart Center Children’s Hospital& Medical Center

CindySutton,MPA

Director, PhysicianNetwork Services Nebraska Medicine

TAMI BARDONE Loveofnursing afamilything

lasted.

Bardonearnedhernursingdiplomafrom theJennie EdmundsonNursing Schooland spentthenext 27 years –from1987 to 2004 –asanemergencyroomnurse.Inaddition to herER work,her resumeincludesinpatient, casemanagement, eightyears at Children’s Hospitalandthenas atriagenurseinthe cardiologyclinic.Sevenmonthsago,she transferredtothecardiologyoffice where shesaidthestaff focusis “makingchanges to improvethecareofourpatients.”

arenot awareofallthehelpthatisavailable herewhentheyareinneed.” Hergoal was andis to makesurepatientsgetthebestcare, themost resourcesandthatevery hurdlehas beencleared.

As acardiologytriagenurse,Bardon recognizedtheneed tocollectcompleteandaccurate informationfromcardiologypatients to passalong to providers.Although we all askbasicallythesamequestionsduringthe triageprocess,“Youdon’t want to forget akey component,”shesaid.

informaticsspecialist at Jennie Edmundson, createda computerized versionofthe tool Bardondeveloped to providefasterand moreaccurate triageinformationthatcanbe quicklyaccessed by otherstaff andproviders.

ForBardon,nursinghasbecome afamilything.Herdaughterwill graduate from Methodistin May, andherdaughter-in-lawis currently anursewiththe Methodistsystem.

BY JONLEU

TamiBardonhasbeen anurse forthepast 37 years,thelast32ofthose yearswiththe MethodistHealth System.Hercareerdecision datesbacknearly fourdecades.

“I wasanurse’s aideinhighschool,” she said.“Ilovedit.” It wasclearly aloveaffairthat

Bardonsaidthefactthatsheis aCouncil Bluffsnativewas atremendoushelpwhen she workedincasemanagementhelping patientsgetwhattheyneed.

“I’vedeveloped alotof connectionshere, includingwiththe Areaon Aging,IowaLegal Aid, the Veterans AdministrationandHeartland Family Services,” shesaid.“Mostpeople

To thatend,Bardondeveloped alistof questionsandphrasesusedinthetriageprocess.Eachquestion wasfollowedbya “yes”or “no” whereappropriate thatcanbemarked by thetriagenurse.Otherquestions were followedbyalistof typicalpatientresponses thatalsocanbeselectedbythetriagenurse. NicoleSiebels,anRNwho worksasaclinical

“Probablythebiggest reward ofnursing isseeing apatientcomebackfrom aserious illness,” shesaid,“to beable to succeedina plan to improvetheirlifeand to recognizethe positiveeffectyoucanhave.”

Methodist Physician’sClinic, Council Bluffs

JULIECHICK Caringforpatients andstudents throughteaching

thriveanddo well,” shesaid.“We calledit graduationbecausesome(newborns) were therefor along,longtime.”

Thesedays,graduationmeansparticipants inthe Papillion-La Vista CommunitySchools’ Health Academy, where sheservesasa teachingnurse,have graduatedfromhigh schoolor college,orhavebecomehealthcare professionals.

BY KEVINWARNEKE

Graduationdays providespecialmeaning forJulieChick.

ForChick,graduation,duringhereight years workingintheNICUatChildren’s Hospitaland MedicalCenter, meant parents were finally able to taketheirnewbornshome.

“Itwas very rewarding to seethose babies

“Whenstudentscomeback,becausethey beenina hospitalsetting,and tellabouttheir experiences–that’simportanttome,”she said.

Chick’s introductiontonursing wasapoignantone.Hernewborn sisterspent days in aNICUbeforedying.“Iheard of greatthings thenurseshaddonetotake careofherand

my parents,” she recalled.Chick,then ateenager,knewshe wantedtostudyingnursing.

Workingin aNICU,shesaid,meant she experiencedemotionalhighsandlows.She hadtolearnhowto leave her work –andthe emotionsthat camewithit –atthehospital soshe could focusonherfamilywhenshe wasathome.

Shealsogainedperspective. “Overtime,I realized Iwoulddothebestof my abilityto takecareofmypatientswhile Iwasthere.I couldn’talwayscontrolwhathappened,but Icould give the very bestcaretomypatients andtheirfamilies.”

AftereightyearsintheNICU,Chickbecame apost-operationnurse.Inthis role,she helpedher youngpatientslearnhowto care

forthemselvesaftersurgery. Shealsoworked withherpatients’ parents.

“Idid alotof teaching.Ifound Itrulyloved thenursingand teachingaspect of my job.”

Aftereightyears working recovery, Chick became ateachernurse.The academy is for highschooljuniorsandseniorswhoseeka careerinhealthcare. Theyspendtimeinthe classroom andinclinicalsettings.

Chicksaidshelovesevery moment, especially watchingherstudentsinteract withpatients at MidlandsHospital.Chick’s nominatorwrote:“Sheiskind,caringanda hugeasset to theNursing Academy students. Thestudents inthepasthave acknowledged her forbeingsuchanimportantpartoftheir educationinnursing.”

Papillion-La Vista CommunitySchools’ HealthAcademy

SAMANTHA DOCKEN Comingtothe aidofothers RN

went withacareerinnursing,” shesaid.

Dockencurrently worksasanurseinthe Nebraska Medicine Bellevue Intensive Care Unitwhereshealsoservesasaskilledmentor andtrainer fornewnursesand fillsinasa chargenurse fortheICU.

BY JONLEU

Somefacetofthemedical fieldhasalways beenacalling for Samantha Docken,aBlair nativewho’s livedmostofherlifeinOmaha. Sheinitially consideredacareerasapharmacistand consideredstudying to becomea surgeon.

“ButIlikedthe ‘peopleinteraction’ and

Sheearnedherbachelor’s degreeinnursingfromNebraska Methodist Collegein2017. Prior to assuminghercurrent position,she workedasanurseinnearlyeveryinpatient unit at a LevelOne Trauma Center. Dockenalso workedasanurseintheNebraska BiocontainmentUnitand Federal Quarantine Center, oneofseveralmedical workers to initially respond to the COVID-19crisistaking careofsomeofthe first COVID-19patients whoarrivedinthe U.S.

Herpassion forhelpingothersledher to the American Red Crosswhile working

twopart-timejobs to supportherfull-time enrollmentinnursingschool. As adisaster services relief worker,shehelpedduringthe aftermathofHurricaneHarveyin Texas.She volunteeredwiththe Civil Air Patrol’s Emergency ServicesOperationsin conducting inlandsearchand rescue fordownedaircraft.

Dockeniscurrentlyseekingacceptance into adoctorate innursingpracticeprogram at Clarkson to becomea Critical Care Medical Nurse Practitioner.

“Constantlearningappeals to me,andthis wouldallowme to makeaneven greater impactonpatients’ lives,” shesaid.

“When youaskanynursewhytheychose to gointo thisprofession,theywillalmost always tell youitisthehuman connection,” Dockensaid.“It’stheability to makean impactonanotherhuman’s life, theability

JOHN DUNN Neverfailtofollowup

Dunn’s deflection comesthroughhis experienceasapatient. Hesufferedaheart attack, underwent backsurgery, hadajoint replacementandbattledskincancer–andmarvels at thecarehe received.

Hisdrive foracareerinhealthcarecame throughnecessitation.“Icameacross my bestfriendwho wasrun over by acar.He was lyinginthemiddleofa gravel roadinthe middleofwinter.” Dunn,thenahighschool junior,pickeduphisfriend,ahighschool senior,andplacedhiminacar.“Ithoughtit wasthebestthing to do.”

It was. Hisfriendspentmonthsinthe hospital,underwent multiplesurgeries–and survived.

to makeadifference–evenifitis forjust oneperson.Nursingprovides youwiththe uniqueopportunity to becomeapartof someone’s story. Younotonlyget to hear aboutaperson’s uniquelifejourneyandall oftheamazingthingsthey’vedoneintheir lifetime… youalsoget to becomeapartof thatjourney.

“You comeacrosspeoplefromall walks oflife. Whetherthatpersonis yourpatient, theirmother,theirfather,theirchild, youare enteringwhatisoftenoneofthescariestmomentsintheirlives. Youarethefacetheywill remember,theshouldertheywillcryon,the personwhohelpsthemtaketheir firststeps aftermajorsurgerytheymighthavewonderedifthey wouldsurvive. Youbecomepart oftheirstory. That feelingisunlikeanything elseinthe world.”

BY KEVIN WARNEKE

John Dunnappreciatesthesentimentbut contendsothersaremoredeservingofthe recognitionheis receiving.

“Thetrueheroesarethenursesinthehospitalandthe respiratory therapists. The folks inimaging. They’retheoneswhoare working doubleshiftsandholidays andbeingoncall.”

Dunnhas workedasatriagenurse for Methodist PhysicianClinic for twoandahalf years.Hestartedhiscareerinhealthcare asanorderly,thenanemergencymedical technicianona rescuesquadbeforepursuing trainingandthen workingasa registered nurse fornearlyeight years.

Fast forwardafterseveraldecades working inhealthcareadministrationandmanagement, and Dunn couldn’t stay away At age 65,he “dustedoff” hisnursingdegreeand returned to work asatriagenurseininternal medicine.Hespendshisdays talkingwith peopleonthe telephoneaboutwhatails themanddirectingthemabouttheactions theyshouldtake.

Somecallers,hesaid, focusonprescription refills. Othersaremoreserious, for example,a caller experiencingchestpains. Many callers areelderly.

“Somanyelderlypeopleareisolated. Some ofthemjustneed to talk to someonewho cares.”

Dunnneverfails to followup,hisnominatorwrote. “Heisempathic, compassionate, andI feelI could tellhimanything.Heisan excellent communicator, usuallywhenI feel the worst.”

Hisnominatorpaid Dunn,age68,another complimentthatcausedhim to chuckle: “Havingnevermethim,onlytalk to him over thephone,Ihave amentalpictureofa young Tom Selleck.”

Dunn’s response: “Well,I wouldjustaskher to holdonto thatimage.”

Nebraska Medicine Bellevue

Methodist Physicians Clinic, Omaha

“HAVINGNEVERMETHIM,ONLY TALK TO HIM OVERTHEPHONE, IHAVEAMENTALPICTUREOFA YOUNG TOMSELLECK.”

theNICU, intheadultICU,asa flightnurse, as aleadERnurse,andinclinicalandsurgical settings forphysicians –not to mentionher work inUNMC’sbiocontainmentunitthat treatedpatientsfrom Africawho contracted Ebola.

BY KEVIN WARNEKE

AskBetsy Floodif,after37 years workingas anurse,shehasthoughtsofcallingit acareer andheranswerisimmediate anddirect.

“Nope.Not yet,”shesaid.“I’velovedall that nursinghastaughtme. IknowI stillhave care togive. Ilovecaring forpeople.”

Andshehascared formany–workingin

“Thatwasprobablythepinnacleof my career,” shesaid.Hospitaladministratorsasked her to jointhespecialunit,whichtrained inpreparation to treatpatients.“It wasan interestingtime.”

So wasthetrip to arural community, duringhertimeasa flight nurse,topickup aboy bornat24weeksand weighingone pound. Theairambulancelandedinanintersection.Thenewborn’seyeswereclosedand hislungs weren’tfully formed.Hestopped breathingseveraltimesduringtheir return to Omaha. Theheartbreak at thetime,she recalled,was thatthebaby’sparents could not comealongintheairambulance. Afew days later, shemet hisparentsbutthenlost contact.

Until16 yearslater, whenthefamilyasked iftheirson’s careteam couldbegatheredso they couldsaythankyou.“Ihavetaken care ofthousandsandthousandsofpatients–and Iusuallynever know whathappened to them.”

Floodsaid adesireshe experiencedasa child to helppeopleand aloveforscience in

highschoolsparkedhercareerchoice. She initially workedinIowaCity (Iowa)– where herhusbandwas attendinglawschool –ina NICU.“Iloved my work fromtheget-go.”

AreturntoNebraskaled to herlong-term staywithNebraskaMedicine. Herreturn cameduring atimewhennursesoutnumbered availablejobs.Shelanded ajobinthe adultNICUinsteadofon ahospital floor–where nursestypicallystartedtheircareers. ForFlood,hertimeinICUsreinforcedwhat shelearnedinnursingschool.

Hernominatorwrote thatFloodis great withpatients. “Betsyisable to speak to patientswith confidenceabouttheircareand with compassionwhenthingsare scaryand dire. Shewillhold yourhandandbequiet with youorgiveyou asmile and wink to let youknowitwillbeOK.”

“SHEWILLHOLD YOURHANDAND BEQUIETWITH YOUORGIVE YOU ASMILEANDWINK TO LET YOU KNOWITWILLBEOK.”

MONICA IBARRA Buildingtrustwithpatients

“I wasscared.IthoughtI wasdying,” Ibarra said.“She wasthere to hold my hand.”

Ibarra,who worksinthe Women’s Health Clinic at OneWorld CommunityHealth Centers,saidthat experience at Children’s Hospitaland Medical Centerinspiredher to pursuenursing. Another experience–when she wasillbutherfamily,livingin Utah at the time, waswithoutinsurance–inspiresher work at OneWorld.

able,accessiblecare, andthefamilymoved to Nebraska.Later, Ibarra becameillandshe was taken to Children’s by ambulance.

“Atthispoint, I was by myself. My parents weren’tthere. Iamscared. Thislady, whoseonlyjob was to bewithme, toldme to squeezeherhandashardasI could.I squeezedwithbothhands.”

BY KEVIN WARNEKE

Monica Ibarra,then14,wishesshehadhad theopportunity to saythank you to thenurse whohelpedherwhenshe foundherself aloneinahospitaland fearfulshe wasdying. Shealso wouldlike to thankher forinspiring Ibarrato pursueacareerinnursing.

“Itgoesback to nothavingaccess to care,” shesaid. “That wasdifficult for my familyand Idon’t want anyoneelse to gothroughthat experience.”

Whichiswhyshestartedhernursing career at OneWorldandhasn’t left.

Somebackstory. Ibarra andherfamily were livingin Utahwithoutinsuranceandaccess to healthcare. A relative toldthemabout OneWorldinOmaha,whichprovidesafford-

Ibarra laterwroteaboutthe experiencein a collegeessay, whichhelpedherearnafull scholarship.She couldchooseher fieldof studyandchosenursing.

At OneWorld, Ibarra first workedinfamily practice, and recentlymoved to women’s health.Sheenjoys the teamapproachthat OneWorldemploysto providecare.

“Eachdayisgoodwithjustbeingable to work asa team. It’s rewarding knowing we didthebest we could forourpatientseach day.”

BETHANY “JILL” KING Acontinuouslearningprocess

lovedhelpingpeople,” shesaid, “andwhat better way to dothatthan to becomeanurse myself.”

Afterstartingasamedical-surgicalpediatricsunitnurse,shespent12 yearsasa diabeteseducatorbefore returning to the medical-surgicalorthopedicsunit.Sheisa preceptor forthatdepartment, helping to trainnewhiresandalso workswith Creighton Universitynursingstudentstraining at Mercy.

Ibarra isgood at whatshedoes,her nominatorwrote:“Shedevoteshertimeand attention to ensurethatpatients receive culturally respectful,highqualityhealthcare withspecial attention to theunderserved.”

Herjobinvolvesbuildingtrustwithpatients.Onepatientstandsout:Ahomeless womanwhohaslostcustodyofherchildren. Shesharedthatshehadn’t felt welcome at otherplaceswhereshesoughtcare.

“Wegave herthat reassurancethat we are here forherand to help–andshecantrust us.”

It worked.“Shekeeps comingback.”

BY JONLEU

Although twoofhermother’s bestfriends were nursesandprovidedsomeinfluence, Sloannative Bethany “Jill” Kingsaidher decision to makenursingherlife’s work came whileshe wasinhighschoolwhenshestarted working at along-termcarefacility.

“Idiscoveredwhile workingtherethatI

Kingcame to work at CHIHealth Mercy Hospitalin CouncilBluffsafterearning hernursingdegree at WesternIowa Tech Community CollegeinSioux City. Withthe exceptionofabrieftime awayfrom Mercyin 2018and2019,she’s spentmostofher22yearcareerthere.

A continuallearner, King,althoughnota chemo certifiednurse,hasbeentrained to give chemotreatments.She completedher Bachelorof ScienceinnursinginJanuaryof this yearandiscurrently working towards certificationasanorthopedic certifiednurse. She’s completedtheclass work andhours required forthe certificationandiscurrently studying forthe test,whichshehopes to take andearn certificationwithinthenext several months.

Kingalsoservesasamentor for Mercy’s 18-monthprogram forallnewemployees,

aprogramthat extendsbeyondnewhires forthenursingunits. Theprogramprovides topicsthatare to be coveredbutallows the mentorandthenewhire to decideinwhat orderthose topicsare covered.

More than twodecadesinto thecareershe choseinhighschool, Kingstill findsnursinga rewardingchoice.

“Justseeingpeoplestart to know how to takecareoftheir conditionsandbeingtheir supportistremendously rewarding,” shesaid, “andI reallyenjoyseeingthenursesI work withbecomebetter.”

In addition to her work at MercyHospital, Kingisinvolvedinthe communitythrough herserviceonthe All Care Health Center’s BoardofDirectors.She’s servedontheboard since2013withthe exceptionofone yearoff duringthe COVID-19pandemic.

OneWorld Community Health Centers, Omaha

CHI Health Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs

“JUSTSEEINGPEOPLE START TO KNOWHOW TO TAKECARE OFTHEIR CONDITIONSAND BEINGTHEIRSUPPORTIS TREMENDOUSLYREWARDING.”

ANNE LAVELLE

‘Affectchangeinahands-onway’

herBachelorof Sciencedegreeinnursing fromtheUniversityofNebraska Medical Centerin2011. Following graduation,she worked asatravelingnurse at anumberofOmaha-areahospitals, Milwaukee-areahospitals, the Mayo Clinicin Phoenixand Vanderbilt UniversityinNashville.Shethen returned to Omahawheresheearneda Masterof Public HealthdegreefromUNMCin2017.

Two yearsago,Lavelleimplementeda self-monitoringbloodpressureprogram to improve hypertensionmanagement. Patients were senthomewiththeequipment to monitortheirbloodpressure at homebetween visits to theCharlesDrewHealth Center. The self-monitoredbloodpressureprogramhas increasedpatient hypertension controlfrom 48.9% to 63.7%.

BY JON LEU

Ahighschoolsocialjusticeclasspointed Omahanative AnneLavelle to acareerin nursing.

“Aspartofthatclass, we studiedand discusseddisparitiesinhealthcare. I was appalledthatpeopledidn’t have access to qualityhealthcare,” shesaid.“Nursinghelps youaffectchangeinahands-on way.”

Lavelle tookpre-nursingclasses at theUniversityofNebraska-Lincolnbeforeearning

Nowchronicdisease coordinator at Charles DrewHealth Center,Lavelleutilizesherbackgroundandeducation to improveoutcomes forpatientswithchronicdiseases. As a federallyqualifiedhealth center,CharlesDrew Health Center receives federalfunding to providehealthcare to vulnerable community residents,manyofwhomareunderinsuredor have noinsurance.

Her work at thehealth centerspans hypertension,diabetes,asthma,medicaladherence andmoreasshe focusesonimprovingthe qualityofcareand removingbarriers to health care forthevulnerablepatientpopulation.

Congratulationstoall ofthisyear’snominees!

OMAHA

PattyBales

MistBausch

BarbBrennan

MalloryBroady

Sara Cooper

Shannon Dyer

MonikaEllis

Kate Friedman

Kristi Fuller

TimothyHoarty

IlianaHudson

KelleeJindra

AnnaJohnson

ShavonneJohnson

Janelle Krings

JenniferLacy

Amy McKeehan

Denise Morrison

Haydn Muir

Referring to whatshecalledthe “whitecoatsyndrome,” Lavellesaidbloodpressure frequently risesduringvisits to the centerdue to nervousness. Theself-monitoringblood pressureprogram– resultsofwhichare reported regularlybetween centervisits gives healthprofessionalsamoreaccurate pictureof how welltreatmentprogramsareimpacting thepatient. A text messageprogram gives patients weekly reminders to watchtheirdiet, taketheirmedicationsandchecktheirblood pressure.

“Patientsseeingtheirbloodpressureona morefrequentbasis feelmoreempowered

thattheyhave controloftheirbloodpressure,” shesaid.

Thehealth centerhasalsoimplemented adiabetesand wellnessprogram,often referred to asthe“foodpharmacy” program, in collaborationwith Whispering Rootsof Omaha,whichprovides food. Patientsare taughthow to preparehealthy food at the centerandprovidedwithhealthy fooditems theycanprepare at homeusingtheskills theylearnedduringthe center’s classes. Whilenottraditional “bedsidecare,” this trulyisnursingcare, Lavellesaid. Thereare nurseseverywhere workingonpreventative programs.

“Working to providehealthcare regardless ofsocio-economicstatusis very rewarding,” shesaid. “Weget to seepositiveoutcomes. We get to hearpeopletalkabouthowtheir qualityoflifeimprovesas we seetheirnumbersimprove.”

theheartofhealthcare

JameyNalezinek

JillianNegri

Sara Pospisil

BrookeSpence

Lisa K. Stolzer

Laura Swarz

Mary Thompson

Susan Walsh

Abigail (Abby) Wawers

Sarah Windlan

COUNCILBLUFFS

Justin Boeck

Delaney Carroll

AshleyClark

PaytonGrove

ShelbyHoleton

KamiHouser

StacyHughes

MeganJefferson

Cassandra Kruse

MarciaLippert

Cherryll Mann

Sheryl McGinn

Colleen Murphy Hertz

SamanthaOpal

Theresa Savino

Melinda Schneider

MistySneed

Nurses at Oncology

ofJennie Edmundson

Charles Drew Health Center, Omaha

BY JONLEU

Lookingback,rural TreynornativeNicole Siebelssaidherdecision to pursue anursing careerstemsfromthefactthatshe’s always had aloveforhelpingotherpeople.

Siebelshasbeenwith MethodistJennie EdmundsonHospital forthepastnine years, beginningas amedicalassistantatthe

Makingthingsmoreefficient forbetteroutcomes

MethodistHealthClinicin2014.Sheearned herRNdegree at Iowa WesternCommunity Collegein CouncilBluffsin2017,then went on to earn herBachelorof Sciencedegreein nursingfromNebraskaMedicinethe following year.

As awifeandmotherwhile workingfulltimeasaclinicnursein abusypractice, SiebelsenrolledinMethodist Collegeandearned hermaster’s degreeinnursingin May2022. Havingmovedawayfrommoretraditional nursing roles to thenursinginformation technology field,Siebelsearnedhercurrent title as aclinicalinformaticsspecialist.

In hercurrent positionshehelpsstaff andprovidersimprovecommunicationand technologywithpatients,staff andproviders

andotherhealthcaresystems.Her work has strengthenedandstreamlinedpatientcare visits,sharingofpatientinformation,reduced paperworkandincreasedelectronicaccess.

“Muchof my work ishelpingstaff and providerswithchartingproblems. Helping improveandclarifythe flow ofinformation improvespatientcare,”Siebelssaid.

Shepointed to her collaborationwith TamiBardon, acardiologyunit triage nurse. Bardondeveloped alistofstandard questionsthatatriagenurse wouldask to assess theconditionof acardiologypatient. Various patientresponses to eachofthosequestions arelistedin adrop-downmenuthatfollows thequestion.Bardondevelopedthephrases used forquestionsand responsesandSiebels

thencreatedtheelectronic form thetriage nurseusestorecordthepatient’sresponses. Theresultisgreateruniformity intheinformationthatisbeing collectedfrompatients duringthetriage process andpassedon to providersandother staff

“The greatest reward ofnursingisthe knowledgethatyou’rehelpingotherpeople,” Siebelssaid.“What we’redoinginITis helpingmake thingsmoreefficient forbetter outcomes.”

Methodist Jennie EdmundsonHospital, CouncilBluffs

JEN TRAN Providingresourcesduringvulnerabletimes

Tran workswithvictimsofelderabuse,sexual abuse,humantrafficking,strangulationand domesticabuse.She workswithpeople at theirmostvulnerable.

“Youshowupwhentheyareinthemost

torwrote. “Jen’s compassion,levelof communication, knowledge, expertise,andpassion makehertheidealadvocate forpatients andour community. Thesetraitsandher infectiouspersonalityhave leftanindelible impressionwitheveryoneshe’s workedwith.”

Transervedas Methodist’s ForensicNurse Examiner teamleader for fiveyearsbefore steppinginto her roleasa forensicnurse examinerinJanuary. “I’m nowpartofthe team. My childrenonlywillbe young forsolong.”

do, ColoradoSprings.

In her roleasa forensicnurse examiner, Tran works12-houron-callshiftsfromhome, whichincludes weekendsandholidays Calls from Methodistcan come at anytime.

BY KEVIN WARNEKE

EverytimeJen Tranquestionswhyshe becamea forensicnurse examiner–usually followingacall to actionthat comesinthe middleofthenight–theanswerpresents itself.

“Every timeIthinkthat, thepatientsIsee showmewhyIdo,” Transaid.

In her role at MethodistHealth System,

traumaticandscarymomentsoftheirlives. What theyhave experiencedcanonlybe describedashorrific,” shesaid. “There’ssomething to besaid forgoingthroughthis experiencewiththem: Youarenotalone.IbelieveI give them controlbackoftheirsituation.”

Tranisgood at whatshedoes,hernomina-

Followingherhighschool graduation, Tran wanted to attend Creightonandmajor incriminaljustice–aprogramtheuniversitydidn’toffer.A Creightonadministrator suggestednursingbecauseitofferedoptions andspecialties. Duringaninternship at theOmaha Police Department, ahomicide lieutenantsharedanarticleabout forensic nurse examiners,whichledher to pursuean advanceddegree at theUniversityof Colora-

In her role,shesaid, Tranvisitswithabuse victimsaboutwhathappenedand collects forensicevidence. Shetreatssomepatients forpossiblesexuallytransmitteddiseasesand providesoptions for follow-upcare. Providing thoseresources, shesaid,givesherpeaceof mindthatherpatientshave opportunities for additionalassistance.

“Thehardestpartof my jobisthatIdon’t seewhattheirfutureholds. In 98percent of my cases,Idon’t see resolution,ifthereis some. Beingwiththeminthatmoment, I realize, isthestartoftheirmoving forward.”

Helping prevent infections

A

closer look at Project Firstline

The rolenursesplayinpreventinginfectionhas neverbeenmoreclearthanithasbeensince the start ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centers forDiseaseControlandPrevention setout to providefree resourcesandadditionaltraining for health care workers so thatthey can preventthespreadofinfectiousdiseases. They’re callingit Project Firstlineanditbrings togethermore than 75 healthcare, academicandpublichealth partners to helpfrontline health care workers protecttheir patients, their coworkers andthemselves frominfectiousdisease threats.

Thefree resources comeina varietyof formatsandthe CDC saidthey are designed“toempowerandenablehealth careworkerstothinkcriticallyaboutinfectioncontrol,using adult learningprinciples, educationalbestpractices, CDC recommendationsand the science that informsthem.” Whenthe COVID-19 pandemichit, itmadethemedi-

GREENSHOOT MEDIA

“THEHARDEST PART OFMY JOBISTHATIDON’TSEEWHAT THEIRFUTUREHOLDS.”

calworld evenmoreaware of the gaps in infectioncontrolknowledgeand practice inhealthcaresettingsnationwide.Project Firstlineisanattempttoclose those gaps.

Listeningtohealth care workers

TheCDC committed to developingthe resourceshand-in-hand withhealth care workers,recognizingtheirknowledgeand expertise.Theyaskedthem howtheydid their joband workedwiththem ratherthan dictatingpolicytothem.

They alsomadeit apriority to provideall oftheircontenttoallhealth care workers regardlessofprevious education, backgroundknowledgeorjob status.

Respecting time andbandwidth

Nursesworklonghoursandhave little time available fortraining, especiallyoutsideofworkhours.They’reoftenexhausted andafterthesepastseveral years,many are ontheverge of burnoutand almost allhave experiencedtraumain theworkplace.

Withthisinmind, contentisdelivered inbite-sized segmentstailoredforpractice anddesigned to be integratedintothe work day.Inaneffort to meethealthcareworkers

wheretheyare,itteachesthe whybehind infection controlpractices.

Theinformationhasbeentranslatedinto Spanish and severalAsianlanguages.

Training materialsandeducational resourcesare availableinmanydifferent formats,recognizingthediverseneedsand learningpreferencesofhealth care nurses. Theyincludein-persontraining,online training,videos,infographics,trainingtoolkitsand interactivetools.

Project Firstline accomplishments

Inthefirsttwoyearssinceithaslaunched, ProjectFirstline anditspartnershavecreatedmore than200 educationalproducts andtrainingmaterialsonhealth careinfection control.Ithashostedmorethan 750 educational eventsreachingmorethan 65,000healthcareworkers.

Their variousplatformshavereceived morethan 84 millionviews.

Nursescansignup fortheProjectFirstlinenewsletteroraccess educationalmaterials online.

VIRTUAL NURSING

HUNTER BOYCE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Telehealthhas reachednew heightsinpopularity following a workforce-crippling pandemic That being said,notall health care heroes arebehind the concept ofvirtualnursing.

According to asurvey by NSINursing Solutions, registerednurse turnover stoodat roughly 27% in2022. Meanwhile, RN vacancy rates were at 17.1%. According to Medpage Today, allof those nursing vacancieshave hit the health care industry withagrowingknowledgegap Virtualnursingis partiallydesigned to close that gap.

New nursesare“scared to death” of makingamistake whenthey first come onto the floor, Wendy Deibert,MBA, BSN, seniorvice president ofclinical solutions forCaregility, told Medpage Today.

“They’re thrownintoa world...with notalotof experience behindthem,” she said.“So havingabuttononthe wall where you canpush...atamoment’s noticeand getanurseinthat room to assist (is ahuge help).

“I can zoomin to [see] exactlywhat they’re doingandgive directionandsupport, so thattheydon’t feellike they’re out there on alimb by themselves.Not onlydoes thatboosttheir confidence,but italso reallystopsthatturnover, because ifthey get too scaredand donot feelsupported, they’renot going to stay there.”

Steve Polega, BSN, RN, chiefnursing officerof Universityof Michigan HealthWest, however, believesutilizingvirtual nursingis alost cause.

“Asanurseof25 years, Ibelieve that nursingisa callingandagift,” he told Becker’s Hospital Review. “Itis a huge responsibility to betrusted by our patients and families to bethe eyes,ears and caringhandsatthebedside.Nursingisall about connectingwithpeople. To earn thattrust,I believe that youneed to be

Experts weighin on the joys and woes of telehealth

atthebedside. Nursing is aboutthatkind touch, thatsmile,those reassuringthings that we cando for patients and families.

“Itis very challenging to have that real human connectionthroughvirtual care. Ithink we alllose if thistrend continues. We havetooptimize our technologies to makeournurses moreefficientandeffective,butattheendoftheday, nurses put thehumanityinto care andneed to bepresent andatthebedside.”

It’s apoint thatperhapsneeds to beput to the test.

SaintLuke’s Health Systemof Kansas City tookadvantageof an opportunity to significantly implement virtualnursing in2019, before the pandemic. Thehospital constructeda 33 bednursingunit atoneofits four facilities, utilizinganew

care modeland workflow.

“It wasimportantthatthemodelhad animpact forboththenursingstaff and the patient experience,”JenniferBall,RN, BSN,MBA,directorofvirtual care at Saint Luke’s Health System, toldtheAmerican NursesAssociation.“Welookedat what couldbe takenoff theplate ofthe bedside RNand completed by a nurseon camera inthe patient room. We included tasks suchasadmissiondatabase,discharge teaching,medication reconciliation, completingprocedure checklists, second nurse signoff formeds/skinchecks, generaleducation/teaching forthe patients, contacting families, answering questions, and thelist goes on.

“Whentheseitemsare completed by thevirtualRN, thatfreesupthetime

ofthebedsideRN to have more time to manage physicalneedsof the patents, answer calllights sooner, and generally have more timewiththe patients.”

Theunitopenedin Feb. 2021andhas since experienced several workflow changes. According to Ball,theunit’s operationsinceitsopening hasallowed fora fewlessons.

“You canneverhavetoomucheducation,training and informationshared,” she said. “Staff have to be flexible, like change,andbewilling to trynewthings. Start your planning early, bewiling to adjustthings, and figure out your technology early on. Get everyoneinvolved from thebeginning: other disciplinesand staff thatwillbe interactingwiththenew care model.”

Registerednurse vacancy rates were at 17.1% in2022 DREAMSTIME

Army Nurse overcame barriers

the 16thchiefoftheArmyNurseCorps withapromotion to brigadier general.It madeherthe firstBlack womanandthe firstchiefwithan earneddoctorate to be appointed to thatposition.She wasalso onlythethird woman to achieve the rank of generalintheArmy. At thetime, white nursesoutnumberedBlacknurses12 to one.

Accomplishments

Johnson-Brown wasnotone to siton herlaurels. Aschief, shepushed several initiatives.

Shepromotedacademic scholarships for ROTC nursingstudentsand setupaclinicalnursingsummer camp for ROTCcadets. She wasthe first to publisha“Standardsof Practice fortheArmyNurseCorps.” She promotedqualityassurancemeasuresin treatment facilitiesandencouragedmembers ofthe Corps to engagein research.

Johnson-Brownbelievedintheimportant rolesthatthe rankand filenurses playedintheArmyand gave themshared responsibility forplanningthefutureof the Corps. Shepromotededucationand worked to expandopportunities for Reserveand NationalGuardnursesin top managementpositions.

Afterher four-year term,she retired fromtheArmyNurseCorps.

Ongoing Work

Shestill wasn’tdonechangingthe nursing world.She continued toteachat nursing schoolsatGeorgetown University andGeorge Mason University. Shehelped foundthe Center for Health Policy, ResearchandEthics.

GREENSHOOT MEDIA

Hazel Johnson-Brown wasadetermined woman who wasn’t going to letanyone tellhershe couldn’tbeanurse.

Notonlydidsheachieve that title,but Johnson-Brown would go on to becomethefirstBlack femalegeneralinthe

U.S. Army in 1979 andthe firstBlackchief ofthe UnitedStates Army NurseCorps.

Early life

BorninPennsylvaniain1927,shewasone ofsevenchildren.Allofherfamilymembers workedonthefarmandheldotherjobs.She tookondomesticworkwhenshewas12,but

even thenknewshe wanted to beanurse. Whenshegraduatedfromhigh school, theWestChesterSchoolofNursingrejected herbecause she was Black.Shemoved to NewYorkandstudiedattheHarlemHospital School of Nursing.Returninghome,she workedforthePhiladelphiaVeteransAssociationandlearnedabouttheArmyNurse Corps,whichPresidentHarry Trumanhad racially integrated seven years earlier.

Army Nurse Corps

She joinedtheArmyNurseCorpsand her first tour wasinahospitalin Japan. She workedinoperating roomsandtrained nurses who were on their way to Vietnam.

She wasonceassigned to go to Vietnam, butbecameill.Thenurse who tookher place waskilledinasurpriseattackon theunitshortlyaftertheyarrivedinthe country.

Johnson-BrownbrieflylefttheArmy to earnhernursingdegreefrom Villanova University. She then returned to active duty. The firstofmanyassignments was asanoperating roomnurse at Walter Reed. She continued to earndegreesand continued toteachnurses.

She wasgivenprogressivelymore responsiblepositions wherevertheArmy neededher.

In 1979, she wasnominated to become

In 1990,whenmanyoftheemployees of Fort Belvoir Community Hospital were deployed to Iraqas partofOperation DesertStorm,she volunteered towork inthe surgicalsuite.

Johnson-Brown twice earnedthetitle “ArmyNurse ofthe Year”and received manyothermedals.

Whenshediedin2011,the U.S. House of Representatives passeda Joint Resolution commendingher“significant contributions to thenursingprofessionand herdedication to the U.S. Army. She was buriedatArlington National Cemetery, a woman whosuccessfullypursuedadream thatothers wouldhave denied to her.

RACHEL LARUE, U.S. ARMY

Brig,Gen.Hazel WinifredJohnson-Brown,Oct. 10-1927-Aug. 5, 1927, wasa retirednurseandeducator, who served withtheU.S.Armyfrom 1955-1983. In 1979shebecamethe firstblack femalegeneralinthe United StatesArmyandthe firstblack chiefoftheArmyNurse Corps.