April is a month Ialways look forward to as it is National Donate Life Month. My entire nursing career Ihave been engaged with Midwest Transplant Network and the work they do locally. As a direct care nurse, Iwill never forget caring for my first organ donor patient and how impacted Iwas by her family, her story, and her legacy. For days Ianguished with her family as she left this earth way too soon, and was angry and grieving with them. As Ileft my shift that Sunday morning after caring for her for the previous three nights, it was time for her to go to the OR. The transplant team asked ifIwould like to come along for learning. While tired, Ithought Imay never have this opportunity again so Iwent. Iwill never be able to describe how amazing that opportunity was. After days ofgrieving with her family, an open-heart surgeon walked in the room and said, “it’s a go.” At that moment Itruly felt the impact ofsomeone 15 minutes away receiving the most surreal, yet somber news, that they would have a second chance at life. The OR team was so efficient, respectful, and compassionate as they were witnessing the gift oflife as only healthcare professionals can know it. Ihave had the honor of caring for many donor heroes in my career, and the story ofeach one remains in my heart.
This last week, RMC was recognized for our achievement in supporting organ and tissue donation in 2022. We are able to do that because ofyour dedication to those who wish to pass on life. The care and compassion you also have for our donors as well as those left behind. This month, Ialso witnessed more than 50 staffmembers line the hallway for an honor walk ofa young man. The honor walk did not go as timed, but everyone stayed for almost an hour ensuring that his family (who accompanied him to the OR) knew we saw him as a hero.
Mae West said it best, “Inever said it would be easy. Ionly said it would be worth it.” The work you do each and every day is not easy, Ihope you feel that for every life you have it touched it has been worth it. As always, thank you for your dedication and compassion to RMC and our patients. Ihope you will celebrate National Donate Life Month alongside me.
Julie Filbeck ChiefNursing Officer, RMC
View video by clicking here!
Nursing/PCT Updates
StaffingUpdates
Join RMC's ChiefNursing Officer Julie Filbeck as she takes a stroll with Lisa Goucher, Pre-Transplant Coordinator at The Transplant Institute. We learn more on the importance oforgan donation and becoming a Living Donor during National Donate Life Month.
Did you miss a previous Stroll with your Nursing 'O' segment? Click here to watch
We are excited to welcome 35 new graduate nurses throughout spring and the first ofsummer. We've witnessed their passion for nursing and know that everyone will be welcoming and accommodating as they take a very pivotal, and at the same time, stressful first step into their nursing career.
We will also welcome 10 nurse externs in April and May. As they are winding down their school year, we will help them continue on the path ofgrowth and development with us with their more flexible schedule!Please take this extra opportunity to work with them on their nurse extern competency checklist so that they can practice at the top oftheir scope and then assist you with all ofthese additional tasks they will be able to complete.
PCTHighlights
Our March PCTmeeting focused on being a good steward ofresources and safety rounding. Thank you to Terry Engling and Burhan Hysa from EVS for discussing linen conservation and decreasing clutter in the rooms. Delaney Edmonds led the PCTs in safety rounding education and then the entire group conducted safety rounds on 3C/3N.
We also announced Delaney Edmonds, Director ofMed Surg, Berenice De La Cruz-Walker, Manager MICU, and Shelby Grubbs, Manager ofTele 4N are the Nursing Leaders for the PCT Council 2023.
The PCTCouncil’s motto: “We are not just talking about excellence, we are demonstrating excellence in all that we do.”
Earncontinuingeducationcredits/hoursatInfectiousDiseaseSymposium
Register for the 2023 Infectious Disease Symposium on Friday, April 21 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel. Physicians can receive 6 continuing education credits. Nurses can receive 7.5 continuing education contact hours. Sign up here!
SharedGovernanceUpdate
Latest updates and meeting scheduled outlined below.
Informatics Council: Last Meeting: Thursday, March 16th
Highlights:
Reviewed New Hampshire Hospital technologies
Reviewed call light/alert fatigue survey results
Next month:
Vote on call light proposal for changes
Review Teletracker board
Sneak peek at Meditech update 2023.2
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 20th at 8:00am in 2N Conference Room.
Quality and Safety: Last Meeting: Monday, Marc h6th
Our committee is working on falls and wounds. We have requests to include Trauma in education.
Next meeting: Monday, Apr. 3rd at 7:30am in the Clinical Excellence Classroom B Level
Recognition and Advancement: Last Meeting: Tuesday, March 14th
Next Meeting: Tuesday, Apr. 11th at 7:30am in 4W Conference Room.
Professional Practice: Last Meeting: Thursday, March 16th
Currently developing the structure ofthe Professional Practice Council. To align with our purpose, we are striving to assist in developing unit based councils (UBCs) by providing resources for structure and development.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 20th at 7:30am in 2 Central
Steering Committee: Last Meeting: Thursday, March 2nd
Next Meeting: Thursday, May 4th at 7:30am in 2N Conference Room.
PatientExperienceUpdate
Bedside Shift Report: Ways to manage-up the oncoming shift
Managing up the oncoming shift not only puts the patient at ease, but also helps to boost morale and relationships with your coworkers. Here are some ways to do that:
Focus on the patient’s goals: “Your nurse (insert name) is exceptional at helping patients develop a great pain plan, teaching patients and their families how to care for their wound at home, clustering care so you can get some rest.”
Comment on a strength oftheir personality: “Your nurse (insert name) has a great sense of humor, is very kind and compassionate, and a wonderful educator.”
Share the oncoming nurses experience: “Your nurse (insert name) is so amazing and helps to precept many ofour new hires, has over XXyears ofexperience, and has specialty certification in this area.”
Meet Your Leader
MarileeClites,DirectorofTransplantHonestly, Idid not want to be a nurse when Istarted college. I wanted to be a rock star!Since that was not working out, Ihad a friend going to nursing school, so Itagged along with her and interviewed at the University ofKansas School ofNursing. In those days there was not a shortage ofnurses, so it was competitive getting into nursing school. As it turns out, that is where the Lord wanted me to be, and it has been an amazing journey so far.
Istarted my career as an ICU nurse in Albuquerque, New Mexico
taking care ofpost-heart and lung transplant patients. This led me to organ donation at The New Mexico Donor Program and became the Associate Director. In 1992, Imoved back to Kansas and joined the Midwest Transplant Network, working my way up to the Regional Manager in Wichita. I was there for 19 years which was a wonderful experience working with Donor families. From there I worked with post-liver transplant patients at another local transplant center and was later promoted to Manager ofthe Kidney and Pancreas Programs, along with Quality Manager. In 2014, Ijoined RMC as the Director ofThe Transplant Institute, where it has been wonderful leading this department over the years to the expanding level it’s at today.
There is a cliché’ that states: “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” Well, at RMC, I believe the grass is truly greener here because people care about you, not only as an employee, but as a person.
Personally, Iwas born and raised in Chamberlain, South Dakota and I’m the youngest of6. My siblings are all in some sort ofmedical field from a dental hygienist to an Optometrist. My parents, with my father being a WWIIveteran, did not have the opportunity to go to college so they made sure all ofus could. We all remain very close, even though we live in different places all over the United States. We are very blessed to have my mother still going strong at the age of92.
Ihave two wonderful children. My daughter, Ashlyn, is an attorney in Wichita, which she has become a partner in her law firm. She and her husband, who is a physical therapist, have blessed me with three wonderful grandchildren: Lincoln, Rosalie and Georgia. My son, Taylor, has traveled all over the country utilizing his Science Engineering degree, recently married a wonderful woman and now works for his father’s engineering company. Ienjoy beach fishing, which my boyfriend Mitch got me “hooked” on, limousine rides, camping, boating, gardening and pencil coloring. Ofcourse, spending time with my family, whenever Ican.
