Nurses Day 2014 by Tulsa World

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • NU 1

Supplement to Tulsa World | Sunday, May 4, 2014

Hands that heal. Smiles that soothe. Compassion that comforts. Dedication that makes all the DIFFERENCE.

Nurses Day ¥

Nursing Programs Flexible Career Options For Nurses

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Reflections From Area Nurses

I became a nurse because I wanted to help people, share my wisdom and brighten someone’s day. Nursing means taking care of someone that can’t take care of themselves. It means to brighten someone’s day with a warm smile. I had been taking care of this patient for some time, and one day I came in and she told me she planned to contact the Oprah Winfrey show because she wanted the world to know how much she appreciated me, and she thought I looked like Queen Latifah. I would encourage someone to become a nurse if they truly desire to help people. You meet people from all walks of life and challenge yourself to keep going, no matter how tough the situation.

Alicia Cancer Treatment Centers of America My genuine love for people led me to become a nurse. I enjoy encouraging and comforting others during their times of need. I love nursing because it is so fascinating and diverse. I could not imagine doing anything else, and I know God has placed me in this role for a reason. No job compares to nursing. It opens so many doors, and it offers incredible job security, creating a stable future for you and your family. It allows you to have a positive impact on others, and you have fun along the way. Nursing pushes you to strive to be a better person and to be selfless in your actions. In my role I am honored to be a part of the special moments in people’s lives and to help in any way I can. I get to assist in bringing new life into this world and that is incredible. My days are full of special moments — when I get a hug, a thank you or a sweet note from a family, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be. It is such a privilege to be a part of our patients’ memories for a lifetime.

Lexi Hillcrest Hospital South My wife asked me “why not nursing” during my first degree. I said, “No, not ever.” Twenty some years later, I am a nurse due to the thought that it offered the possibility to work wherever. Funny thing — I am still in Tulsa and proud to work at OSU Medical Center. What I did not expect is how much I enjoy nursing. I enjoy the learning. I enjoy teaching patients and families. I enjoy taking care of people in every way. There are innumerable special moments. Recently, I took care of a patient who was in quite a bit of pain. I reassured him that pain would be the least of his worries. The pain soon drifted away. The patient’s mother was so appreciative. A week later, the chaplain stopped by to tell me the patient felt “God’s love” when I cared for him. We never talked about faith, so I was taken by surprise. It turns out that ministering to bodily needs touches the heart. If you are looking to constantly be challenged to grow as a person and love to take care of people, then nursing is for you. Don’t think in terms of what makes you uncomfortable because you will grow, and there are so many different opportunities, you can always find something interesting and enjoyable.

Darin Oklahoma State University Medical Center What nursing means to me has changed over the last 28 years. In the beginning, it was exciting and new, with lots of adrenaline pumping. As I have matured, it feels more spiritual. I get job satisfaction from the smaller, less adrenaline-filled situations. I feel God has placed me specifically in certain situations to help people. I try to seek them out of each shift and believe this has helped me grow, not only as a nurse, but also it’s helped me to last in the ER for 28 years. Nursing also means stability, allowing me to support my family and to have a schedule that lets me be there for my children and husband. Lastly, what nursing means to me is all of the important things I have learned by watching inspirational, brave people going through very tough life events and seeing their strong, nurturing families support them. I have learned so much, and I am lucky to have had the opportunity to be a nurse.

Jamie St. John Broken Arrow

About This Section Nurses Day was produced by Tulsa World’s Advertising Department. For more information, call 918-581-8519.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

NU 2 • TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

Exciting Opportunities in Nursing Education By Stefanie Forney Special Sections Editor

If you dream of helping others and making a difference in the world, studying to become a nurse may be the first step to realizing that goal. More than one educational path leads to a career as a registered nurse. A diploma in nursing, once the most common way to a nursing career, involves classes and hands-on training in nursing schools associated with hospitals or medical facilities rather than traditional colleges. Full-time students attend five days a week typically for three years. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year degree offered by community colleges and hospital-based schools of nursing that prepares individuals for a defined sphere of practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BS/BSN) degree is a four-year course of study offered at colleges and universities that prepares graduates to participate in the full range of nursing practice across all healthcare settings. Brown Mackie College - Tulsa offers an Associate of Applied Science degree program in nursing. This 24-month program prepares the student to take the National Council for Licensure Exam for a Registered Nurse. Upon passing this national third-party exam, a student would become a registered nurse. “Students at Brown Mackie College take one class per month,” said John Pappas, campus president. “It is a great way for students to balance college with the rest of their busy lives. Brown Mackie College has a very strong campus community; we take great pride in getting to know our students. The faculty members in this program are all nurses and have a tremendous amount of experience that they share with the students.” Nursing students currently enrolled in an accredited school of nursing who are in the last two semesters of the nursing program can participate in a nurse externship program. Oklahoma State University Medical Center offers a 10-week program that provides practical experience that enables nursing students to get acquainted with the clinical setting and apply academic knowledge to practice. “It is a temporary paid position which offers valuable clinical experience,” said Joy Upshaw, chief nursing officer with OSU Medical Center. “This is a very competitive program for nursing students. “Our program is unique in that we allow the student to shadow on all nursing units via self-scheduling,” Upshaw added. “They are not assigned to one particular area or service line during their 10-week pro-

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More than one educational path leads to a career as a registered nurse. Among the opportunities are programs that enable nursing students to get acquainted with the clinical setting and apply academic knowledge to practice. gram. They can shadow on different units on every scheduled rotation. This provides a unique opportunity for the student to experience multiple areas to help determine future career decisions.” St. John Medical Center also has a nurse extern program. “The externship helps students determine an area of specialty they may pursue after graduation. It also gives students an opportunity to establish working relationships with our associates and leadership at St. John,” said Ebony Fultz, staff development specialist with St. John Medical Center. “The program lasts eight to 10 weeks each spring, summer and fall. Approximately 20 to 30 nurse externs participate in each of the programs.” In addition to the nurse extern program, St. John Medical Center has the Innovative Professional Development Unit (IPDU), a progressive cardiopulmonary renal unit that offers a one-year, comprehensive and individualized orientation program for new graduate nurses. The program focuses on developing critical

I was so impressed by the oncology nurses who cared for my uncle that I decided to become a nurse. Nursing means getting to share a journey with patients, encouraging them and being there to help them during a difficult time. I have a treasure chest of memories from my career. One very special time is when I got to share my oncology knowledge to help a dear friend through her cancer journey. It was a gift I could give her, and I will always cherish that opportunity. Nursing, especially oncology nursing, provides endless opportunities to grow, learn and connect with people in such a beautiful way.

Kendra Cancer Treatment Centers of America Everyone deserves to know that they are cared for and respected. I chose the field of nursing for the ability to live these values in my daily life. I would encourage others to consider nursing as a career because it offers job security, flexible schedules, advancement opportunities and fulfilling work. Nursing means the ability to impact lives daily. It is the chance to care for something bigger and beyond yourself. Nursing offers so many special moments. Just last week, I had an elderly woman hug me when my shift ended, and she told me I had made her day better by being her nurse. These special moments create a career of precious memories.

Elizabeth Hillcrest Hospital Cushing

thinking, building self-confidence, mastering skills and cultivating professionalism. The IPDU helps nurses transition to successful lifelong careers in nursing. “The IPDU was designed to offer highly motivated and career-focused graduate nurses an environment where they can develop critical thinking and acute nursing skills. They also benefit greatly from the mentoring and peer support of experienced nurses,” said Janet Field, clinical coordinator for St. John Medical Center. Educational options are abundant for those who seek a career in nursing. Additional opportunities are available for advancing the expertise of registered nurses such as master’s degree programs to prepare advanced practice nurses, nurse administrators and nurse educators. Doctor of Philosophy programs focus on research for those who desire to teach or have a career in research. In addition, Doctor of Nursing Practice programs focus on clinical practice or leadership roles.

I became a nurse 23 years ago for the simple reason that I wanted to help people. One very special memory for me as a nurse was the privilege of working alongside my mother who is also a nurse. It was a special time, and I will always treasure it. As a nurse providing care to those in need, I am the one who receives so much more in return. I am a Rotarian, and we believe in practicing service above self. That is what nursing means to me. Nursing affords me the opportunity to serve others and utilize the gifts I’ve been blessed with to help those in need. I would encourage those thinking about a nursing career to strongly consider it if they want to be able to help change a person’s life. As a nurse, that is what we have the ability to do each day, and it is extremely rewarding.

Kathryn St. John Owasso I believe nursing is a calling more than just a choice. Prior to nursing, I was in aviation. Since Sept. 9, 2011, aviation has not provided me the stability or self-satisfaction that I desired in my career. It was my wife’s suggestion to try nursing. Since taking her advice, I have found my true calling in life. The only regret I have is that I didn’t start nursing earlier in my career. Giving is receiving, and receiving is giving — that’s truly the secret that lies behind living. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Wayne Oklahoma State University Medical Center Continued page 4

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • NU 3

C E L E B R AT I N G N U R S E S W E E K • M AY 6 - 1 2 , 2 0 1 4

we salute our extraordinary nurses who are changing lives every day. Thank you for your commitment to quality healthcare.

NU 4 • TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT I love helping and taking care of people. I am a caregiver at work and at home. When people ask what I do for a living I love being able to say, “I am a Registered Nurse.” Nursing means always caring for people no matter who it is or what the cost. You care for patients and their families. My favorite memory was my first day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I have made so many friends and have become part of a wonderful family. There are so many opportunities for growth in nursing. You will never have trouble finding a job, and nurses are always in demand.

Kristen Cancer Treatment Centers of America I was born to be a nurse. Some of my earliest memories are of asking my mom to buy me only the damaged stuffed animals so I could “nurse” them back to health. Years later, after doing a project on Clara Barton, a famous Civil War nurse, I found I was intrigued by the art of nursing. Nursing is a holistic approach to medicine. It’s the collaboration of scientific processes, critical thinking and problem solving combined with the compassionate and gentle care of the patient’s emotional and physical needs. I would encourage others to consider nursing because it offers enough unique paths to pique any individual’s interest. It provides an active and flexible working environment with teamwork and continuing education. It’s also very satisfying because we are there for our patients during some of the happiest, or most trying, times of their lives. As an NICU nurse, memories are made not only with the infants but the families as well. I will always remember when the first micro premature infant I took care of came back to visit our team. He was crawling, no longer required oxygen and was monitor free. His mother thanked us for the care we had given him. It’s moments like this that truly remind me that, as a nurse, I make a difference in the lives of others.

Leah Helmerich Women’s Health Center at Hillcrest I made the choice to become a nurse because I wanted to work in a profession where I could help people. Nursing was the best choice for me. My experiences after becoming a nurse are what made me the health professional I am. My father-in-law had bypass surgery shortly after I graduated, and the nursing care that he received was filled with compassion. He passed away during his second surgery, but the care did not stop with him. Our family was treated extremely well, just as if we were the staff’s family, too. After that, I knew the best way to care for a patient was to treat them as my family would want to be treated, and caring for the patient meant caring for the family also. That has been the goal in each area where I have worked. The return I have received from my patients has been a hundredfold more than what I felt I gave to them. I have been so blessed in my career, and I’ve met wonderful people along the way.

Diane St. John Medical Center Nursing is still very much a health educator’s dream job. I am teaching, literally, all the time. Whether it’s instructing a patient on how to use the call light or what side effects to look for from a new prescription or showing a new nurse some tricks-of-the-trade, I spend a considerable part of my day sharing what I know. But nursing is so much more. Nursing means that I will care for people during their sickest, most vulnerable times, and I will have the privilege of helping them return to a state of well-being. Nursing means that I will witness very precious moments that may only happen once in a lifetime. Nursing means that I will share joy and grief with my patients and will help them make sense out of the confusion that illness creates. And above all, nursing means that I may be exhausted at the end of the day, but I will sleep well knowing that I am doing the work that I was made to do. So, while I never really intended to be a nurse, I can’t imagine doing anything else. And I have found my place with OSUMC.

Livia Oklahoma State University Medical Center I remember being about 20 years old and feeling called to become a nurse. However, I did not pursue nursing as a career until later in life. I am glad I followed my heart to become a nurse. I feel it is a career where you gain a tremendous sense of achievement through healing and caring for other people. In addition to the satisfaction I get from my work, the flexible schedules and working hours unique to nursing allow me to live a comfortable lifestyle.

Fiona Hillcrest Hospital South

NURSES DAY My mother was a nurse, and she spoke very highly of the importance of nursing. She instilled in me that nurses were partners with physicians. Nursing is the art of being present, being able to listen, connect and help someone return to their optimal health. We celebrate people for who they are. My special memories are of all my miracle patients — those patients who beat the odds, survive and thrive. One of my fellow nurses’ son was critically ill on a ventilator with seven tubes in his chest, yet he lived, returned to school to be an engineer and is now also a husband and father. I would encourage others to become a nurse because nursing has so many areas a person can work. The connections make it all worthwhile. You are there at times of crisis, birth or death to be an advocate and make bonds that last a lifetime.

Margaret Cancer Treatment Centers of America I never meant to be a nurse. I wanted to be a health educator, and that is what I went to college to become. But at graduation, the health educator jobs available were requiring either a master’s degree or an RN degree. I was not interested in the master’s program at the university I attended. So, by default, I took the RN route, and that decision has made all the difference. Nursing is a lifestyle. It’s a journey that changes how you see the world and the people in it. I never felt drawn to any other profession the way I still do toward nursing. There is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing a person become well again or watching new parents hold their child for the first time. There is a fire that burns inside of every nurse to care and nurture those in need. Teaching is another aspect of nursing that drives me. People want to be educated about their own and their family members’ illnesses or medical procedures. Being the resource they need and sharing the knowledge I have gained is extremely exciting to me. I feel that if I do not teach a patient or family member in some way each day, I have failed. I am thankful I chose to be a nurse. My dad always said success is being able to wake up and want to go to work each day. I have found true success.

Hollie Oklahoma State University Medical Center The day I was born, my mom’s appendix ruptured. As a result, she underwent emergency surgery and endured a premature C-section. As if that wasn’t enough, the electricity had been knocked out after seven tornadoes touched down. The hospital was forced to use generators to supply enough power to care for patients. Both my mom and I almost lost our lives that day due to the severity of the circumstances. Some 28 years later, my mom and dad still remember the nurse who selflessly provided excellent care and sacrificed her time to care for us. The impact that nurse was able to make on our lives, along with my passion for people, aided in my decision to pursue a nursing career. Nursing gives me the opportunity to be an example of Christ to patients, families and my coworkers on a daily basis.

Amanda Jane Phillips Medical Center I became a nurse to make a difference in people’s lives. After experiencing the impact nurses made on me when I had a family member critically ill, I knew I wanted to do the same for other families. Nursing is being there for someone at the point of their greatest need and supporting them through it. I always love when patients visit the ICU after recovering and getting to see them healthy and full of life. Nursing has endless possibilities to touch others’ lives, as well as grow personally and professionally.

Matthew Cancer Treatment Centers of America I don’t feel I became a nurse; I feel like I have always been a nurse. It’s what I am. I love nursing. I have been an RN for 22 years now, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. My hospital is my second home, and my patients and co-workers are my second family. Nursing gives me a purpose in life. It makes me feel as though I make a difference in someone’s life. I encourage anyone, male or female, to consider a career in nursing. Not only is it a stable career choice, but there are so many different areas of nursing to explore. If I can help to decrease my patients’ and their families’ suffering, I feel like I have helped to do my part. We are born nurses, and I will proudly be one always.

Wendy St. John Sapulpa

Sunday, May 4, 2014

I became a nurse because I have the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, and I genuinely enjoy working with people. Nursing is the absolute best profession for this. We help care and show compassion for people during their most vulnerable time. And, many times our small gestures leave a lasting impact on our patients. Being a nurse means providing physical and emotional care to patients during some of life’s most difficult moments. It also means carrying an immense amount of responsibility and facing challenges every day. As a nurse, you are able to see a person’s capacity for love, courage and endurance. I have taken care of some very special people who have impacted my life forever. While working in oncology, a family wrote me a letter after their loved one had passed thanking me for the care that I provided them. That was the first time I realized the impact nurses have, not only on the patient, but on the family as well.

Laura Oklahoma Heart Institute I love caring for people. I was unclear which career path to choose, so I prayed for direction and truly received spiritual guidance. Nursing means the opportunity to care for and nurture patients at their weakest, while celebrating when they recover. It also means providing emotional care for patients and their families on their cancer journey. My most special memory from my nursing career was the first time I was caring for a patient and him asking me to pray for him. I felt so honored. I would encourage others to become a nurse because it is the most rewarding career ever. I would tell them of the variety in nursing as a profession and the flexibility with scheduling. Also, there are opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Norma Cancer Treatment Centers of America Nursing is the art and science of caring, using tools based on fundamental human values, such as kindness, acceptance and caring for self and others. In the current healthcare climate, nursing is the ability to consistently approach each patient with the intention to heal and provide the highest quality of care while maintaining a positive impact on the mind, body and spirit of the people around you. I encourage others to consider becoming a nurse because the need is there. Being a registered nurse is a reality check. Nursing is a unique and intimate profession. It is very important to care for the people around you. It is part of the human experience to need help and to help. When you help your neighbor, you really help yourself.

Heather Oklahoma State University Medical Center Growing up, I was influenced to care for others by watching my mother and grandmother take care of our family. They taught me to understand that not everything is about you, and sometimes you need to focus your energy on caring for others. My mother was a nurse for many years so it just seemed natural for me to become a nurse, too. If you are considering a career in nursing, I would encourage you to do so because it fulfills your need to reach out to others in their time of need. Nursing means everything to me; I can’t see myself doing anything else.

Renee Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta Nursing means being blessed to work with a group of dedicated individuals who exemplify the true meaning of compassion. Nursing isn’t just a profession but a calling. It’s having the ability to make a positive impact in someone’s life every day. In nursing, you get to view all aspects of life. I’ve had the privilege of helping a newborn baby take his first breath and provide comfort when an elderly man took his last. In nursing, you are able to share in a family’s most intimate moments. As nurses, we sometimes see people at their worst but are able to make a difference in the comfort and care we provide to help make them better. We are able to touch lives without saying a word, by simply offering a hand to hold and lending support. Nursing allows you to think outside the box and give that patient or family what they need when all else seems hopeless or lost. Nursing is an extremely rewarding job. I’m proud of what I do each and every day.

Kristin St. John Medical Center

Continued page 8

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • NU 5

Congratulations to these nurses who were selected by their managers for their commitment to providing exceptional care.

Back row: RN BSN; Cynthia, Rusty, Kathy,LPN; Wayne, BackPam, row left to right: Linda,LPN; RN, •Livia, John,RN, RN,BSN, BSN,BS; • Cody, RN,RN; BSN, • Greg, RN, MBA LPN Front row: BSN; RN, BSN; Nikkia, BSN Front row left to right: Emily, LPN, • Tia, RN, Angie BSN, • RN, Kayla, RN,Amalia, BSN, • Alexis, RN,Hollie, BSN, •RN; Amalia, RN,RN, BSN, • Dana, RN, BSN, IBCLC, • Hallee, RN

Caring is more than a calling...it’s a way of life. Our devoted and loyal nurses elOur committed, committed, devoted and loyal nurses elevate evate the standards of the nursing profession the standards of the nursing profession today today andday. every day. In celebration of National and every In celebration of National Nurses Nurses Daywe 2014, weour thank ourwho nurses Day 2013, thank nurses havewho have dedicated their to making a differdedicated their lives tolives making a difference in ence in the lives of our our patients, our medical the lives of our patients, medical center and center and our physicians. our physicians. Nurses, today we celebrate YOU!!

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

NU 6 • TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

What Nurses Do There are many different types of nurses and types of nursing jobs. The American Nurses Association provides the following overview. Registered Nurses Responsibilities: • Perform physical exams and health histories. • Provide health promotion, counseling and education.

• Administer medications, wound care and numerous other personalized interventions. • Interpret patient information and make critical decisions about needed actions. • Coordinate care in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals. • Direct and supervise

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care delivered by other healthcare personnel like LPNs and nurse aides. • Conduct research in support of improved practice and patient outcomes. Settings: RNs practice in all healthcare settings: hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, ambulatory care centers, community health centers, schools and retail clinics. They also provide health care in more surprising locations such as camps, homeless shelters, prisons, sporting events and tourist destinations. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is an umbrella term given to a registered nurse who has at least a master’s educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all RNs and who provides at least some level of direct care to patient populations. Under this umbrella fit the principal types of APRNs: • Nurse practitioner (NP) — Working in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, or private offices, nurse practitioners provide a wide range of primary and preventive healthcare services, prescribe medication, and diagnose and treat common minor illnesses and injuries. • Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) — CNMs provide well-woman gynecological and low-risk obstetrical care in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. • Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) — Working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private offices and community-based settings, CNSs handle a wide range of physical and mental health problems. They also work in consultation, research, education, and administration. • Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) — The oldest of the advanced nursing specialties, CRNAs administer more than 65 percent of anesthetics given to patients each year. Licensed Practical Nurses Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) complement the healthcare team by providing basic and routine care consistent with their education under the direction of an RN, APRN or MD/DO in a variety of settings.

Patient care is at the core of nursing, and the rewards nurses derive from ministering to patients’ needs cannot be measured.

Professional Pathways in Nursing By Stefanie Forney

to name a few,” said Denise Geuder, chief nursing officer with Cancer Treatment CenNursing is the fastest grow- ters of America. “Most nurses ing occupation in the United begin their career working in States. The Bureau of Labor direct patient care in hospiStatistics projects employtal settings, and then many ment of registered nurses to nurses transition to other grow 19 percent from 2012 roles as they gain experience. to 2022, faster than the aver“According to the Ameriage for all occupations. can Nurses Association, of the An increased emphasis 2.6 million nurses employed on preventive care, growing in the U.S., 62.2 percent of rates of chronic conditions the nurses are employed in such as obesity and diabetes, hospitals,” Geuder added. and a higher demand for “Many nurses are pursuing healthcare services from the advanced practice fields that baby boomer population are obtained through further all contribute to the rapid education at the master’s growth of the profession. level, including clinical nurse Few professions provide specialist, nurse practitioner as many choices of where to and certified registered nurse work and areas of specializa- anesthetist.” tion as nursing. The range A career in nursing delivof specialties is almost as ers many benefits. Flexible varied as the personalities of scheduling opportunities the nurses. allow nurses to adapt their “There is no end to difcareer hours to their family’s ferent roles that nurses can needs. fulfill from direct patient care “Nursing is unique bein hospitals, ambulatory setcause it offers 12-hour shifts, tings, physician offices, home flexible schedules and even care, end of life care, manage- the opportunity to move ment, administration, nursing from full-time to part-time informatics, insurance comand1 even PRN status during 04_30_13 TUL Nursing ad.pdf 4/30/13 3:45 PM panies, and education and different phases of life,” said advanced practice fields, just Maddie Hill, Hillcrest Medical Special Sections Editor

Center senior nurse recruiter. “Nursing also offers excellent pay, opportunities for career advancement and a number of different career paths.” Patient care is at the core of nursing, and the rewards nurses derive from ministering to patients’ needs cannot be measured. These highly skilled practitioners optimize patient health, prevent illness and injury, and alleviate suffering. Not only do they make a tremendous difference to their patients, but their care for these individuals has farreaching effects for families as well. “It’s important to note that there is a major emphasis on clinical quality and safety within all healthcare settings, and nurses are uniquely positioned to help develop and/ or increase the safeguards and checks and balances of patient care,” said Lynn Sund, Saint Francis Healthy System senior vice president/chief nurse executive and Saint Francis Hospital administrator. “Most importantly, nursing is a rewarding profession and provides individuals a way to truly make a difference in their community.”

“Nurses are the heart of healthcare.” ~Donna Wilk Cardillo

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Brown Mackie College - Tulsa is proud to recognize

National Nurses Day In appreciation of their dedication and hard work that has an impact on so many lives, Brown Mackie College - Tulsa is proud to recognize National Nurses Day. We are more than grateful to be a part of the learning process that helps to fulfill the need for well trained professionals in the healthcare field; we are committed to delivering the excellence in education that has been a tradition at Brown Mackie College for over 120 years. If you are considering becoming a nurse, find out how Brown Mackie College – Tulsa can support you in reaching your goal.

Call today:

918.628.3700

Visit online:

BrownMackie.edu 4608 South Garnett, Suite 110 • Tulsa, OK 74146

EOE

©2013 Brown Mackie College 05/13 Brown Mackie College is a system of over 25 schools and does not guarantee third-party certification. Outside agencies control the requirements for certifications and are subject to change without notice. See BMCprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, programmatic accreditation and other important info. Accredited member, ACICS. Lic. OBVPS. Granted authority to operate in Oklahoma by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73101 405.225.9100 www.okhighered.org. Apple, the Apple logo and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc.,registered in the U.S. and other countries.

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • NU 7

BY CHOICE, YOU ARE NURSES, AND BY GRACE, YOU ARE OURS.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY INSPIRED BY YOU, OUR EXCEPTIONAL NURSING STAFF. Through your devotion, expertise and compassion, you improve the lives of our patients and make the St. John Health System a leader in regional healthcare. It is our distinct honor to work by your side.

St. John Medical Center is Northeast Oklahoma’s Only Magnet®-recognized Facility

Happy Nurse Appreciation Week.

NU 8 • TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT When I was 15, I had ACL reconstruction surgery. I had the best nurse, who showed compassion. He motivated me to become an RN and to help people the way he helped me. It’s amazing how people can plant seeds and not even realize what they are doing. Nursing is very holistic:, from being patient advocate to giving a hug or wiping a tear from a patient’s face. We help each patient individually, showing them they are more than a number. Nursing is a passion — it’s who I am. I remember taking care of a homeless man who had a terminal prognosis. His hair was matted and had not been groomed. My goal was to bathe him, give him a haircut, shave him and help him eat breakfast. He did not have the strength to feed himself, and he started crying. I jokingly said I didn’t know my company was that bad. He responded that he was a bad man and didn’t deserve such great treatment. I told him I saw him as a sweet man, full of dignity and character and not to talk about my patient that way anymore. Although very sick, he lived another six months and was able to rekindle and heal family relationships. Nursing is a profession where we can make a difference every day. I am blessed, and thank God for the opportunity to help others. +

NURSES DAY I left a banking job to become a nurse. While the bankers’ hours were nice, I wasn’t fulfilled. Life is a gift, and I feel honored to assist my patients in living theirs to the fullest. Nursing is the most rewarding job there is, and I am passionate in helping others see it the same way. As a nurse, you help the wounded heal spiritually, physically and emotionally, and sometimes you are there to hold their hand as they pass away. There will always be a need for nurses so job security and flexibility are benefits as well. One memory that stands out is when an EMT, with whom I had worked, came into the ER with a “cough” and “a little chest discomfort.” Recognizing the signs, we immediately began an in-depth exam. Although she assured us that she was fine and even seemed a little annoyed with our “overkill workup,” she tolerated us. She was quickly flown to Tulsa for life-saving stents and bypasses at Oklahoma Heart Institute. Today, she lives near me, and I have the honor of seeing her live a productive, healthy life. What is outstanding about this story is that she is alive partly due to advice she had once given me: listening to patients doesn’t always mean just hearing their words but watching to see how they feel.

Regina Utica Park Clinic

Paula Cancer Treatment Centers of America To me, nursing means community. Nursing requires relationship building and partnerships with patients, families, physicians, co-workers and academia to facilitate the best outcomes for patients. It means that I always provide excellent care to my patients and my co-workers. Nursing means touching a patient’s hand, being nurturing and listening to the patient. It means leadership, life-long learning, utilizing evidence-based best practices, and, last but not least, nursing means showing up and being engaged.

Lisa St. John Medical Center I became a nurse to have a career that is worthwhile. Nursing provides me an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those I have the privilege to serve. Nursing means providing competent and skilled care to heal the body with sincere compassion for the emotional needs of patients and their families. It also embodies being the ultimate advocate and educator for patients and their loved ones empowering them during a time when many feel anxious and vulnerable. After 18 years of nursing, I will still never forget the first patient of mine that passed away and the imprint that she left. She touched my life with her beautiful spirit, her zest for life and imparted some wisdom that will forever be a part of me.

Tonia Bailey Medical Center I became a nurse because of its many options for career advancement and continuing education. It is a very flexible career, and the road doesn’t necessarily end when you become an RN. For some, it is just the beginning. These are precisely the reasons why I would encourage others to look to nursing when thinking about a first, or even second, career. Some nurses will change specialties or the age group they care for and have a completely new experience. Nursing allows you the continued freshness of a new job that is, at the same time, a very stable career that is very beneficial to others. My time as a nurse is flooded with special memories built by co-workers and patients. For me, it’s the small things that really get me. One of my most treasured memories was when I had a patient’s family member tell me their dad, whom I was taking care of, told them I had kind eyes. It just felt great that through all the medical jargon and uncomfortable procedures, this patient could see my genuine care and concern.

Betty Alexander Burn Center at Hillcrest

I’ve wanted to help others for as long as I can remember. I looked at many different careers and always came back to nursing. In my job, I get to help people every day. Of course, there are bad days, but when you save a life, witness a miracle or just make someone smile, it makes all the bad days seem small in comparison. I get to come home every day knowing I helped someone during a difficult, frightening time, and that is special. I encourage others to consider nursing because it is so fulfilling. It’s a privilege to care for another and impact them in ways that they will remember for a lifetime. Also, with the nursing shortage growing, the need for caring, compassionate people is great. If you want to make a difference, help those in need and learn invaluable skills you can apply almost anywhere, nursing is for you. Nursing means compassion, caring, empathy and so much more. Seeing people at their worst and giving them everything you can to care for and improve their situation is very humbling. It becomes part of your identity.

Robin Hillcrest Hospital Claremore I entered nursing school thinking that becoming a nurse would be a good career and be a great chance to help others. While those things have proven to be true, what I could not anticipate is how much importance nursing would have in my life. Nursing is the deep bond that only caregivers can understand and one that they develop with those they help on a daily basis. The team atmosphere and camaraderie with other staff members can get you through even the toughest days. One of the best feelings I have as a nurse is seeing a great patient recovery and how well they have done after being discharged from the hospital. When starting my nursing career, I never realized how different each day would be. There is always something new to learn.

Kevin Jane Phillips Medical Center I have been a nurse for 44 years, 38 years at St. John Medical Center. Nurses play many vital roles in caring for their patients. One of the most important is being a patient advocate. The role of advocate requires nurses to act as a communicator, liaison between patients, family and physicians; an educator, interpreter and caregiver. Nurses advocate for their patients every day while providing optimal patient care and striving for positive patient outcomes.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Nursing is not just a profession. It is an opportunity to make a difference in our patients’ lives, especially in their time of need. In women’s health, we often keep expectant mothers in the hospital with various conditions for weeks or even months until their delivery. Interventions from nurses are vital for good patient outcomes. Many years ago, when I worked the night shift, I was privileged to care for an expectant mother who required such an intervention. The outcome was good. For many years, the mother would bring her son to our unit to see me on his birthday. She would come to the desk and ask, “Where is the angel that came in the night to save my baby?” I received a picture each year when they visited. I treasure the experience, and I am glad my nursing care made a difference to this family.

Debbie St. John Center for Women’s Health My mother encouraged me until I enrolled in LPN school. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for the pushing she did to get me into the career. The special contact with patients and the feeling you get when you make a difference in their lives can change you forever. The place that I have really enjoyed working is with the hyperbaric patients. You need to gain their trust and show them that they are safe in the chamber. It is a scary procedure for the patient to be at your mercy to open the door. The feeling you have when you know you have gained their confidence and they feel safe with you is special. I guess I owe my career to my mother’s encouragement and the happiness to my patients.

Kathy Oklahoma State University Medical Center I have always enjoyed being with people. Nursing gives me the opportunity to not only work with others but also to assist them in a time of need. I want to help others, and nursing is the perfect fit. Nursing is the opportunity to care for others while receiving more than you could ever give. Through the years, I have grown and learned so much from the patients and families I have had the honor of working with and serving. As a supervisor, some of my favorite memories are of the nurses I manage and their successes. It is so gratifying to be part of someone’s growth and achievements. I am very proud of the nursing profession. I continue to grow, not only professionally, but personally as well. It has afforded me a very comfortable lifestyle that allows me to do for others as well as take care of myself. The satisfaction in knowing that you have made a difference in the life of someone is the reward.

Don Cancer Treatment Centers of America There have been many changes throughout my nursing career, some triumphant, some disturbing, others were inevitable. Recently I finished a book where hidden within the story an old Scottish saying emerged, and the very essence of nursing came to light. The author writes the following, “What treatment in an emergency is administered by ear?” The answer almost was too simple to contemplate. “Words of comfort.” The fact that nurses are attentive to the body does not compensate for our ignoring their being. My unending journey of discovering the measure of being a nurse.

Deborah Oklahoma State University Medical Center

Linda St. John Medical Center

I decided to become a nurse to help others in need. I love being a caregiver and helping. I love the relationships I’ve built with co-workers and patients. It’s very rewarding. Nursing means taking care of patients, physically and emotionally during their illness. It means listening to what they’re saying and giving care. I took care of one patient for an extended time and developed relationships with the patient and family. When he was feeling better he told my co-workers he remembered us making him laugh and keeping him going during such a hard time in his life. I still hear from him and his wife, and I will never forget them. I would encourage others to become a nurse. Nursing provides opportunities to have a career and help others.

I became a nurse after working several years in a nursing home and really enjoyed helping others who could not help themselves. Nursing gives me an avenue to help others in their time of need or crisis. The Nurse Navigation program allows me to help breast cancer patients understand their treatment options better. After 28 years of nursing, I have many memories that are special to me. I cherish the times when my past oncology patients give me a hug in the halls and tell me their victories through their journey. Nursing is the most rewarding thing one can do. Oncology patients have really allowed me to understand the special meaning of life and to enjoy the now.

Tracy Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Alma Cancer Treatment Centers of America

They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Genesis Fellenstein, RN, BSN Inpatient Oncology, Registered Nurse

NURSES DAY

TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT • NU 9

We fight cancer. Every day. In Surgery. Care Management. Clinic. Inpatient Nursing. Infusion. Imaging and Radiation. All throughout the hospital, our nurses make a difference in our patients’ fights against cancer.

Amie Jones, BS, RN Clinic, Nursing Supervisor

It’s in their compassion, responsiveness and innovation, and in the way they work together as a team to provide high quality, integrative cancer care to patients. To the hundreds of RNs, LPNs, advanced practice providers and other clinical support staff, we thank you for your dedication to our patients and their families. You truly embody the Mother Standard® of care.

Rick Atwood, RN, BSN Stem Cell Unit, Registered Nurse

From all of us at Cancer Treatment Centers of America®, Happy Nurses’ Day!

To learn more, please visit cancercenter.com.

Julie M. Whitford, RN, BSN, OCN Infusion Center, Nursing Manager

Sunday, May 4, 2014

NURSES DAY

NU 10 • TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

National Nurses Week MAY 6 – 12

Outstanding nurses are a critical part of our healthcare team. Saint Francis Health System 2013 Nurse Mentor Award Winners

Kara Balzer, RN

Angela Barton, RN

Melissa Cottrell, APRN

Carol DeYoung, RN

Erica Fuentes, RN

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL

LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL

Linda Garrison, RN

Nancy Hancin, RN

Tonia Harper, RN

Eva Harris, RN

Megan Ryan, RN

THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS

LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL SOUTH

HEART HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS

Rena Scott, RN

Jamie Webb, RN

Gayle York, LPN

Ashley Yuras, RN

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPICE AND HOME HEALTH

WARREN CLINIC

TRAUMA EMERGENCY CENTER

Since 1960, Saint Francis Health System has built a reputation of providing quality healthcare to our community — and our nurses are a big reason that reputation is still going strong. With a multitude of clinical specialties, our nurses provide excellent care to patients and families through their knowledge, skill, care and kindness. To all of the nurses at Saint Francis Hospital, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, Warren Clinic, the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, Saint Francis Hospital South, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital and Saint Francis Home Health and Hospice, thank you for the care you provide—and the lives you touch.

saintfrancis.com Saint Francis Health System | 918-494-2200