Photo by BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer
Allen College nursing students study for ďŹ nal exams.
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A SALUTE TO NURSES
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SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010
Advanced practice nurse provides specialized care Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who provide primary and specialty care. They have education and training beyond what is required of a registered nurse. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illness, nurse practitioners place a strong emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Today, there are more than 125,000 nurse practitioners in the United States. Janel Thompson, nurse practitioner, plays an important role in keeping area residents healthy. She provides primary care and ear, nose and throat services to the residents of Waverly and surrounding communities. Thompson practices at the Christophel Clinic at Waverly Health Center. Previously, she worked with Dr. Ann Bell in her ear, nose and throat clinic in Waverly. When Bell closed her practice, patients were concerned that they would not be able to receive the same services locally. However, with Thompson’s transition to the Christophel Clinic, she is able to continue to provide treatment for chronic and acute ear, nose and throat conditions. Services include: ■ Ear cleanings with a surgical microscope. ■ Ear and sinus cultures. ■ Nosebleed care. ■ Management of sinus disease. ■ Management of hoarseness, throat clearing and chronic cough. For patients in need of ear, nose or throat surgery, care can be provided by Dr. Joseph Hart, a visiting specialist at the health center. “I am pleased with the smooth transition to the new clinic,” Thompson said. “I know it is easier for my patients because they are familiar with the facility. They can be confident that they will receive the same level of care. I have the same specialty equipment in the new clinic.” Thompson received her bache-
lor’s degree and master’s degree from Allen College. At Allen, she specialized in family practice. “I enjoy being a nurse practitioner because of the time I get to spend getting to know my patients and the opportunity to continue to learn,” she said. Thompson also provides fam-
ily medical services at Christophel Clinic. “Transitioning back into a family practice setting has been interesting and rewarding,” she said. “It is nice to be able to coach patients about what they can do to make sure they stay healthy.”
Thompson also works closely with three other members of the Christophel Clinic team. Dr. Clay Dahlquist and Sarah DeVore, nurse practitioner, join her in providing family medical services. In addition, Jennifer Schneiderman, a licensed independent social worker and cer-
tified grief counselor, provides mental health and counseling services. In the fall, pediatrician Dr. Stacy Wagner will join the clinic. For more information about ear, nose and throat or family medical services at Christophel Clinic, call 483-1390.
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010
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Experts: Next decade will bring great demand for nurses By TINA HINZ tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com
WATERLOO — A nursing shortage has yet to hit the Cedar Valley. But the area is not immune. The future may hold a bleaker fate. Area health officials say the economic recession discouraged retirement and prompted many nurses to ask for extra hours. “I have seen just since the first of the year a number of our nurses ... are now coming forward with retirement dates,” said Nancy Weber, vice president/chief nursing officer of mission integration for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Several December graduates from Allen College just recently found local positions, said assistant professor Peg Broadie. Some hospitals have been forced to make cutbacks, and openings are hard to come by. People aren’t coming into the hospital as frequently, and
fewer nurses are expected to take care of more patients. “With the recession and some people losing jobs, new graduates are competing with more experienced nurses for positions,” said Teresa Isaacson, who graduated with a master’s degree in science and nursing from Allen in December. She has since joined the faculty there, teaching obstetrics and pediatric clinical, and works at Covenant. But the demand for nurses is cyclical, Broadie said. When she graduated from the University of Iowa in December 1984, she landed only part-time work. “I was kind of in the same boat,” she said. “I had to take nights in a unit that wasn’t my first specialty.” While Covenant Medical Center has a low vacancy rate, other parts of the country are experiencing recruitment troubles. Larger cities offer multiple health care systems, and employees have
Nursing students Leah Koelker, left, and April Jeffrey begin their pathophysiology final exam with classmates at Allen College. Nurses always will be in demand, industry experts say. BRANDON POLLOCK / Courier Staff Photographer
a tendency to jump around. Movement between Waterloo’s two large health care facilities is “fairly minimal,” which provides more stability, Weber said. Even so, Covenant foresees a
According to Parsons: huge gap 10 years down the road as baby boomers age and need ■ Health care work force needs more medical attention, said Vicki are expected to grow by 24 percent Parsons, vice president of human in the next 10 years. resources at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. See DEMAND, page 6
At Cedar Valley Hospice, our nurses are experts in end-of-life care and are committed to excellence. Thank you for Making Each Moment Matter.
800.617.1972 | cvhospice.org Waterloo | Grundy Center | Independence Waverly | Hospice Home
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Hy-Vee helps make healthier community
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare nurses recognized
By HEIDI OBERRIEDER
Nurses are a vital part of the health care team working to make our community healthier. Hy-vee has joined the team by providing in-store dietitians and pharmacists to extend the work of nurses into the retail marketplace. These professionals support customers as they work to follow the instructions given by nurses and doctors. Hy-Vee dietitian services include biometric health screenings to help you keep tabs on your blood pressure, body mass index and glucose and cholesterol levels. In selected stores, the pharmacy provides a membership program that will take your blood pressure on a continual basis and fax results to your doctor. Hy-Vee dietitians will take customers on a store tour to ďŹ nd foods appropriate to special dietary needs like low sodium, low sugar, heart-healthy and gluten-free. To help customers make healthier choices in the supermarket, Hy-Vee dietitians utilize the NuVal nutrition scoring system. Each product in the store is given a NuVal score between 1 (least healthy) and 100 (most healthy). A complex math formula is used to find the NuVal score, considering both healthy and unhealthy nutrients. Located on the product price tag, a NuVal score allows customers to make quick nutrition comparisons between items without dealing with confusing product claims. Living a healthy lifestyle is easy when you follow the advice of your health care team. Doctors may be the entry point to understanding your own health issues, but it is allied health professionals like nurses, dietitians and pharmacists who provide the nuts and bolts of health management. To help you lead a healthier lifestyle, Hy-Vee dietitians join nurses in suggesting these simple tips for living healthier and happier:
See HY-VEE, page 7
There is a sense of pride when employees take the company’s mission, vision and values to heart. At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, several nurses will be honored for their commitment to patients and the organization. ■Linda Dart, a licensed practical nurse at Covenant Clinic Family Practice, Suite 210, is being honored for her outstanding compassion for patients. She has visited patients in the
nursing home, sent cards and spends time lending an ear or giving a gentle hug. Linda often stays late to make sure patients receive test results in a timely manner. If a patient receives a challenging diagnosis, she spends extra time with the patient and the family to comfort them and explain the diagnosis and next steps. Linda’s heart is truly for the patient and she continues to educate herself about the latest in patient care.
COURTESY PHOTO
IWON award winners are, from left, Melinda Satterlee, Denise Rogers and Linda Dart. Not pictured is Christine Larson.
Healthcare Employment NURSES
Part Time 2nd shift LPN/RN Casual/PRN LPN/RN Apply in person at: Cedar Falls Lutheran Home 7511 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA 50613 www.ch.org E.O.E.
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■Christine “Chris� Larsen, a registered nurse in the Covenant Medical Center Family Birth Center, truly touches patients and the future in her role in the NICU by caring for premature babies and their families. Chris assists during the labor/delivery process by holding the patient’s hand, assisting the labor nurse
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010
or keeping the support person informed. She goes above and beyond in educating the families and anticipating their needs. Chris is one of four RNs who help transport babies safely to other facilities for additional care. Chris is a mentor to
See NURSES, page 7
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010
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PAGE 5
Fulfilling the mission Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare associates serve in other countries A company’s mission statement is a constant reminder to its employees of why the company exists and what the founders envisioned when they took a risk to breathe life into their dreams. At Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, there are hundreds of associates, including physicians, nurses and others, carrying out the mission by serving as missionaries in other countries. Denise Hare took her fist mission trip to Haiti in 1979. After serving two weeks, she was happy to return home to running water, electricity and other comforts. But as time passed, Denise felt something tugging at her heart. She knew it was God calling her to return to mission work. So once again Denise answered the call and went
back to Haiti for six years from 1980 to 1986 to work in a hospital clinic. It was there that she served as a nurse, but also as a teacher, training Haitian women to care for their own. Upon her return, Denise was hired at Covenant, where she has served for 16 years. She has since served on other mission trips, taking vacation time to fulfill God’s calling. “God has created seasons in our lives, and right now it is my time to serve at home,” she said. “My season will change, and someday I hope to return to Haiti to serve God and his people again.” Today, Denise stays in touch with many people she trained and is proud to say many of her students are now serving those injured in the recent
earthquake. Corey Koster and Brenda Corwin went on a medical mission trip to Haiti in January. The team included their husbands, Covenant physicians and others. “It was our love of God and desire to serve his people that inspired this trip,” Brenda said. They served at a makeshift clinic where they triaged 65 to 200-plus patients each morning. They took turns on call 24 hours a day for obstetrics and emergencies. They delivered about a dozen beautiful babies, and Corey and Brenda were both grateful for their OB/labor and delivery experience many years ago. “One emergency was a young man who had come in unresponsive, and it was determined he had suffered an aneurysm,”
COURTESY PHOTO
Corey Koster and Brenda Corwin served the needs of Haitian women during a mission trip. Brenda said. “We did all we could, but his prognosis was bleak. The family eventually took him home to die on the back of a motorcycle, someone driving and someone behind him to hold him onto the motorcycle.”
These are just a few of the stories about our dedicated, compassionate associates. Thanks to all our physicians, nurses and others who have served and lived out the mission of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.
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DEMAND From page 3 ■Of the 20 fastest-growing jobs in the next 10 years, 10 are going to be health care. ■In Iowa in the next 10 years, a shortfall of 9,000 registered nurses is projected. That means fostering relationships with seventh-graders, including those at Hoover Middle School, Covenant’s Partner in Education, is essential. Covenant hosts a summer medical school program to introduce youth to health care careers. The hospital also connects with soon-to-be nursing graduates of Allen College, Hawkeye Community College and Kaplan University and offers tuition assistance for career development of its own employees. For those returning to nursing, mentors talk with them about how nursing has changed with electronic health records, for example, and encourage them to job shadow in different areas.
THE COURIER Allen College consistently has more students apply than its facilities and faculty can accommodate. For the upcoming fall semester, 45 applications were submitted for 25 spaces, said Doreen Mingo, assistant professor and diversity services adviser. Students also are lining up to ďŹ ll the 32 spots for a 15-month accelerated track, which runs one academic year and two summers instead of six semesters. “Nurse educators with doctoral prepared is where the big shortage is,â€? said Broadie, adding that the average age of Allen instructors is around 50. Many nurses are going back for advanced degrees, while others enroll in nursing school as a second career because their previous job was eliminated, they’re rejoining the work force after raising a family or they’ve had exposure to the medical ďŹ eld and developed an interest. “I look at my children,â€? Weber said. “They’re much more interested and willing to look at exploring new career options than what I
A SALUTE TO NURSES
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would have ever considered when I was their age, so I think it’s just a different value system that they don’t have to stay in the same role.â€? However, among the state’s greatest challenges is retaining young, single nurses, she said. Iowa has one of the lowest average nursing salaries in the country and its low Medicare reimbursement rates are not keeping up with costs at hospitals. Surrounding states and cities with higher reimbursement levels and more competitive salaries frequently steal graduates, she said. Nursing is among the most diversiďŹ ed and exible professions, depending on life’s demands, Weber said. Nearly any shift or day of the week is available, as nurses can work in a hospital, physician’s office, parish, school or insurance company. They also may focus on case management, education or infection control. “You can work as a registered nurse for 30 years, but you can do it
in 25 different areas or specialties,� Mingo said. Health care reform could present more limitless opportunities, like nurse coaches for preventative care, Weber said. They would serve as a resource for patients and families to navigate doctor’s appointments, medications and diets. “Our challenge is really going to be: How can we be sure that we keep our patients healthy and cause them to not end up needing
4 named to list of 100 Great Iowa Nurses Four Waverly Health Center Allen College, Waterloo; and Thurm and Paula Geise, Allen nurses were named to the list Julie Christianson, Sandra Hospital, Waterloo. of 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2010. Rhonda DeBuhr, Dixie Kramer, Kathleen Butschi and Kristal Graves were recognized for their outstanding courage, competence and commitment to patients and the nursing profession. Each year 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored at a ceremony by nursing and community leaders. The Waverly Health Center nurses were honored May 2 at the sixth annual celebration in Des Moines. Nurses selected for this honor represent many sectors of health care, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and school and office nurses. Other area nurses named one of 100 Great Iowa Nurses include: Barbara Boyer and Michelle Ficken, Mental Health Institute, Independence; Patricia Buls and Ruselle DeBonis,
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010 to be readmitted to the hospital?� she said. While some companies are struggling amid the down economy, health sciences continues to grow, Isaacson said. “People are always going to need nurses,� she said. “We can’t be replaced by technology. We can’t be replace by lesser skilled people. People, no matter what their age, are always going to need health care.�
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SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010
A SALUTE TO NURSES
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PAGE 7
Hospice celebrates nurses who ‘deal with life every day’ Asked how nurses do their job day in and day out, Stacy Weinke, director of clinical services at Cedar Valley Hospice, describes the professional CVH nursing team by stating, “We don’t deal with death every day, we deal with life every day. The life is what we focus on.” Weinke is one of the organization’s 20 nationally board certified hospice and palliative care nurses who have devoted their careers to end-of-life care. Hospice nurses and aides say compassion and a desire to help make a person’s death peaceful
are most important in their field. Hospice nurses generally are registered nurses who receive additional training in end-of-life issues. Care is supplemented by a team of professionals, including hospice aides who are certified nursing assistants. Together they provide expert medical care, pain management and emotional support tailored specifically to the patient’s wishes. Last year at Cedar Valley Hospice, 60 hospice nurses and 23 hospice aides cared for nearly 1,000 patients and their families. The organization encourages and
supports its nurses and aides in obtaining national board certification and recently was recognized by the National Board of Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses for that commitment. “Support for staff certification flows from our pledge to the organization’s core values of compassion, education, leadership, quality and excellence,” said Marvin Fagerlind, executive director. Twenty registered nurses at Cedar Valley Hospice have received their National Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse designation including, Karen Arends, Jose-
NURSES From page 4
questions and provides the necessary follow up. Denise focuses her time on patients and their families. Denise has a contagious smile and laugh. Recently, Denise began making hats for a cancer patient who also is a nurse at Covenant Medical Center. The hats became a popular item, and Denise now makes them for other patients at Covenant Cancer Treatment Center. ■ Melinda Satterlee, a licensed practical nurse in the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Sartori Memorial Hospital, recently
had a patient’s wife say she has “excellent care; attention to detail; extraordinary efforts.” Melinda had used patience and extra time with an upset patient, and the spouse was amazed at how Melinda took the potentially trying situation and changed everything. Melinda has a calm, respectful demeanor with all of her patients and their family members. Melinda is tuned in to the patient’s needs and fears and includes the family in the interactions. She communicates with confidence and is a good listener.
associates in the NICU and has touched the lives of hundreds of babies, their families and fellow associates. ■ Denise Rogers, a registered nurse in the Ambulatory Surgery Unit at Covenant Medical Center, is known as the “Call Back Queen” because she takes time to call back dozens of patients to check on them. She takes the time to answer all of the patient’s
HY-VEE From page 4 ■ Visit your physician for a checkup annually. ■ Get 30 minutes or more of exercise daily. ■ Keep sodium intake to less than 2,400 milligrams daily. ■ Eat more fruits and vegetables. ■ Choose whole grains more often than refined grains. ■ Fit 25 to 30 grams of fiber into your daily meal plan. ■ Avoid trans fats and replace saturated fats with healthier unsaturated fats. ■ Limit added sugar intake to less than 10 teaspoons per day. ■ Unplug and take time to relax every day. ■ Smile. Heidi Oberrieder, MS, RD, LD, is a dietitian at the Waverly Hy-Vee. Contact her at 1872dietitian@hyvee.com
Hy-Vee Home Medical on Logan Ave. Your source for Home Medical equipment and supplies.
T hanks for all you do. Hy-Vee Home Medical salutes Cedar Valley nurses for the care and compassion they provide to patients. Hy-Vee Home Medical appreciates the assistance nurses offer to help us take care of our patients.
Logan Avenue 2181 Logan Ave Waterloo
Open Monday-Friday 9-5:30 pm 2181 Logan Ave. • Hy-Vee Home Medical 319-287-8087
lyn Beckstrom, Elisabeth Brock, Angela Broell, Debra Card, Becky Corbin, Rebecca Cummings, Allison Delegardelle, Laura Edler, John Fox, Betty Hackett, Tina Hubbard, Susan Lucier, Susan Morgensen, Jennifer Schneider, Cindi Stone, Yvonne Warner, Becki Wedemeier, Stacy Weinke and Sheryl Wilshusen.
Hospice aides at Cedar Valley Hospice who have earned the designation of certified hospice aide are Gayla Billington, Jamie Cole, Riann Fuelling, Jamie Knowles, Amanda McMurrin, Melissa Moran and Debra West. For more information, call Cedar Valley Hospice at 272-2002 or visit www.cvhospice.org.
When you're a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours - Unknown