SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018 |
Salute to
Up all night Third-shift nurses show dedication to patient care
2018
Nurses
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SALUTE TO NURSES
NIGHT SHIFT NURSES care for patients while the Cedar Valley sleeps META HEMENWAY-FORBES
meta.hemenway-forbes@wcfcourier. com
While the Cedar Valley sleeps, Sandy Jorgenson is wide awake, keeping watch on the sick, the injured and the lonely. The third-shift nurse has worked at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital for 30 years. Every one of those years has been on the night shift, save for a brief stint on days that she jokes was a momentary lapse in judgment. “It was probably about eight months, and I didn’t like it,” Jorgenson said. She’s one of hundreds of Cedar Valley nurses in hospitals and nursing homes who tend to patients in the wee hours, and one of 15 million Americans who work a permanent night shift or regularly rotate in and out of night shifts, according to the Bu-
MATTHEW PUTNEY, COURIER PHOTO EDITOR
Registered nurse Ellen Orbase, left, asks for clarification from fellow nurse Leslie Farley during a recent night shift at Covenant Medical Center.
reau of Labor Statistics. At first, working the night shift was a practicality for Jorgenson. “When I first started it was just me and my three kids; it was easier with a family. I had a college kid who would sleep at my house at night,” she noted. “After I got remarried, it just worked out to have one parent in the house at all times.” Her kids have grown and flown the nest, but Jorgenson has stayed on third shift. “I always tell people that it’s just as busy (as the day shift), but it’s a quiet busy. There’s not family or X-ray or physical therapy coming to take the patient away from you. You have better access to your patients and can give them a little more time. Sometimes they just want to talk. It’s Please see NIGHT, Page 5
Waterloo Visiting Nursing Association 85+ Years Strong Thankful for the care and compassion given by our team of:
Registered Nurses
Certified Nursing Assistants
Who are always committed to providing professional healthcare services to individuals and families Thank you for your hard work and dedication to health care improvement in our community MATTHEW PUTNEY, C OURIER PHOTO EDITOR
Third-shift Covenant Medical COURTESY PHOTO Center nurse Leslie Farley works Nurse Dan Boese looks at a chart during his night shift at UnityPoint on medication charts on a recent Health-Allen Hospital. night.
Waterloo VNA 319.235.6201 2530 University Avenue Www.vnawaterloo.org
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Western Home’s Hilmer an Iowa Great Nurse One theme defines Briana Hilmer’s 25 years as a nurse in long-term care: She works tirelessly to make sure older adults receive the best possible care in the place they want to be. She delivered professional care and compassion as a floor nurse, unit manager, director of nursing and then director of assisted living. “I love being a nurse because I get to help people,” Hilmer said. “Advocating for patients, Hilmer putting the pieces together to figure out what is wrong and finding solutions, and explaining things to help alleviate fear of the unknown — that’s fulfilling to me.” Nearly five years ago, she accepted the position of senior director of atHome with Western Home, where she helps people get the services they need to stay in their homes as
they age. Hilmer quickly grew the agency to offer not only companion care, but also nursing and simple technologies that can keep people safe, making it the only in-home provider in the Cedar Valley to offer this broad array of services. “People should have choices on where they live and, because of atHome, one of those choices is home, wherever that is,” she explained. “I love helping teach new nurses, home health aides or care companions how to honor people’s lives by providing kind, compassionate care with a smile and a gentle touch and laughter whenever possible. This is sometimes even better than medicine.” The atHome team of about 150 nurses and caregivers serves 200 clients and delivers about 2,000 hours of service each week, and continues to expand. As the huge population of baby boomers ages, it’s even more critical to meet the needs of people
where they are. Hilmer’s nurse leadership is recognized at the state and national level where she continues to advocate for older adults. Her peers have chosen her to represent them as chair of Iowa Center for Assisted Living and as a board member for Iowa Health Care Association, two positions not often held by nurses. After a competitive review process, Hilmer was selected as one of just 38 professionals from across the country to participate in the “Future Leaders of Long-Term Care in America” program, a leadership development symposium hosted by the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living. Hilmer was honored recently in Des Moines as one of this year’s 100 Great Iowa Nurses. “As a nurse, I get to meet amazing people who inspire me to live my best life and appreciate the blessings we are given,” she said. “It’s a wonderful career.”
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Emily Gardner, LPN, helps atHome with Western Home client Tom Kastli. Gardner helps Kastli manage a chronic condition through home visits.
“I watch how my coworkers interact with our residents; they are here for all the right reasons. The love, care and pride is outstanding and it shows every day. We become family to the residents and their families. I can’t imagine working anywhere else!” -Jessica Nieman, Nurse Mentor
Thanks to ALL our nurses for the meaningful work they do each day. Want to join them? LPN and RN benefits include:
• Competitive pay • Health insurance • Student loan repayment • Matching 401(K) • Tuition reimbursement • Paid time off accrues • Continuing education immediately
Call human resources at (319) 277-2141
to ask about starting your career with an Employer of Choice and the Cedar Valley’s first place choice for Best of the Best in assisted living and nursing care.
www.WesternHomeCommunities.org
SALUTE TO NURSES
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Cedar Valley Hospice nurses stand out Compassion and respect are necessary traits for nurses. It takes an especially thoughtful and empathetic person to be a hospice and palliative care nurse. It’s not just about sitting with someone during their final days. It’s about providing the best possible care that will allow patients to live their life to the fullest. At Cedar Valley Hospice, our nurses will tell you hospice is not just a job but more a “calling.” “Our patients are not just a number,” said Clinical Services Manager Michelle Walden. “Our staff truly care for each and every one of our patients.” There is a strong bond between Cedar Valley Hospice nurses and their patients and families. This stems from the trust the nurse earns at the first visit. Over time, administering expert care, lending a listening ear, teaching
home care and providing comfort makes all the difference in establishing a meaningful connection. Marie Easter, wife of Jerry, who was on our program, said their Cedar Valley Hospice nurse was key in helping her husband live on the program for over a year. The support also allowed Jerry to remain positive so he could spend quality time with his family. “After a while, their staff became our close friends,” said Marie. “They educated us and made it so the process wasn’t overwhelming. I felt like it wasn’t a job for them — it was a personal relationship.” A hospice nurse’s job is not only caring for the patient, but also their families. “We provide education so families know what to expect,” said Cedar Valley Hospice Home
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Marlys Bolin shares a laugh with her nurse, Rebekah Fogt. Bolin said the two of them “clicked” immediately and that Cedar Valley Hospice was like “family” to her and her husband.
Nurse Marsy Becker. “I empower the family with knowledge to get through each day with the confidence to know they are doing all they can for their loved one. And if I can make them smile, it makes their day a bit brighter too.” Caring for families during their end-of-life experience can be challenging, but our nurses agree it doesn’t mean their work is sad or draining. “It is incredibly humbling and rewarding to be able to provide a sense of peace and comfort to our patients and their families during the most difficult time in their lives,” said nurse practitioner Erica Jensen. “I am privileged to be able to work alongside the dedicated and compassionate team we have at Cedar Valley Hospice.”
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Cedar Valley Hospice Nurse Marsy Becker enjoyed her connection with patient Martin Lundvall, a 1950s UNI wrestler whose mentor was Dan Gable. He often had interesting stories to share with his care team and lived over two years on the program.
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Waverly Health Center nurses calm in the storm One evening, Emilie Drenkow of Waverly found herself in a scary situation. “I went to the ER because I couldn’t stop getting sick after choking on a bite of roast beef. It felt like something was still lodged in my throat,” said Emilie. “When I arrived at the ER, I was met by Trisha, my ER nurse. She told me she’d take good care of me. She kept me calm and told me she had been a (gastrointestinal) nurse and had seen this happen many times before. She was instrumental COURTESY PHOTO in the diagnosis and getting me the correct treatment. She Emilie Drenkow and her family.
was direct with me, yet very reassuring. After it was decided that I needed surgery, the doctor was there within minutes. They quickly took me to the (operating room) and I was met by the surgical team. Even though it was the middle of the night, and they were called into work, they all smiled and told me what to expect. The last thing I remember in the operating room was a nurse holding my hand, which was so comforting. “Dr. Crawford was fabulous! She explained the procedure, kept me calm, and has followed
up with me since surgery. She continues to work hard to help find out the cause of my throat swelling. “I highly recommend WHC. They were top-notch at treating me and continue to care during recovery.”
Emilie’s husband, Dietrich, recently had a planned surgery at WHC and said they received the same high level care. “Thank you to all the staff and medical team who serve our community. The Drenkow family is very grateful!”
Night From 2
a little more one-on-one.” Nurse Dan Boese, who works three 7 p.m.-7 a.m. shifts one floor below Jorgenson, concurs. “On thirds, you are busy but you have more time to sit down and talk with patients, really get to know them,” he said. Hospice patients hold a special place in Jorgenson’s heart. “It is so important that you get to know them, that they get that dignity and pain relief. It’s so important that they get that dignity and pain relief. I think people tend to have a little more pain at night because there’s no distraction from families. They start feeling overwhelmed with the pain. My goal for them is pain-free sleep.” Boese had the opportunity to move to a day shift, but declined because of the close-knit staff on third shift. “On our floor, we take more acute patients — cardiac, kidney, respiratory — we have just about everything. I think we all realize that our patients are pretty sick; if one person needs help the rest of us will be there. There’s six people overnight. If a patient starts to decline, your co-workers on the floor are all you have. Everybody is always
NURSING
EXCELLENCE
MATTHEW PUTNEY, COURIER PHOTO EDITOR
Registered nurse Leslie Farley Dan Boese is a third-shift nurse at cares for patients in the overnight UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital hours at Covenant Medical Center. in Waterloo. trying to help.” Leslie Farley, a registered nurse at Covenant Medical Center, has worked the night shift for 14 years “and I don’t intend to change. I started doing it and I never looked back.” There’s something special about the overnight hours, she said. “For the most part, things are calmer,” she said. “Patients let their hair down; that’s the time they really need someone to talk to. You find time to spend with
them. Maybe they just need someone to give them a hug and just hear them out. They need a shoulder to cry on, and we can help them put things in perspective.” Extra time with patients doesn’t mean overnight nurses aren’t busy, though. “There’s always something going on,” Farley said. “The call lights for assistance are constantly going off. The hospital never sleeps. And that’s what we’re here for.”
Waverly Health Center appreciates our nursing team for providing high quality, patient-centered health care.
SALUTE TO NURSES
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Salute to NurSeS Employers celebrating and hiring great nurses in the Cedar Valley
Searching for RN Champions! Hines & Associates, Inc. is seeking FT compassionate Case Managers in our Independence & Cedar Falls Locations.
NO NIGHTS, HOLIDAYS OR WEEKENDS!
Must be an RN with 3 yrs exp
Superb benefit package!
R.N. Positions for Skilled Unit: Full time 1st Shift Monday – Friday Full-time 3rd Shift Monday – Friday
Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community 1922 5th Ave. N.W., Waverly, Iowa 50677 Phone: 319-352-4540 Visit our website to apply online at
Email your resume to: hr@hinesassoc.com or fax it to 847-741-1728 Or call 877-429-7345 X 3426 with questions
www.bartelscommunity.org “Enriching lives through quality services and Christian care”
EOE
SALUTE TO NURSES
SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018 |
Help Mom Remember the Good Times Give the gift of history this Mother’s Day. The Courier is excited to offer Mother’s Day savings on these heirloom-quality, hardcover coffee-table books. Get both volumes while supplies last for just $39.95 per book plus tax/shipping! Sale ends May 13, 2018!
Cedar Valley Memories Volume III: More Than 125 Years of History in Photographs
Mother’s Day is May 13!
Cedar Valley Memories Volume I: The Early Years
Save $5.00 on each book! $39.95 $44.95 per book plus tax/shipping Stop by and pick up a copy at
The Courier
100 E. Fourth St., Waterloo (Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Order online securely at
CedarValleyBooks.PictorialBook.com Flat-rate shipping available for online orders
presented by
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What to know about hospice care Hospice isn’t a place. It’s a type of care that focuses on living s fully as possible, up until the end of life. Hospice brings comfort, love and respect to the patients and families they care for. Considered to be the model for high-quality, compassionate care at the end of life, hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to care that includes expert medical care, pain-andsymptom management, and emotional and spiritual support. All care is expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. Hospice offers the services and support that Americans want when coping with a serious or life-limiting illness. The goal of this type of care is
to treat the person instead of the disease, and focus on the family caregivers, not just the individual. The quality of life is emphasized, not its duration. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reports: Hospice usage in the U.S. is growing. Every year, more than 1.65 million Americans with life-limiting illness are cared for by the nation’s 5,100 hospice providers. The median length of service for hospice patients is 19.1 days (half of patients receive care for more days, half of patients receive care for fewer days). Yet, more than 35 percent of patients die or are discharged in seven days or less – too short
a time to benefit from the full ranges of services a hospice can offer. Cancer accounts for less than 38 percent of hospice patients – which surprises many people who mistakenly think hospice only serves cancer patients. The five other leading diagnoses are heart disease, debility, dementia (this includes Alzheimer’s disease), lung disease and stroke. Hospice is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations. An estimated 450,000 trained volunteers contribute more than 21 million hours of service every year.
Research shows eight out of 10 Americans would want to stay in their homes surrounded by family and loved ones if they were faced with a life-limiting illness. Hospice makes this happen.
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A Care Initiatives staff member tends to a patient.
For more information, contact Care Initiatives Hospice at (877) 577-3999, or visit www.careinitiveshospice.org. You may also call the NHPCO HelpLine at (800) 658-8898, or visit www. caringinfo.org.
SALUTE TO NURSES
SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018 |
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Stay connected with everything that’s uniquely local.
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COURTESY PHOTO
At NewAldaya, quality of care remains constant The senior living paradigm is constantly in motion. While these changes are being made, one thing remains constant — the quality of care provided by the NewAldaya Lifescapes staff to our residents. From our nursing teams to facility services and dietary teams, each and every person plays a part in fulfilling our mission. Having quality nursing staff means giving quality care, and nothing less is expected when the time comes for our loved ones to make the shift into senior living care. At NewAldaya we strive to be the best there is by any and all definitions. As changes in the standard for care occur, our dedicated staff work to implement new and effective guidelines that ensure all our residents’
needs are met. Going above and beyond is not always an assumption you can make for all senior living facilities, but our staff ’s efforts set us apart from the rest. “We are fortunate to have the nurses we have who are committed to providing the most compassionate care,” said Nicole Lund, director of nursing at NewAldaya and member of our team since 2010. “These are the heroes at the front line providing the care needed and playing an incredible role with the outcomes and experiences every resident has, whether they are here for skilled level of care or long term care. Each and every day, I feel truly blessed and fortunate to have the nurses and caregivers we do here at NewAldaya. Their compassion and commitment to our mission is
shown in all they do — we could not deliver on that commitment without them.” Caring for the community’s seniors is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Being a nurse means making a difference in residents’ lives every day. It is a calling not meant for all. Working with residents and their family members to overcome challenges and ensure the highest quality of life is a gratifying experience, and knowing that a family has chosen NewAldaya’s team for this task is a source of pride that pushes our employees to be better. “I am so proud of all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do and your tireless efforts to provide such extraordinary care to our residents,” Lund said.
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WCFCOURIER.COM/ACTIVATE Care. Comfort. Compassion.
You Do More. They Live Better. 7511 University Ave. Cedar Falls, IA 319-268-0401 | www.NewAldaya.org
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SALUTE TO NURSES
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NEW NURSING PROGRAMS at Wheaton a WIN for hospitals, recruits
Health care organizations are finding they need to be highly competitive and creative in attracting and retaining nursing graduates, as it’s expected that more than 1 million registered nurses across the United States will reach retireRichards ment in the next 10 to 25 years. “That’s why we have to find programs that will help encourage nursing and support them, because we’re going to need nurses,” said Kelly Richards, chief nursing officer at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa. That’s why Richards helped create the new Wheaton Intern Nursing Program, or WIN, this past year. “The whole idea is to ease the transition into professional practice,” she said. “Right now you’ll find that a lot of new nurses leave the nursing profession within their first year. They don’t feel they have the support, and their transition from being a student doesn’t go very smoothly. Our Wheaton Intern Nursing program is a way to give them some extra time so they can build confidence and skills, so when they actually become licensed they feel a little more comfortable.” In the WIN model, student nurses in their last semester of an ADN or BSN program are paired with licensed nurses and work under their guidance and supervision. Eventually, the student nurse intern is allowed to perform some tasks on their
own. “We make sure they operate within the scope of licensure,” said Richards. “They do delegated tasks that are appropriate.” Unlike other nurse intern programs that are only available during summer months, the Wheaton Intern Nursing program continues throughout the course of the year. Wheaton also provides housing for student nurses from colleges outside the Cedar Valley. “We’re trying to eliminate the barrier from outlying nursing candidates so they can gain clinical exposure at larger facilities, like what we have at Covenant Medical Center and Sartori Memorial Hospital,” Richards said. Housing is provided at no cost, eliminating the burden of an extensive commute, pricey travel and housing expenses. Another perk of the program, a WIN student nurse with a positive evaluation will have preferred consideration for open nursing positions once they graduate and successfully complete their nursing boards. “It’s not just the name of the pro-
gram. It’s a WIN for the hospi- care,” said Richards, noting ca- “There are so many things in tals and a WIN for the nursing reer options in a medical field health care and many of the stuprovide many possibilities. dents have no idea.” students.” Beyond the new internship program, there are many other efforts to help recruitment and retention for health care positions. Recruitment starts early. Sartori Memorial Hospital has a tradition with Partner in Education Hansen Elementary in Cedar Falls spanning nearly 25 years. Around 70 sixth-graders learned about positions throughout the hospital during this year’s Career Day on April 12. “It is our hope that we have kindled the fire and some of these students will one day be part of the Sartori team,” said Sartori site administrator Mary You’re an educator Jo Kavalier. and advocate to Plans are in the works to host more regular tours to older stuour patients. dents and offer visits to high schools in the area. Richards recently provided a personal tour to a pair of sophomore students From new grads to experienced nurses, looking ahead to a medical cawe want to meet you. Join our team of reer. “I was pretty impressed that nurses who are dedicated to offering they are already looking at what outstanding care to our patients. We are college courses to take committed to providing health care guided to get into health by our Mission, Vision and Values.
You’re not just a nurse.
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare offers: l Comprehensive Orientation Program l Nurse Residency l Career Ladder l Student Loan Repayment Apply today at WheatonIowa.org/employment.
Covenant Clinic l Covenant Medical Center l Mercy Hospital l Sartori Memorial Hospital
EOE/Drug Screen Required.
SALUTE TO NURSES
Sunday, May 13, 2018 | 11
VNA has rich heritage, strong future The year was 1932. Amelia Earhart was the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic. Charles Lindbergh was devastated from dealing with a kidnapped son. A new car cost roughly $625. Al Capone’s Cadillac was confiscated and later used as Franklin Roosevelt’s limousine. In that year in our community, a group of pioneering women banded together to be on the front lines of the tuberculosis epidemic. That epidemic led to efforts in homes to improve nutrition and to improve the control and spread of germs. Thus, the Visiting Nursing Association was born. The Waterloo VNA has 85 years’ worth of nurses and health care professionals to be thankful for and to hold in high esteem for always ensuring one thing – that caring for people’s health care needs at home is at the heart and focus of our mission. Many dedicated, innovative nurses have come through the VNA doors in
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A VNA nurse gives a vaccination to a man in his home. the past several decades, each with a passion and drive for the needs of others. This passion has laid the foundation for our future. Today, the VNA continues to provide skilled nursing, home care aide and homemaking services based on physician and health care team direction. As a not-for-profit, independent organization, our focus is laser sharp to meet the health care needs of individuals and their families. Our services extend to
all of Black Hawk County, Bremer County and the western half of Buchanan County. The “heal at home” philosophy is one that is growing every day. The VNA is growing with that philosophy and ensuring that to meet the health care needs of the baby boomer generation and beyond we value the heritage that our trendsetting forebears have left as a legacy. Meeting the challenges head-on is the strength and momentum given to us by those who came before us and one that we are excited to nurture for those who come after us. Nursing is a calling. Nursing and caring for individuals and their families in their home setting is a respectful, dignified calling. Battling blizzards, ice storms, treacherous weather conditions and often times, safety conditions, are just some of the barriers thrown into the paths of field staff in the home health industry. Home care nurses and aides do just that every day to ensure
needs are met. They are all troopers driven by their passion to be a part of improving the health of their assigned clientele. The Waterloo VNA is thankful for all home care staff who give individuals in our community the
option to heal at home. The Cedar Valley is rich in having excellent health care options and the VNA is proud to be a part of that continuum. Hats off to the nurses and health care professionals of the VNA and in our community!
THANK YOU, NURSES! You Inspire, Innovate, and Influence
Are You Ready to Make a Difference? VISIT BCHEALTH.ORG/CAREERS TODAY TO JOIN OUR TEAM! BCHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
1600 First St. East Independence, IA 50644 (319) 332-0999
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A Vising Nurse Association nurse speaks with a mother and child.
BCHealth.org
12 | Sunday, May 13, 2018
SALUTE TO NURSES