NATIONAL NURSES WEEK. May 6-12, 2016

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK In recognition of the impact nursing has on patient outcomes and quality of care, the American Nurses Association has designated...
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NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

In recognition of the impact nursing has on patient outcomes and quality of care, the American Nurses Association has designated 2016 as Culture of Safety and the tagline is Safety 360 Taking Responsibility Together. Keeping with this focus, the theme for National Nurses Week 2016 (May 6-12) is “Culture of Safety – It Starts With You.”

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The 2016 National Nurses Week Theme

The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

May 6-12, 2016

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

National Nurses Week 2016 Fri., May 6th - Thurs., May 12th Supported by the American Nurses Association, National Nurses Week celebrates nurses and their role in society. The week also helps to raise awareness about nursing as a possible career choice and also to educate the public about the kind of work nurses are involved in. To coincide with Florence Nightingale’s birthday (12th of May), National Nurses Week begins on the 6th of May and finishes on the 12th of May each year. National Student Nurses Week also coincides with National Student Nurses Day which is on the 8th of May each year.

The week celebrates the legacy of Florence Nightingale, a nurse who became famous for treating wounded soldiers during the Crimean war, and for her work in establishing nursing as a profession in its own right. Florence was affectionately known as “The Lady With The Lamp”; she made a lot of her ward rounds at night while carrying a lamp. Florence Nightingale founded a nursing school in 1860, providing the first type of professional nursing establishment in the world. The American Nurses Association (ANA), sponsors of National Nurses Week, have promoted and supported the nursing profession since 1896.

The nursing workforce There will be far more registered nurse jobs available through 2022 than any other profession, at more than 100,000 per year. With more than 500,000 seasoned RNs anticipated to retire by 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need to produce 1.1 million new RNs for expansion and replacement of retirees, and avoid a nursing shortage.

TH A N K YOU TO OU R N U R SES FOR P R OV ID IN G GR EA T CA R E TO OU R R ESID EN TS

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Tha nk you for you r ha rd w ork & exceptiona l pa tient ca re.

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

Opportunities for RNs abound: • The Affordable Care Act is increasing access to health care services for more individuals. • Reform initiatives are increasing emphasis on primary care, prevention, wellness and chronic disease management. • Baby Boomers are swelling the Medicare rolls. • Community-based care is growing. • Specialties, such as geriatrics, informatics, and care coordinators, are blossoming. • In every state, growth is projected at 11 percent or more annually through 2022.

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

Nursing Facts

• Did you know that Linda Richards was the first nurse to earn a Nursing diploma in the United States? She earned it in 1873 and the proof of her graduation is now displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. • The top occupational health concern of nurses is back injury. • James Derham, a black slave, was “owned” by several doctors. One of his owners encouraged him to go into medicine. He bought his freedom using his nursing salary and he later became the first AfricanAmerican physician. • The first Nursing school was established in India in 250 BC. • Did you know that the only US First Lady who helped in Union hospitals during the Civil War was Mary Todd Lincoln? She was a volunteer nurse back.

• Japan’s exam for foreign nurses is so difficult that, according to the latest report, it has been passed only by 96 out of 741 test takers in the past five years. • The knights who were ordered by Pope Urban II to fight during the crusades became nurses to the ill and wounded. They decided to take this role for good and were called the Knight Hospitallers.

nurses, January 27 is now celebrated as the National School Nurse Day. • The famous poet and essayist Walt Whitman served as a volunteer nurse during

the Civil War in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His poem entitled “The Wound Dresser” got its theme from his nursing experience in the battlefield.

• The first hospital training ground for nurses was established in the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses in Kaiserwerth, Germany in 1846. • According to the World Health Organization, Nepal is one of the countries with the lowest nurse per capita. It only has 5 nurses per 100,000 people. • Lucretia Lester was a well-known nurse and midwife who attended to 1,300 deliveries, with only 2 ending up unsuccessful. • May 8 is celebrated as the National Student Nurses Day. • In order to give recognition to school

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

T hanks to our nurses who make a positive difference in lives every day... W hat would we do without you!

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• The nurse cap is patterned after a nun’s habit to keep the hair neatly in place. Although this clothing item has long been phased out as it is known to carry pathogens, some countries still use this as part of the female nurses’ outfit.

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

A True Hospital Hero Submitted by Fort Madison Community Hospital

Compassion is a human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another’s suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism.

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

- Wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion.

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Michelle Callahan-Moore, RN, named A 2015 Hospital Hero by the Iowa Hospital Association, is the embodiment of compassion. Her job is registered nurse on the Medical/Surgical Unit at FMCH, her vocation is healer, teacher, nurturer and friend. There are many patients that Michelle has gone above and beyond for in her sixteen year tenure at Fort Madison Community Hospital. Here are some of the most recent examples of her extraordinary compassion. We had a patient come by ambulance from Kahoka, Missouri to the ER.  He was a truck driver from Mississippi.  Michelle took care of him while he was a patient at FMCH. After he was discharged he had no way to get back down to his truck. The ER Staff tried multiple resources to get him back but nothing was working. Michelle, out of the kindness of her heart, and after her shift drove the man to his truck. He attempted to pay Michelle but she refused. This is going above and beyond the normal call of her position.  Michelle most recently drove an Amish family to the Emergency Room when their child needed an emergency appendectomy.  She stayed with them while the child was in the ER, surgery and until admission to the floor. Terry Cramblit, Director of Dietary, relates the time the wife of one of her friends was admitted. Her friend was very worried about his wife and requested to see Michelle. He remembered her from his own stay at FMCH. Michelle met his concerns with care and compassion. He was anxious about getting to his wife’s room if she needed him. Michelle assured him that she would personally get him where he needed to be. This was true genuine compassion to our customers.  And this is her through and through. And yet one more specific memory shared by Amanda Burgus, Director of the

ER, “When I was a nurse on Med/Surg, an Amish family had a loved one who was discharged from the hospital after suffering rib fractures and an arm fracture. This family did not have any way of getting home and were being discharged around 5:00 p.m. in the evening. Michelle happily offered to take them home at the end of her shift. She drove them back to their home out of the kindness of her heart.” These are just some of the examples of all the great things our Hospital Hero does every day.  She takes food to patients after they are discharged, runs errands for them, takes them places and basically continues care for them post discharge.  She purchases meals from the cafeteria for family members not wanting to leave their loved ones bedside and has the trays of food delivered to the rooms. In the words of her peers: “Michelle is a great leader. She is one who leads by example and Michelle’s actions consistently exemplify FMCH standards and philosophy. Michelle truly cares for her patients, coworkers and visitors to FMCH and her dedication shows every day with every interaction she has with others. She is a great role model for all of us at FMCH,” explained Pharmacist Roger Griswold. “Michelle Callahan-Moore has taught me how rewarding nursing can be. She is the most empathetic, caring and considerate nurse and person I have ever met. She will always go above and beyond for anyone who needs assistance. There have been many times patients leave belongings here at the hospital and Michelle will always drop them by either their home or the nursing home after she leaves work even if it is out of her way. She is a person to idolize and learning from her made me a better nurse. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor!” expressed Amanda Burgus. “Michelle is such an asset to us on the floor! As a supervisor, she goes above and beyond the call of duty. She is constantly going out of the way for each and every one of her patients and nurses. She is not only a supervisor, she is a teacher and supporter. Each of us nurses have leaned on her for her guidance and expertise at some point. She kindly points us in the right direction and continued on page 5

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

A Nursing Career: A Look at the Facts

And Michelle loves them. She wrote this in response to a question about her favorite part of working at FMCH after being recognized as Employee of the Month, “My favorite part of working here is the staff...where would I be without my co-workers!?! They are the main reason I come to work, really they are! I just love them! I see them grow each day as they interact with the patients or family members. I see their skills and caring entwine as they share themselves, in healing and touching the lives of those who need it most in time of need.” We are blessed to have our Hospital Hero, Michelle Callahan-Moore, as part of our team, giving true meaning to the word compassion.

Nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession with more than 3.1 million registered nurses practicing nationwide. Despite its large size, many more nurses are needed into the foreseeable future to meet the growing demand for nursing care. As you plan or consider a career as a registered nurse, you should know these facts: • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered nurses will grow faster than most other occupations through 2022. • Nursing students comprise more than half of all health professions students. • Nurses comprise the largest single component of hospital staff, are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the nation’s longterm care.

military, and industry. Other nurses work in careers as college and university educators preparing future nurses or as scientists developing advances in many areas of health care and health promotion. Though often working collaboratively, nurses do not simply assist physicians and other health care providers. Instead, they practice independently within their own defined scope of practice. Nursing roles range from direct patient care to case management, establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, and directing complex nursing care systems.

With more than four times as many RNs in the United States as physicians, nursing delivers an extended array of health care services, including primary and preventive care by advanced, independent nurse practitioners in such clinical areas as pediatrics, family health, women’s health, and gerontological care. Nursing’s scope also includes care by clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists, as well as care in cardiac, oncology, neonatal, neurological, and obstetric/gynecological nursing and other advanced clinical specialties.

Most health care services involve some form of care by nurses. Although 62.2 percent of all employed RNs work in hospitals, many are employed in a wide range of other settings, including private practices, public health agencies, primary care clinics, home health care, outpatient surgicenters, health maintenance organizations, nursing school-operated nursing centers, insurance and managed care companies, nursing homes, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

leads by example. It is not a surprise to us when a patient mentions her name or tells us a story of something that Michelle has done for them either while they were in the hospital or out in the community. And if you talk to any of the nurses that have ever worked with her, there is nothing but good things that would be reported back. We love Michelle,” contributed nursing staff spokesperson, Katie Rung.

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Hands of Nurses The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

at Great River Health Systems

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ACUTE CARE CENTER The young daughter of a patient in the Acute Care Center was staying in the room with her mother. A nurse took the little girl to lunch in the hospital Cafeteria and to the Great River Friends Trunk Show in the lobby. The patient had washed the girl’s clothes in the sink in her room, and they were still wet when it was time to change. A certified nursing assistant got pajamas in the Pediatrics Unit for the girl to wear until the clothes were dry. “Our staff went above and beyond their duties to help our patient and her daughter,” said Susan Fowler, director, Acute Care Center. “This is what Great River Health Systems’ EXCEL values are all about.” EXCEL stands for Enthusiastically friendly, X-ceeding expectations, Caring and compassion, Energetic teamwork, and Leadership and professionalism.

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Nursing care comforts patients

GREAT RIVER BUSINESS HEALTH A patient with a life-threatening illness was transported to the Emergency Department from a company served by Great River Business Health. The patient was transferred by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, accompanied by a co-worker because the patient doesn’t have relatives in the area. The co-worker didn’t have money or return transportation for the unplanned trip. Great River Business Health staff donated money. After work, a nurse from the clinic took it to Iowa City and stayed with the patient until the patient was settled in a room. GREAT RIVER CLINIC, MEDIAPOLIS An emotionally distraught patient walked into Great River Clinic, Mediapolis, a few minutes after nurse practitioner Lisa Decker had left. Clinic staff called Decker, and she returned to the office. She spent a significant amount of time with the patient until he was feeling better, saving him money, time and an emergency department visit. GREAT RIVER NEPHROLOGY On a Friday afternoon, Great River Nephrology received laboratory results for a patient whose first appointment in the

clinic was scheduled the following Monday. The clinic’s nurses recognized high creatinine and potassium levels, and they contacted the nephrologist. The patient’s condition was critical. Creatinine is a waste product of the body. As creatinine is produced, it is filtered through the kidneys and excreted in urine. A high creatinine level indicates poor kidney function. A high level of potassium, an essential mineral, also affects kidney function. Great River Clinic staff tried calling the patient and his wife several times before reaching the wife, who brought the man to the clinic. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and remained there for several days until he recovered. “Timely treatment probably saved the patient’s life,” said Reta Krieger, clinic manager. SURGICAL SERVICES PEDIATRICS UNIT “My brother recently was a patient in Day Surgery for a hernia repair. Although the surgery is considered simple, this procedure was not. My brother is a 6-year-old living in a 60-year-old man’s body. He is mentally disabled and autistic, and he suffers from many anxieties. “At my request, my brother was allowed to begin his experience in the Pediatrics Unit. Environment is very important, and the action in the Day Surgery patient area would have been too much for him. He immediately felt at ease when he was welcomed to the Pediatrics Unit. The nurse showed him respect and kindness while explaining information at a level he could understand. “The Surgical Services staff provided outstanding care to meet my brother’s specific needs, and they allowed me to be with him when he was waking up to reduce anxiety. The entire crew was great! “Back in the Pediatrics Unit after surgery, the nurses calmly worked with him. Addressing his pain was quite a challenge because he can’t comprehend pain scales. Their compassion was beyond my expectation. “My brother’s care was phenomenal. As a sister of someone who cannot advocate for himself, I felt that we both were valued. I am grateful for the extraordinary care he received.”

IDENTIFY PATIENTS CORRECTLY • Use two ways to identify patients – name and date of birth – before collecting specimens, giving medicine or blood, and beginning procedures. • Blood transfusions require a two-person check at the bedside before they begin. IDENTIFY PATIENT-SAFETY RISKS • Conduct suicide-risk assessments. • Provide at-risk patients with information about community resources when they are discharged. IMPROVE STAFF COMMUNICATION • To confirm verbal orders and critical test results, staff write the information received, read it back to the person giving the information and receive confirmation that it is correct. • Report critical test results to physicians and other health care providers immediately. PREVENT INFECTION • Follow hand-washing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Follow guidelines for interacting with patients in isolation. • Use proven guidelines for preventing infections that are difficult to treat, blood infections from central lines, infection after surgery and urinary-tract infections caused by catheters.

PREVENT MISTAKES IN SURGERY • Ensure the correct surgery is done on the correct patient at the correct place on the patient’s body. • Mark the correct place on the patient’s body where the surgery is to be done. • Pause before surgery begins to ensure a mistake is not being made. USE ALARMS SAFELY Make improvements to ensure alarms on medical equipment are heard and responded to on time. Examples include alarms on oxygen and cardiac monitors, IV infusion pumps and ventilators. USE MEDICINES SAFELY • Learn what medicines the patient is taking. Compare those medicines to new medicines given to the patient. Ensure the patient knows which medicines to take after going home. • Take extra care with patients who take blood-thinning medicines. • Tell patients it is important to bring an up-to-date list of medicines every time they visit a physician or other health care provider. • Watch for drugs that look similar or have similar-sounding names. • When drawing or pouring medicine that won’t be used immediately, label it with the name of the medicine, strength, date and time of expiration, and staff member’s initials.

Nursing jobs are in demand Employment of nurses, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics. Nurse education programs offer diplomas, and associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Classes include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition and psychology. Students also complete supervised clinical experience. Nurses must pass a licensure examination. Nurses may specialize in different areas, such as cardiovascular care, diabetes, intensive care, orthopedics, pediatrics and oncology (cancer). At Great River Health Systems, a growing number of nurses work in the Information Systems and Nursing Informatics departments to help manage the use of electronic medical records. Great River Health Systems has more than 30 advanced-practice registered nurses and certified registered nurse anesthetists with master’s or doctorate-level degrees who provide diagnosis and treatment. They work in clinics, the Emergency Department and Surgical Services.

• Provide health education and counseling • Provide wound care and other care

REGISTERED NURSE (RN) Growth rate: 16 percent

CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST (CRNA) Growth rate: 31 percent

What they do: • Coordinate patient care with other health care professionals • Direct and supervise care delivered by other health care personnel such as licensed practical nurses and certified nurse aides • Give medicines • Interpret patient information and make critical decisions about needed actions • Perform physical examinations

Education: Diploma, or associate’s or bachelor’s degree ADVANCED REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONER (ARNP) AND DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DPN) Growth rate: 31 percent What they do: • Conduct physical examinations • Diagnose illnesses • Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes, but not in place of physicians • Order and interpret diagnostic tests • Perform some procedures • Prescribe medicine • Provide patient education and counseling • Refer patients to physicians when required • Treat minor illnesses and injuries Education: A minimum of a master’s degree

What they do: • Perform physical assessments • Participate in preoperative teaching • Administer anesthesia • Oversee recovery from anesthesia • Follow patients from the Postanesthesia Care Unit to Day Surgery or inpatient units Education: A minimum of a master’s degree

The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

Great River Health Systems follows National Patient Safety Goals established by The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs. The goals focus on problems in health care safety and how to solve them. The safety goals program was established in 2002, and goals are reviewed and updated yearly. A panel of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, risk managers, clinical engineers and other professionals works with The Joint Commission staff to identify emerging patient safety issues and advises how to address them. The 2016 National Patient Safety Goals and some of the procedures Great River Health Systems clinical staff follows are:

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Nurses focus on safety

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

Facts About Male Nurses Although Nursing has long been considered as a female-dominated profession, male nurses are now proving that they can do the job just as well. Their strength as well as skills are valuable in achieving excellent patient care. And just like their female counterparts, male nurses also have the compassionate heart to provide that tender loving care to their patients. So how well do you know these unsung heroes of the Nursing world? The first male nurse in America Third-century Italians are considered to be the first male nurses in history. Fray Juan de Mena, on the other hand, was a Mexican nurse who came to the U.S. many years before the Pilgrims’ landing at the Plymouth Rock. Hence, he is considered by many as the first male nurse to ever set foot to what would become the U.S.

Male nurses experience discrimination About 70% of the male nurse population consider stereotypes as their biggest challenge as nurses. Although they can be as caring and reliable as their female counterparts, male nurses still struggle to break some unfair misconceptions. Walt Whitman, an American nurse and poet Born on May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman was an acclaimed American poet and journalist. He wrote the “Leaves of Grass,” a poetry collection first published 1892. He was also known for volunteering as a male nurse during the Civil War. Fictional male nurse Gaylord Focker, a male nurse portrayed by Ben Stiller in the movie

Most male nurses don’t prefer diplomas About 53% of male nurses prefer to take associate degrees in Nursing while 13.9% of them take the diplomas. For female nurses, it’s the exact opposite. More women (26.3%) take the diplomas compared to guys while fewer (42.2%) female nurses prefer to take associate degrees compared to male nurses. Men in Nursing schools Male nurses make up over 13% of the total Nursing school population in the United States. It might not be significant if compared to female Nursing students but the number is continuously growing–a proof that men aren’t afraid to enter the profession anymore. The patron saint of Nursing is a male. He is St. Camillus de Lellios who was canonized as a saint in 1746. He was known for founding the Camillan Order of Healthcare Workers and was declared patron saint of nurses and nursing groups by Pope Pius XI.

W e cherish o u r ha rd w o rking,co m pa ssio na te & dedica ted nu rses.They go a bo ve a nd beyo nd m a king yo u a nd yo u r fa m ily o u r fa m ily.

from the resid en ts & staff of O ak W ood E states

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T ha nk Y o u fo r a ll yo u do !

O n beha lf of a ll of us a t H ope H a ven, w e a re s o gra teful for our nurs es ,a s w ell a s a ll of the nurs es a t G rea t R iver M edica l C enter.

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“Meet The Parents,” is one of the most iconic male nurses in movie history.

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T han k you to ou r n u rses for all you r hard w ork !

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

Male nurses in U.S. military Male nurses make up one-third of the U.S. military nurses.

Male nurses as nurse anesthetists Although male nurses only make up 7% of the total Nursing population, an estimated 41% of them work as certified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), one of the highest-paid specialists in the Nursing profession.

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National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

Different Types of Nurses and What They Do

Agency Nurses, as opposed to traditional nurses, work on an availability basis, announcing the hours in which they will be able to work and signing up for shifts that fit within those ranges. Since they work for an agency, rather than a specific hospital, their jobs often shift from place to place.

Nurse Anesthetists Nurse Anesthetists assist doctors in a wide variety of settings, including the hospital room, surgery room, and dentist’s office. They provide the anesthesia to relieve or prevent the patient from feeling pain from the impending procedure.

 Cardiac Care Nurse Cardiac Care Nurses work with many staff members, including various types of doctors, to monitor and regulate functions of the heart in patients. Cardiac patients often come in for one of quite a few different issues, ranging from less severe chest pain to the extremely severe heart attack.

Critical Care Nurse Critical Care Nurses care for patients who are knocking on death’s door. These patients need immediate care and, if it is not provided, could result in fatal consequences.

Emergency Nurse Emergency Nurses work in the Emergency Room and treat patients who may arrive at the hospital in critical condition. The environment can be quite a bit hectic.

Gastroenterology Nurse Gastroenterology Nurses treat patients with potentially detrimental gastrointestinal issues who require assistance in eliminating these problems. They work in a range of medical settings, including physician offices, inpatient and outpatient departments, and inpatient hospital units.

Geriatric Nurse Geriatric Nurses take care of the elderly in

Nurse Informatics Nurse Informatics is a field of nursing that heavily involves the use of computers. Nurses in this area create and enhance electronic medical programs to assist doctors and other nurses better treat and care for their patients.

Legal Nursing Legal Nursing is a field of nursing that requires individuals to work with attorneys to assess the medical condition of the person on trial in order to determine whether or not that individual can claim medical negligence.

Midwife Midwives are nurses who specify in the area of childbirth, assisting in the delivery process by calming the mother down and physically delivering the infant. They often come to the mother’s home when the labor begins and provide the best ways to deliver that involve the least amount of discomfort.

Military Nurse Military Nurses work with patients who have been injured on the battlefield, sometimes providing emergency services for those in critical condition and other times simply treating a bullet wound that’s not life threatening. They also work on base camps to treat more mild conditions.

Neonatal Nurse Neonatal Nurses care for newborn infants immediately after birth, checking to see that the infant is breathing correctly, as well as a range of other physiological health checks. They typically take care of infants from the time they are born until they leave the hospital.

Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioners include individuals who have obtained a Master’s degree in nursing and are qualified to prescribe medication and make diagnoses without the assistance of a doctor. This is just a small sample of the many different types of nurses.

The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

Agency Nurse

nursing homes, hospitals, or at the patient’s home. Patients rely on the nurses to help them meet all of their basic needs.

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Contrary to popular belief, nurses work in a wide variety of medical settings, treating a range of different ailments. Some specialize in certain bodily areas, while others provide a more general method of treatment. This list describes several different types of nurses and what each specific type is responsible for.

National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

A shining light during a time of need Submitted by Henry County Health Center

my checks and screenings. I knew what it meant when I got the call from Dr. Tansey’s office saying to bring someone with me to my follow-up appointment,” said Griffis. Griffis underwent a mastectomy performed by Dr. Tansey, followed by chemotherapy. This was all done at HCHC by people she knew and trusted. “I went to school with Deb Helmerson, one of the Infusion/Chemotherapy nurses. She asked if I was okay with her caring for me. I said I’d have it no other way. I prefer to be treated by someone I know who cares about my well-being. Deb was very professional and assured me that everything was confidential,” explained Griffis.

In addition to having surgery and chemotherapy at HCHC, Griffis has also experienced Lab, Inpatient Services, and the visiting University of Iowa oncologists in HCHC’s Specialty Clinic. She has been to Radiology for ultrasound, mammography, CT scans, bone scans, and MRIs where staff “knew her by name, and were very loving and concerned.” She has received therapy in Rehabilitation Services. In May 2013 Griffis found that the cancer had gone into her bones. She was in Infusion Therapy every other week and was a patient twice in Inpatient Services. She was informed by the oncologist that she would be on some type of treatment for the rest of her life.

When talking about her multitude of experiences with the different HCHC departments, the common thread was the care, compassion and individualized treatment that Griffis received from all the staff. “This is a small community and you’re bound to run into someone you know. It is a comfort knowing the people who care for me. At larger hospitals I’ve felt like just a number, not a person. But there’s a certain family love at HCHC. You get to know people and develop friendships,” she explained. Griffis has always been confident in the healthcare she has received at HCHC. continued on page 11

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The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

SuzAnne Griffis of Mount Pleasant is no stranger to Henry County Health Center. She has interacted with so many departments that when she speaks of HCHC it is with fondness and gratitude. Griffis’ journey with HCHC began in October of 2010 when she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Her family physician Kent Metcalf, D.O., referred her to HCHC General Surgeon Michelle Tansey, M.D. Griffis had complete confidence in Dr. Tansey and her qualifications and experience in treating breast cancer. “My mother had breast cancer and later died of pancreatic cancer, so I’ve always had

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National Nurses Week 2016 • May 6 to 12

• Registered nurses. Nurses in this group usually have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, plus many hours of clinical experience. They may practice nursing or perform any number of jobs from educators, managers and executives to therapists, mentors and researchers in a variety of settings. • Advanced practice nurses. Nurses in this group have a master’s degree or higher in nursing and may have additional certificates. They may practice as certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or certified registered nurse anesthetists. • Doctorally prepared nurses. Nurses in this group have

Although they are not technically considered nurses, there are other groups in health care that work alongside nurses and could be considered part of nursing. These include: • Nursing assistants. Individuals in this group may be certified and assist nurses in many ways from taking vital signs to providing hygienic care. Many work in hospitals and long-term care facilities. • Orderlies. Individuals in this group often help nurses transfer patients and assist them with other duties. • Technicians. Individuals in this group often perform duties typically associated with nursing, such as passing out medication or drawing blood. They may work as certified medication aides, phlebotomy technicians, surgical technologists and machine operators. Individuals who work in the field of nursing play many different roles. Whether a technician or a registered nurse, all are important and make vital contributions to health care and to the care of patients in general. They are heroes to many.

W e are than k fu l for all of the n u rses ou t there w hose com passion an d d evotion help u s get better. You pu t the “care” in caregiver!

A big TH AN K YO U to W ellness C oordinator M andiG arcia RN BSN and also LPN s Shandra M cW hortor and D aniM iller. Y ou ’re sim ply the b est.

of Bea verda le

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B ECK M AN TV & AP P L IAN CE 752-4448

O PEN M on.-Fri.7 a.m .-5 p.m .;Sat.8 a.m .-4 p.m . C losed Sundays for Fam ily D ay

1/2 m ile N orth on Beaverdale Rd. offnew H w y.34 Exit258 11194 Tw in Ponds D rive W estBurlington,Iow a

The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

Types of nurses in the United States include: • Licensed practical nurses. Nurses in this group typically have two years of training in nursing and have passed state and national boards. Many work under the supervision of physicians in offices, clinics and hospitals, while others work under the supervision of registered nurses in long-term care facilities.

a Ph.D. or another doctoral degree specializing in research and clinical nursing. Some practice nursing, while others teach and do research in the field of nursing.

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They check your blood pressure. They measure your height and weight. They listen to your heartbeat. They perform routine exams and sometimes even prescribe medication. They are nurses and they are responsible for many tasks in health care. Fortunately, there are hundreds of nurses of different types.

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“I felt very comfortable and was very accepting of Dr. Tansey’s knowledge and abilities in treating my breast cancer. Knowing I had a family history of breast cancer and that I have a daughter, she ordered a genetic test which thankfully came back negative,” said Griffis. “Dr. Tansey is also very personable. Whenever I see her out in the community or at events like Relay for Life, she always speaks to me.” And the kindness doesn’t stop there. Griffis speaks highly of the Infusion/ Chemotherapy nurses. In addition to providing education and emotional support, these nurses have even gone to Griffis’ oncology appointments to answer her questions about the visit. Griffis also appreciated the partnership between HCHC and University of Iowa Oncology, and knowing that HCHC nurses had direct communication with her oncologist. Griffis has appreciated her care so much that she volunteers at the Information Desk and Gift Shop and helped initiate a Cancer Support Group led by the Infusion/Chemotherapy nurses. “It is reassuring to have this quality healthcare close to home and to know that if something happens I’ll be cared for. The fact that I don’t have to drive out of town for my healthcare is a blessing,” she commented. “I definitely recommend HCHC to others.”

Nurse, Oh Nurse!

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12 The Hawk Eye • Wednesday • May 4, 2016

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