INQ 11.14.11

CAREERS & TRAINING:

Dealing with grief at work

NURSES TAKE WING TO SAVE LIVES

YOUR WORLD Q&A:

Danny Ball

FLIGHT NIGHT

FA L L 2 011

Q U A R T E R LY

I N D I A N A

indystar .com/nurs ing

Inside

I N D I A N A

QUA R T E R LY

4 On the Pulse Guestcolumnist:Ruby

McBride,RN,MSN,CS,AdministrativeResourcetoPracticeAlliance,MarionGeneralHospital

6 Clips & Tips

Cover Story 10 Angelsofmercy:Flightnurses

takewing

Careers & Training 15 Dealingwithgrief

17 Onlinenursing

Your World 22 CourageattheIndianaStateFair 23 Q&AwithDannyBall

Cover:BarbaraCoffel,RN,MSN,CNS,isapediatricflightnursewithIndianaUniversityHealthLifeLine.

Photo:MarcLebryk

Online nowNominatesomeoneforSalutetoNurses.Findanewjobinnursing.Subscribeforfreeemailalerts.Doitallatindystar.com/nursing.

AdvertisingOutsidesalesand CarrieBernhardteventssupervisor (317)444-7288 [email protected]

Insidesalesand MorrisBradleyeventsexecutive (317)444-7437 [email protected]

Healthcarespecialist SarahHarmon(317)[email protected]

Educationspecialist MandiKeeney(317)444-7267

[email protected]

2 Indiana Nursing Quarterly • indystar.com/nursing • Fall 2011

Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana is bringing Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) to Indiana and seeking baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses.

• NFP helps change the lives of low-income women who are pregnant with their first child.

• Home visits from caring, registered nurses result in healthier pregnancies, better parenting, and babies getting the best possible start in life.

More on this evidence-based model: www.nursefamilypartnership.orgApply today: www.goodwillindy.org/gwjobs or [email protected]

It’s about relationships …

Providing the best level of comprehensive quality care to our communities takes teamwork.

www.ahni.com

IS-5875177

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Indiana Nursing Quarterly • indystar.com/nursing • Fall 2011 3

growthw w w . A m e r i c a n S r C o m m u n i t i e s . c o m

w e ’ r e s p r o u t i n g u p e v e r y w h e r e

You don’t become the fastest growing senior care provider and the 8th largest employer in the state without having the most talented andskilled professionals on your team.With over 51 locations and more to come in 2011, we’re in your neighborhood offering you the chance towork with the team that’s growing while everyone else is standing still. If you’re looking for growth in your career, it’s all happening right here.

Nurses - All Shifts. Opportunities exist throughout Indiana.We offer competitive compensation and affordable benefits, including:

For more information regarding our current opportunities, please visit our website at:www.AmericanSrCommunities.comOr send your resume to: American Senior Communities, 6900 South Gray Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46237;

Call: 317.787.6454 x313; Email: [email protected] EOE

• Health, Dental, Vision, andLife Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program• 401(k)

• Tuition Assistance• Paid Time Off

• Six Paid Holidays• Short-term Disability

David WilsonAssociates

(781) 449-0046 • www.dwaonline.com

Client: American Senior C

Job Number: 375289

Publications:

Name: Indianpolis Star

Dates: 11/1/11

Section: Nursing Quarterly

Approx. Cost: $3995

IS-5875276

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Content

Editor AngelaParker(317)[email protected]

Contributing editor MandaNewlin

Contributing writers BrookeBaker,ShariHeld,AshleyPetry,HollyWheeler

Graphic designer JoeSoria

Photos MarcLebryk

Indiana Nursing QuarterlyisaproductofStarMedia,307N.PennsylvaniaSt.,Indianapolis,Ind.It’sdistributedelectronicallytoregisterednursesthroughoutcentralIndiana.

[email protected].

Besureyou’reintheknow.SignuptoreceivefreeemailalertswhentheeachquarterlyissueofINQpublishes:indystar.com/nursing.

Get your INQ updates!

[email protected] news to

■ RecognitionTwoSt.FrancisHealthnurseswererecognizedforextraordinarycaretopatientsandfamilies.

Becky TeisingandMickey Sullivanarerecipientsofthehospital’sDAISYAwards.TheawardsarepartofTheDAISYFoundation,anationwideprogramrecognizingnurses.

TheDAISYAwardforExtraordinaryNursesisanationalprogramthathonorsthe

compassionatecareandclinicalexcellencethatourFranciscanSt.Francisnursesbringtotheirpatientseveryday.

TheDAISYAwardwasestablishedbytheDAISYFoundationinmemoryofJ.PatrickBarneswhodiedat

33anauto-immunedisease.Hisfamilywassoimpressedbytheclinicalskills,caringandcompassionofthenurseswhocaredforhimthattheycreatedthisnationalawardtosay

On the Pulse Promotions, workshops, awards

“thankyou”tonurseseverywhere.Formoreinformation,gotowww.daisyfoundation.org.

■ NoteworthySt.VincentHealthofficialsannounced

thedevelopmentoftheWellCareInstituteatSt.Vincenttomeettheneedsofindividualsandcorporateclients.

Michael Busk,MD,willserveassystemexecutiveoftheWellCareInstituteatSt.Vincent.

TheWellCareInstituteatSt.Vincentwillfocusonoptimizingpatients’overallhealthbyassessingtheir

currenthealthrisks,andprovidingdiseaseprevention,educationanddetection.

Thewellnessinstitutewillstrategicallyalignwiththefaith-basedhealthsystem’sbusinessdevelopmenteffortstodeliveremployer-basedhealthofferingsincluding,on-siteclinics,criticalcasemanagementandspecializedhealthbenefitsplans.Thesepartnershipsareintendedtoaidbothlargeandsmallemployersincontrollinghealthcarecostsandkeepingemployeeshealthy.

Sullivan

Teising

Busk

Cindy Adams, Chief Nursing Officer, Community Health Network

When opportunity knocks, We’re first to open the door.

Make plans to be part of our advanced-practice nursing seminar in mid-January. Learn more at eCommunity.com/nursing.

Nurses are right there on the front lines of care and

at Community, they also happen to be right there on

the front lines of change. The Institute of Medicine

recommends advanced education for nurses and

suggests they should be in full partnership with

physicians and other professionals in redesigning

health care. At Community, we couldn’t agree more

and are opening doors to help our nurses advance in

this direction. By providing more educational oppor-

tunities and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships,

we strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional care.

And that’s a pretty strong argument for change.

177-3332 Cindy Adams ad2 10-14.indd 1 10/14/11 10:08 AM

http://www.ecommunity.com/nursing

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[email protected] news to

On the PulsePromotions, workshops, awards

OphthalmologyCoordinatorJanae Kegeris,BSN,RN,CNOR,recentlywasnamedtheIndianaAcademyofOphthalmologyAdvocateoftheYear.KegerisworksintheRileyOutpatientCenterSurgeryCenteratRileyHospitalforChildrenatIUHealth.

IUHealthMethodistHospitalClinicalNurseSpecialistMichelle Deckard,MSN,CCRN-CMC,hasbeenchosentoreceivetheArcticCircleExcellenceAwardfromMedivance.Deckardwillreceiveaneducationalgrantrecognizingherworkontemperaturemanagement(hypothermiapost-arrest),includingstaff/peereducation.

Byron Atkinson,MHA,RN,hasbeennamedinterimexecutivedirectorofthroughputservices-caremanagementforIUHealthMethodist,UniversityandSaxonyHospitals,RileyHospitalforChildrenatIUHealthandCareAlliance.AtkinsonpreviouslyservedininterimnursingleadershiprolesatIUHealthMethodistHospital,assistingChiefNursingOfficerLindaChasewithcriticalcareservices,nursingqualityandprofessionalpractice,andoperations.Inhisnewrole,Atkinsonwillberesponsiblefor

assessingandanalyzingthecurrentstateofcaremanagementandformakingstructureandprocessrecommendationstoenhancecaremanagementimplementation.

Vince Holly,aclinicalnursespecialistatIUHealthBloomingtonHospital,hasbeenselectedtoreceivea2012AmericanAssociationofCriticalCareNursesCircleofExcellenceAward.Thisnationalawardcarries

alifetimeofrecognitionintheAACNCircleofExcellence. Hollywasnominatedfortheawardbasedonhisextensiveclinicalnursespecialistworkbothfromcriticalcareandsystem-wideperspectives. Heleadsinitiativesthathavedirectimpactonimprovingpatientcareandpatientoutcomes.HewillberecognizedattheAACNNationalTeachingInstitutenextMay.

TheSt.VincentProfessionalNurseRecognitionAwardwaspresentedtoMegan Brown,RN,Janmarie Draga,BSN,ONC,RN,Mary Fischer,CNS,CCRN,PCCN,RN,Amy Gainer,NP,Julia Reiberg,BSN,CPON,CPN,

RN,andJudy Ward, RN,fordemonstratingthehigheststandardsofnursingpractice.ThepurposeofthePNRAistoadvancetheinterestinpromotingprofessionalnursingandexcellenceintheprofessionalnursingpractice,andaimstodemonstratethehighvalueplacedontheattributesofclinicalcompetence,roledevelopment,clinicalleadershipandteambuilding.ThenursesawardedwiththePNRAexhibitastrongcommitmenttohercommunity,inadditiontoherplaceofwork.Eachrecipientoffersherexpertiseandtimetonumerouscommunity,healthandteachinggroupstoimprovehercommunity.

Charles RandolphJr.,R.N.,hasbeenappointeddirectorofclinicalinformaticsforFranciscanSt.FrancisHealth.Randolphmostrecentlyservedasprojectmanagerforthedevelopmentand

implementationoftheEpicelectronichealthrecordsatFranciscanSt.Francis’threehospitalsandaffiliatedmedicalofficesthroughoutcentralIndiana.

Holly

RandolphJr.

harrison.edu

GET YOUR NURSING TRAINING AT ACOLLEGE THATFOCUSES ON CARING.

For required program disclosure information,please go to harrison.edu/disclosure

Are you currently considering an Associate RN program? Or maybe you’re looking toward a BSN? Either way, Harrison College is the perfect place to take your nursing career to new heights. Our caring faculty and sta impart real world skills while a ording you hands-on experience. And our low instructor-to-student ratio means you’ll never get lost in the crowd.

Visit Harrison.edu for more information. Or better yet, call 1-800-401-1497 and talk to a program specialist.

http://www.harrison.edu

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Clips & Tips


Indiana Center for Nursing brings leaders together to work as oneForecastsaboutthefutureofnursingin

Indianapredictalargeshortage,andnursingleadersaredoingtheirbesttoprepareforit.

Threeorganizations—Nursing2000,Nursing2000NorthandtheIndianaNursingWorkforceDevelopmentCoalition—havejoinedforcestocreatetheIndianaCenterforNursing.Thenewnonprofitgroupbringstogethernursingleadersfromhospitalsandeducationalinstitutionstopromotebestpractices.

ICN’sexecutivedirector,KimberlyHarper,MS,RN,saidthecenterexiststostrengthenthestate’snursingprofession.Membersinclude

hospitals,long-termcarefacilitiesandnursingschools.Thecenter’sboardismadeofchiefnursingofficersandnursingschooldeans.

“Thisisagroupofnursesandnursingexecutives

whosemissionistoserveasthevoiceofnursesinIndiana,”Harpersaid.“Themaingoalsoftheorganizationaretwofold.Oneistoensure

anadequate,well-trainedsupplyofnursestoservethecitiesofIndiana.ThesecondistopromoteIndianaasamagnetstatefornursingpractice.”

Preparing for the futureThethreeorganizationsthatcreatedICN

hadsimilarmissions,andHarpersaiditbecamecleartheycouldaccomplishmorebycombiningtheirefforts.While35stateshavecentersfornursing,Indianawasn’tamongthem,shesaid.

“AvarietyoforganizationswithinIndianaweredoingsomeofthefunctionsthatcentersfornursingdoinotherstates,butnoonewasdoingallofthem,”Harpersaid.

Thethreefoundingorganizations’boardmembersdecidedtojoinforcesandcreateICN.Previously,differentregionsfellunderdifferentorganizations.Now,INCcoverstheentirestate.

Thecentertracksnursingtrendsbyanalyzingworkforcedata.Itusesthisinformationtoforecastwhentherewillbeaneedformore

Harper

nurses.Thishelpsmemberorganizations—educationalinstitutionsthattrainnursesandthefacilitiesthathirethem—toprepareforthefuture.

“There’saconcernthatwecouldbelookingataveryseriousnursingshortageinthenearfuture,”Harpersaid.“Itwillbecomingatatimewhenweactuallyneedmorenursesbecauseofhealthcarereform.Wewanttobeprepared.”

Toencouragemoreinterestinregisterednursingcareers,INCprovidesscholarshipsforIndiananursingstudents.ItalsomaintainsadatabaseofinformationaboutIndiana’sschoolssostudentscancompareaccreditedprograms.Thatinformation,withthework-forcetrenddataisaccessibleatwww.ic4n.org.HarpersaidICNalsoisstrivingtocreatethebestworkingenvironmentforIndiana’snurses.TheorganizationalsobelongstotheIndianaActionCoalition’stransforminghealthcarecommitte,whichimplementsrecommendationsoftheNationalInstituteofMedicineReportontheFutureofNursing.

— By Brooke Baker

Research, trends, tips

http://www.wishard.edu/jobs

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Has a nurse made a difference in your life?

Go to Nursing.Indy.com and click on “nominate.” All Nurse of the Year entries are submitted via the Web site. Nominations must be received by Feb. 5, 2012. Please direct questions to 317-444-7350.

Nominate a nurse for Nurse of the Year today!

http://www.nursing.indy.com

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F l i g h t n u r s e s

Guest columnist Ruby McBride, RN, MSN, CS, Administrative Resource to Practice Alliance, Marion General HospitalOn the Pulse

During the past several years, there has been a paradigm shift in how nursing policies and procedures are developed.

In the past, we usually followed policies that had been in place for a period of time with an attitude of “We have always done it this way.” That practice no

longer is applicable or acceptable in today’s changing patient health care system.

Instead, we must adhere to an enormous number of external government regulations, accreditation by

governing surveyors, legality issues and other health care stipulations. Internally, the professional nurse is responsible for providing the health care consumer with the best possible care based on “best evidence research” and sound clinical expertise.

While preparing to become certified as a magnet hospital, Marion General Hospital developed an Artistry of Alliances Shared

Governance Model. This model provides a methodology that, with the support of nursing management, results in a different nursing culture. This paradigm shift has resulted in a higher level of quality nursing practice, increased nurse retention and improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Following this model, Marion General Hospital initiates nursing policies and procedures at the Unit Practice Council level. Bedside nurses are on the frontline of issues they face every day and play a major role in finding solutions to those problems. They know what works and what doesn’t work. When nurses recognize that their input is essential and they have the support of managers, they become more involved and take responsibility for their own practices. The Unit Practice Council forwards their recommendations to the Practice Alliance.

Practice Alliance is a multi-disciplinary group that offers expertise and recommendations based on the complexity of the clinical process. Policies are written with specific instructions, best practice guidelines and language that is

Paradigm shift in standardizing nursing policies

McBride

clear and concise. Communicating policies and procedures

to nurses is essential and was addressed by the Marion General Hospital Practice Alliance committee. The committee developed an algorithm for improving the communication of policies. These practices were initiated:

■Practiceallianceminutesaredistributedtocommitteemembers.

■Acommunicationworksheetwithasynopsisofapprovedpoliciesisdistributedtothenursingpersonnel.

■Policiesarepostedonthehospitalwebpage.

Regardless of which system hospitals have in place, it is imperative to include bedside practicing nurses in the process of developing nursing policies. The policy process in place now at Marion General Hospital is far superior to the one in place prior to implementing the aforementioned changes. It is hoped that, with continued growth and knowledge, it will continue to develop a higher level of practice. ●

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AND WERE SO GLAD THEY DID.Why do nurses love Witham? Because great things happen in smaller hospitals. Our nurses feel a truer kinship, a deeper bond — both with each other and with their patients. And that helps them do something remarkable — it helps them become the kind of nurses they always wanted to be. And to think it all starts with one simple decision. THEY CHOOSE WITHAM.

Our nurses could work anywhere.They chose Witham.

AND WE’RE SO GLAD THEY DID.

Why do nurses love Witham? Because great things

happen in smaller hospitals. Our nurses feel a truer kinship,

a deeper bond — both with each other and with their

patients. And that helps them do something remarkable

— it helps them become the kind of nurses they always

wanted to be. And to think it all starts with one simple

decision. THEY CHOOSE WITHAM.To learn about current job openings

visit www.witham.org.



















http://www.witham.org

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F l i g h t n u r s e s

On the PulsePromotions, workshops, awards

Hospitals and care centers are places of healing, but they’re also places of high emotion.

Many facilities have workplace-violence plans in place for times when patients, family members, visitors or even co-workers lose control.

Indiana University Health and St. Vincent Health both include workplace-violence training in the core competencies employees must review yearly. Web-based trainings teach employees how to identify potentially violent situations and then provide scenarios to help them practice the skills.

“We give them tips and ideas and strategies for how to diffuse the situation, how to calm whoever is being aggressive, and get the situation under control,” said Linda Q. Everett,

PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive for IU Health.

Additional support | At the beginning of 2011, IU Health formed an aggression prevention team comprised of social workers, chaplains, safety and security officers, behavioral care clinicians and administrative supervisors who have been trained to diffuse potentially violent situations. Most of the time, Everett said, employees on the unit are able to circumvent a problem before it spirals out of control. When they can’t, it’s reassuring to know that the APT is only a call away.

“The trained health care professionals on staff at IU Health — nurses, physicians and others who may be interacting with patients and families — are pretty skilled at knowing when something is getting out of hand. When they begin to feel threatened or uncomfortable, they call the team.”

Kimble Richardson, MS, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, LCAC, is a licensed mental health counselor with the St. Vincent Stress Center of Indianapolis. He said St. Vincent’s critical incidence stress management team assists with extreme situations.

“If a visitor or family member can’t

seem to get calmed down, we could eventually get called in for that,” he said. “We try to use other means first. We try to have an understanding of why people are upset and what we can do to help them.”

Clear expectations | Richardson and Everett said the safety of employees and patients is tantamount, and visitors who become violent are asked to leave. Both hospitals permit supervisors to form an agreement with a potentially volatile individual before a situation escalates. The agreement spells out acceptable behavior and the consequences of breaking those rules. Everett said the approach has been successful since its implementation this year.

“If it looks like there’s going to be a social issue [or] a difficult family or patient situation, we devise a care contract with that patient or visitor that really holds them to a certain level of behavior,” Everett said. “I think it’s helped. We’re trying to introduce strategies that will calm people and remind them that certain behaviors are expected of them even if they are a patient or a visitor.” ●

Recognize the signs AccordingtoKimbleRichardson,MS,

LMHC,LCSW,LMFT,LCAC,alicensedmentalhealthcounselorwithSt.VincentStressCenterofIndianapolis,peopletendtoexhibitcertainbehaviorswhenthey’reabouttolosetheirtemperorbecomeviolent.

“Youdon’thavetobeamentalhealthprofessionaltonoticethosethings,butittakesalittlebitofsophisticationtobeattunedtootherpeople’ssocialcues,”hesaid.

Signsofescalatingaggressioninclude:

■Clenched jaw■Faster breathing■ Pressured or louder speech■Wringing hands or clenching fists■Cursing■Pacing

Recognizingthesignsisthefirststep,butnursesmustknowwhattodointhesetensesituations.Richardsonsaidit’spossibletostopanepisodebeforeitreallybeginsjustbylisteningandofferingtohelp.

“Manytimes,thathelpscalmpeopledownprettyquickly,”hesaid.“Inmanycaseswhenpeoplearegettingupsetlikethis,theyjustwantinformation.Theywanttoknowthatyou’reattendingtothem.”

Response teams help diffuse volatile situations

Everett KimbleRichardson,alicensedmentalhealthcounselorwiththeSt.VincentStressCenterofIndianapolis,addressestheissueofstressed-outpatientsandfamilymembers.

MARCLEBRYK/CustomPublications

By Ashley Petry

Patient care atthe highest level

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Cover Story


SamaritanFlightProgram,operatedbyParkviewHealthinFortWayne,takesoffforanotheremergencyrescueflight.

SUBMITTEDPHOTO

Autonomy and adrenaline. These qualities appeal to flight nurses, who do their jobs thousands of feet in the air.Some work in

helicopters, providing on-site trauma care and

short-range hospital-to-hospital transfers. Others

work in airplanes, which offer longer-range transport for patients heading to rehabilitation or hospice programs. A typical flight team includes a nurse, paramedic and pilot.Regardless of their

specialty, flight nurses agree on one thing: Theirs is a tremendously rewarding job a nurse can have.

Patient care atthe highest level

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Cover Story


A job to love | Before Samantha McCarty, RN, PHRN, EMT-B, became a flight nurse, she worked for years in the emergency department of a rural hospital. The facility frequently used emergency helicopters to transfer patients. Eight years ago, she jumped at the chance to join Air Evac Lifeteam and now is stationed at the helicopter base in Brazil, Ind.

“I like the autonomy,” McCarty said. “I don’t have a doctor over my shoulder saying, ‘Give Tylenol. Do this. Do that.’ My partner and I put our brains together, assess the patient and treat the patient.”

Barbara Coffel, RN, MSN, CNS, is a pediatric flight nurse with Indiana University Health LifeLine. She pursued the career more than 20 years ago when

her son, then 10, suffered recurrent cerebral aneurysms and needed to be transported to Riley Hospital for Children.

“You have the ability to really make a difference — to make a huge difference — especially when we’re talking about babies,” she said. “The things you do in the first 5 or 10 minutes can make all the difference in the world in terms of the outcome.”

That level of responsibility might intimidate some nurses, but not Joe Ruley, RN. A career with the Samaritan Flight Program, a service of Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, is ideal for this former emergency-room nurse, who also is a license as a private pilot. He now splits his time between on-site trauma cases, such as traffic accidents, and hospital-to-hospital transfers.

BarbaraCoffel,aflightnurseforIndianaUniversityHealthLifeLine,performsapre-flightcheck.

“Thisyear,theonethat’sbeenmostmemorablewasalittlebaby,about3monthsold,whowaspost-opwithhypoplasticleftheartsyndrome,averyseriousdefect.Hewasinheartfailureandincredibly

sick.Wespentmostoftheflightonourkneesworkingwithhim.“Itbecameabundantlyclearthatwehadtogethimsomewherethey

coulddosomethingmoredefinitiveforhim.Rileyistheonlylevel-onepediatrictraumacenterinthestate,sowemadethephonecallandaskedtohavealltheplayersinplacewhenwearrived.Thatwasgoingtomakeabigdifferenceinhissurvival.Heendedupdoingprettywellinthelongrun.”

Barbara CoffelIndiana University Health LifeLine

MARCLEBRYK/CustomPublications

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“I’m always very impressed with how people respond to me,” he said. “It’s amazing to me, the outpouring of support while we’re working.”

Balancing aspects | But the job isn’t without challenges. Flight nurses must be able to think critically, make quick assessments and then act on those decisions. Sometimes, they also have to be skilled diplomats.

“You’re walking into somebody else’s ER,” Coffel said. “You have doctors and nurses who have invested a lot of time and energy into this [patient]. They’re worried and scared. You’re just a nurse, but you walk in and take over. Sometimes the waters part to help you, but sometimes they’re hesitant to turn a patient over to people they don’t know.”

The best part of the job, McCarty said, is communicating with patients who have good outcomes. She recalled one boy whose prognosis was grave after he was struck by an SUV. Now years later, the boy is healthy. His parents still send McCarty updates about his milestones and good grades.

“I think it’s the same as any kind of nursing,” Coffel said. “The basic principle is still delivering the best care we can and ensuring the best outcomes we can get. You just happen to do it in a helicopter.”

The logistics | With Air Evac Lifeteam, McCarty is based at a regional airport, where she works a 24-hour shift and must be prepared to respond to an emergency within five minutes. She generally works five shifts every 14 days — usually two shifts one week and three the next.

“You have to be on your A game not just in the middle of the day, but also at two in the morning,” she said.

Coffel is based at the heliport in downtown Indianapolis; like McCarty, she works 24-hour shifts. Because of the focus on pediatric patients, the teams include of one nurse and one respiratory therapist.

“Everyflightmissioniscompletelydifferent.OnepatientinFloridawasasnowbirdwhohadahouseupinnorthernIndiana.Shewasoneofourhospicetransportsbackhome.Herfamilyknewthatshewasdying,andwewereabletogetherbackhomeforacoupleweeks.

“Shedidn’treallytalktousduringtheflight,butshesmiledalot.Thatwasafuntime,becausemostoftenI’mtakingpeopletoahospital,soseeingsomeonegetexcitedaboutbeinghomeisaprettyphenomenalthing.Tobeabletoputsomeonebackintheirbedathomeandgetthemtuckedin,youknowtheyarewheretheywanttobe.”

“A3-year-oldIwentafteronetimehadalotofneurologicaltraumaandhemodynamictrauma.Ididn’thavetimetomissanIVandstartanotheronebecauseIhadtogoonanddosomethingelse.Ididn’thavetimetomakeanymistakes.That’swhyI

thinkthere’sahigherpowerouttherewhohelpsussometimes.“Ifoundoutlaterthathewasbackinschoolandactive,andthatwasreallygreat.

Therearelotsofmiraclestoriesoutthere.”

Samaritan flight nurses are based at an airport and work three days in 12-hour, alternating day and night shifts with another crew.

Between helicopter flights, the nurses restock medical supplies, train new recruits, prepare community educational programs and — when they can — rest up so they’ll be fresh for the next call.

The situation is different for James Matthew Guy, RN, BSN, NRETT, a volunteer flight nurse and paramedic for Grace on Wings in Plainfield: He also

JamesMatthew GuyGrace On Wings

JoeRuleySamaritan Flight Program

works full-time at Kosciusko Community Hospital. A pager notifies him whenever Grace on Wings needs assistance. Teams are assembled based on the availability of volunteer professionals (including pilots) who can meet the patient’s specific needs.

The nonprofit organization is the nation’s only charity airplane ambulance. Nicknamed “Nellie,” the plane is used for hospital-to-hospital transports of 150 miles or more, generally from one ICU to another. It also transports hospice

JamesMatthewGuy,avolunteerflightnurseandparamedicforGraceonWings,tendstoapatientwhileenroutetoahospital.

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Cover Story


patients who wish to return home.

Training requirements | Being a flight nurse requires extensive training and certification. When McCarty applied to Air Evac Lifeteam, she had to have half a dozen specific certifications, such as ACLS and PALS, before her application even would be considered. The company also requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in a busy emergency department or ICU.

Many companies require applicants to pass written tests and simulations. Some

require a grade of 100 percent before considering an application.

After being hired, nurses get even more training. For McCarty, that included a three-week flight academy and oral board exams.

Flight nurses work under the license of their medical directors, who are emergency-department physicians. They must be trained in skills that nurses don’t normally perform, such as inserting chest tubes, and often are required to practice those skills during in-service workshops.

Airplane nurses also are trained in flight physiology, focusing on the impact of altitude and cabin pressure on

patients with certain conditions.Regardless of a nurse’s trauma

experience, flight nursing comes with its own set of challenges. Most companies partner new recruits with seasoned professionals who act as mentors. Although the hurdles to entry are high, flight nurses say the extra effort is worth it.

“My job satisfaction is amazing because I love what I do,” McCarty said. “I love taking care of patients and using my knowledge to help someone in their time of need. We need to be the best part of their worst day, and I take pride in that, in helping someone at a difficult time.” ●

“Myfirstflightwasapatientwhowashavingadissectinganeurysm,whichmeansthereisbloodleakingintothebody.Thedoctorsaid,‘Takethepatientandgo.Befast.’Iwasscaredtodeathand

wasparalyzedwithfear.“OncewegotthepatientsafelydroppedoffinIndianapolis,Igotbackin

thehelicopter,andthought,‘Idon’tevenknowifIcandothis.’Itwassomuchstress.“Aweeklater,thepatientandhissistercametoourbase.Hetoldusthatthedoctors

inIndianapolissaidhewouldn’tbealiveifnotforus,andhissistermadeuscookies.Thatsealedthedeal.That’swhyIdowhatIdo,becausehe’shere.”

Samantha McCartyAir Evac Lifeteam

SamanthaMcCarthy,aflightnurseforAirEvacLifeteam,recentlywasawardedtheNationalFlightNurseoftheYearbyhercompany.

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ITTE

DPH

OTO

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http://www.hendricks.org/nursing

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Careers & Training


Losing a patient is distressing regardless of the circumstance. But some situations can help nurses prepare better for patient deaths. Those who are called to work in ICU, for example, know they’ll face patient deaths in the line of work.

“[People] are called to different types of nursing, and that does affect how you think and how you process and how you prepare,” said Tony Reynolds, RN, BSN,

CCRN, nurse manager of the ICU at Community Hospital South.

While ICU patients have a more tenuous hold on life, no unit or field of nursing is immune to patient mortality. In long-term

care settings, death is the end of each resident’s care experience.

“We have the long-term care units where some of the nurses assistants and nurses have worked there for years taking care of that resident,” said Martha Herron, RN, director of clinical services for American Senior Communities. “Those types of situations are probably the most difficult because you’re not only losing a resident, you’re losing a family member. Sometimes [you’re] the only family member they have had.”

Knowledge and understanding | Physiological training gives nurses an understanding of illness and the life cycle, which helps them mentally cope psychologically with patient deaths. Another part of successful coping is experience.

“You have to be able to understand the dying process and accept it yourself,” Herron

said. “You still go through the grieving process, but I guess you learn to deal with it better. It’s a learning experience. That’s just part of life.”

As nurses become more seasoned, they learn how to manage their own feelings in the face of a family’s grief. Herron said American Senior Communities makes sure new nurses don’t go through a patient’s dying process by themselves.

“I think you can ask any nurse, whether they’re in a hospital or nursing facility, and they’ll always remember that first death,” she said.

ICU nurses often have years of experience on the unit and are inured

to death. For less-experienced nurses, coping often comes with extensive support from co-workers. Other nurses, chaplains and managers are sources of consolation and can help colleagues through the grieving process.

“Sometimes, if we just ask them, it validates how they feel,” Reynolds

said. For particularly upsetting

losses, nurses can access formal services

such as employee assistance programs.

Comforting through your own pain | Nursing isn’t limited to caring for patients — it includes caring for the patients’ familes.

“Some people just want you there to listen and to

answer questions,”

Reynolds said. “A lot of it is setting up what to expect — ‘This is normal. We’re going to keep your family member comfortable.’ And letting them know it’s OK to grieve.”

When a family member dies — whether expected or unexpectedly — a nurse usually is first on the scene. If the nurse has built a relationship with the family they’ll look to the nurse as a health care professional, as well as a source of support and understanding. Nurses who’ve experienced the death of a loved one have a different level of compassion for the grieving family.

“It is part of the job,” Reynolds said. “It’s almost like a ministry. You get a sense of pride and comfort knowing you’re there for them during this time.” ●

Death, grief are the inevitable — and human — side of nursing

Jill RN. This,theonlyinformationprovided

onheremployeebadge,identifiedthewomanwhowaswithmyfatherinthelastmomentsofhislife.Myfather’sunidentifiedillnessdidn’tseemrealuntilfivedaysbeforehedied,whendoctorsdiagnosedhimwithstageIVesophagealcancer.

Hespentthosefivedaysonatelemetryunit—asituationhehateduntil“JillRN”tookoverthelasttwodaysofhishospitalization.Jillwaseverythingmydadneededthen—funny,easy-going,upbeat,bossyinagoodwayandapproachable.

ButfathercodedsuddenlyasJillhelpedhimoutofbed—thendiedwithinafewminutes.Shewasasstunnedaswewere,cryingassheconsoledus.Atthatmoment,Jillwasmorethanmydad’snurse—shewasamemberofmyfamily.

— Holly Wheeler

Reynolds

Less-experienced nurses rely on the support from coworkers when coping with death.

By Holly Wheeler

Careers & Training

NURSE16


As more Indiana hospitals push for magnet status, many registered nurses are going back to school for a bachelor’s degree.

But thanks to the growing number of online programs, nures don’t necessarily have to go back to the classroom.

Several universities in the state offer RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN online degree programs, and even a PhD in nursing.

“[An online program] is really a viable option for the working professional,” said Dr. Barbara Ihrke, PhD, RN, dean of the Indiana Wesleyan Univeristy School of Nursing.

IWU offers RN to BSN and MSN classes online, and

according to Ihrke, these degrees are every bit as rigorous as their traditional counterparts.

“Whether it’s a residential baccalaureate or an online baccalaureate, [students] have to meet the same baccalaureate outcomes and the same accreditation standards,” Ihrke said. “[Online] is a different curriculum in that its content meets the needs of working adults. In other words,

By Brooke Baker

Online nursing degree options

WGUIndiana,whichoffersbothpre-andpost-licensureonlinenursingdegrees,istakinganewapproachtoclinicals.Itpairseachstudentwithonenurse(aclinicalcoach)for12-hourshiftsthroughouttheclinicalrotation.

“[Clinicalcoaches]workone-on-onewithstudentsanddevelopamentoringrelationship,”saidPeggyKeen,MSN,RN,statenursingdirectorforWGUIndiana.

Thisarrangementhasadvantagesforbothparties.Studentsgettochooseclinicalcoacheswhoseschedulesmeshwiththeirs(maybenightsorweekends)andexperiencewhatit’sliketoworkfullshifts.Mentorshavetimetoobservestudents’abilitiesaswellasareasthatneedextrainstruction.

HancockRegionalHealthisoneofWGUIndiana’spartnerfacilities.MarshaMeckel,MA,BSN,RN,teamleaderofclinical

excellence,saidclinicalcoachescompleteamentoringcoursewithWGUthatprovidessomevaluablementoringtools.

“Themajorityofourstaffpreceptnewemployeesorstudentnursesanyway,”shesaid.“It’sreallynicetohaveaformalprogramwecanoffertomakesureeveryonehasthesameexpectationsaboutwhatneedstooccurwhentheyhaveastudentwiththem.”

A different approach to clinicals

Ihrke

there are assumptions made that working adults understand the nursing programs, so they start at a higher level.”

The online RN-to-BSN program at WGU Indiana is competency-based. Students are tested on core competency skills throughout the term and move on only when they’ve passed that assessment. Peggy Keen, MSN, RN, WGU state nursing director, said students who bring skills from their work experience can move ahead faster because they can quickly pass their competency assessments.

“Let’s say someone in a nursing leadership administration masters program has 20 years of experience as

Careers & Training

NURSE17


a director,” Keen said. “They bring competencies they’ve already developed. They’d probably be able to move through a course and their assessments much faster than someone who hasn’t had any nursing administration experience.”

What’s an online degree program like? | The details differ for each school, but online and classroom courses share similarities because core competencies are the same for both venues.

Most online programs are asynchronous, meaning that students progress through the week’s material at their own pace. They don’t meet at scheduled times to watch lectures together or participate in discussions, that doesn’t mean discussions don’t happen.

Discussion boards are an important component of online classrooms and can be an advantage for students who would be hesitant to speak up in an actual classroom. The online forum provides a more controlled environment for debate and inquiry.

Students are expected to contribute thought-out comments at certain

number of times each week. Teachers join discussions and monitor them closely. Ihrke compared nonparticipation to skipping class or trying to remain anonymous in the back row of the classroom.

“If they’re not responding on the discussion board, it’s pretty obvious,” Ihrke said. “If they’re not responding, they’re counted absent — and [at IWU] they can only be absent from one class in a five-week session. If they’re not posting, someone’s out there saying ‘What’s going on? How do we need to help you?’ ”

Schools with online programs work hard to ensure that students can access the support they need, including faculty and advisers, who make a point to be easily accessible by email.

“Unlike a traditional university where students might go in and attend a four-hour class one day a week, they have much more access to their faculty members,” said Gina Drake, MSN, RN, director of academic affairs and chair of health care programs for the University of Phoenix. “Questions get answered in a timely manner because faculty are in the classroom and looking,” she said.

In addition to the RN to BSN and RN

to MSN online degree programs, Phoenix offers an online PhD in nursing.

What about clinicals? | Because students are registered nurses, they completed most of the clinical work during their previous schooling. The community health clinical requirement usually is all that remains.

Each school arranges clinicals differently. Some partners with facilities, where students are placed for clinicals and skill labs. At others, students arrange their own clinicals with help from their advisers, who review the proposed facility and monitor students’ progress.

The University of Phoenix has a virtual clinical environment that allows students to complete required hours by working through scenarios online.

“We have state-of-the-art simulation labs that students can use if they choose to,” Drake said. “We also have a virtual health care organization that is actually a hospital [students can use] when they are enrolled in a course that has clinical requirement. They click on the link to that organization and they can do assignments that relate to that clinical through a virtual organization.” ●

IS-5875230

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Your World By Holly Wheeler

M18


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1125West Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131 | Phone: (317) 736-3440 | Fax: (317) 738-7858

www.johnsonmemorial.org A hospital you can believe in.

E M P O W E R I N G P R O F E S S I O N A L SAt Johnson Memorial Hospital, when we hire you, we give you the support, technol-ogy, and training you need, and then we let you get to work. You won’t run into thekind of red tape you’re used to. We believe in our people and want them to grow.Enjoy the feeling of empowerment that comes with a career at Johnson Memorial.

RN Case Manager – Quality ResourcesDepartment75 hrs./2 week pay period; varied hours mostly evenings with weekend rotations andcall shifts. Requires Indiana RN license; familiarity with managed care, Medicare andMedicaid guidelines and precertification, concurrent and retrospective review. BSN,1 year case management experience, Clinical pathway experience and certification inCase Manager preferred.

We invite you to go to our website for more information and to see our currentemployment opportunities: www.johnsonmemorial.orgor call our toll-free Jobline at: 877-695-4561. EOE

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NURSE19


Your World

Nurses do amazing things on the job. Between shifts and on weekends, they translate their passion for nursing into other ventures — with some incredible results.

Here are the stories of nurses who shine in the limelight away from the job.

En pointe | When Amber Mack, RN, saw a performance of “The Nutcracker” as a high school freshman, she knew she’d

found her passion. She started taking classes and playing catch-up.

“Most ballerinas start when they are 2,” she said.

Her hard work paid off when she won a talent scholarship to

Northern Illinois University. There she earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance performance. Before graduating, she landed a job as a company member with the Indiana Ballet Theatre in Crown Point.

Two years later, when the ballet company cut its health insurance benefits, Mack stayed on, but she also returned to school — this time to get a nursing degree.

After working for five years in pediatrics at Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital, Mack switched from part time to PRN status and took a part-time position at Express Care in Valparaiso. She also spends four days a week at the ballet company practicing and sewing costumes, and dances in most performances.

“Many of my patients came to my performances with their school groups,” she said. “I got to go out afterward and speak with them and encourage them to go to college and pursue their dreams.”

Dual careers are just part of this busy 28-year-old’s life. She and her husband have a 15-month-old son and recently found out they’re expecting a second child. Hectic schedule aside, Mack said it’s all worth it.

“You definitely need to have a passion and a career outside of nursing. Otherwise you’re going to get burned out,” she said. “You can’t just help others all the time. You need to help yourself,

By Shari Held

Outside interests help nurses achieve balance

Mack

AmberMackhasbeeninvolvedinballetsinceshesaw“TheNutcracker”asahighschoolfreshman.

SHUTTERSTOCK

NURSE20

Your World


and have your own thing to do when you get off work.”

Right on target | Stacy Young is a nursing student at the University of Southern Indiana. She also works full-time at Covance, a pharmaceutical research company. What’s unusual is that she’s also an accomplished archer.

Though her parents are avid archers, Young didn’t take up the sport herself until 10 years ago after a painful break-up with her first love.

“I was very young, and I was kind of lost,” she said. “I tried to remember what I had done for fun before meeting him.”

One day, she came across the bow her ex-boyfriend had given her and decided to give it a try. This year, she finished eighth overall in the National Triple Crown.

“It was very shocking because it was my first year out,” she said. “I had only participated in little local shoots where, most of the time, I was the only girl.”

After her success in the nationals, Young began preparing for the world competition in New York, setting her sights on becoming the No. 5 archer in the world. With 1,500 participants, the

competition as “intimidating,” but she prevailed and did, indeed, become the No. 5 ranked archer in the world.

At 29, Young still has strong skills and a passion for archery, but she recognizes that she can’t compete forever and that the prospects of earning a living as an archer are slim.

“The way I look at it is, it’s a fun thing to do, and I’m going to make the best of it while I can,” she said. “But I have to have

something to fall back on.” She received her CNA certification in

2003 and has worked in several health care environments since then, including nursing homes, hospitals, doctors’ offices and a psychiatric unit.

“I love every minute of it,” she said. “I couldn’t ever see myself not doing nursing.” ●

Do you have an unusual hobby or interest? Tell us about it at [email protected].

StacyYoungspendshersparetimeonthearcheryrange.

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We couldn’t have done it without your hard work and dedication.

With three consecutive honors from both Modern Healthcare Magazine’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare AND IndianaChamber of Commerce’s Best Place to Work, it’s no secret that Hancock Regional Hospital boasts the best nurses in thebusiness. We want to thank you, our nurses, for our consistent winning streak. We are currently accepting applications from

Registered Nurses For more information or to apply online, visit theCareers section of our website:

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801 N. State Street, Greenfield, IN 46140 EOE

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NURSE21


RHI provides personalized, compassionate care that enables individuals to regain hope and independence after life-changing injury or illnessCome talk with us about a specialty certification as CCRN.

We offer competitive wages and excellent benefits.Please visit our website at www.rhin.com to see our current job listing and complete an online application.

REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF INDIANA4141 Shore Drive | Indianapolis, IN 46254

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opened in 1992 and we are proud of our many years of outstanding service. RHI is one of the largest freestanding inpatient physical rehabilitation hospitals in the Midwest. We offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care to those with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, orthopedic intervention and strokes.

With our program model, we focus on our centers of excellence and can offer you opportunities to work with other clinical experts and newly emerging information, technology and treatments. We invite you to join our team of healthcare professionals as we assist our patients in achieving their highest potential.

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NURSE22


Your World By Ashley Petry

For3-year-oldMaggieMullin,theAug.13SugarlandconcertattheIndianaStateFairwasachancetoseeherfavoritebandandwearafancynewpinktutu.

Instead,badweatherturnedthefamilyoutingintoanightmare.WhenthestagecollapsedintotheVIParea,dubbedtheSugarPit,Maggieandhermother,LauraMagdziarz,wereinjured.

Whilesomeconcertgoersfledthesceneinpanic,manyothersrushedtothepittohelp.Manyworkedtofreepeopletrappedbytherigging,andthosewithmedicaltraining—includingnurses,doctorsandEMTs—cametotheaidtheinjured.Maggiealoneencounteredacarechainofnearlyadozenvolunteers,includingadoctorandseveralnurses.

Instinct takes overThefirsttoreachherwasNataliePrater,

RN,anursewithRileyHospitalforChildrenatIUHealth.Praterhadbeenstandingaboutfivepeopleawayfromthestage,butwhentheweatherworsened,herhusbandsuggestedthattheyleave.

“Westartedwalkingaway,andthat’swhenweheardthesnapsandpopsand[thestage]startedcomingdown,”Pratersaid.“Weran,andthestagecollapsedabout5feetfromus.Wewerecoveredindust,andthewindabout

Indiana State fair lifesavers:

Nurses rushed to help injured concertgoersblewusover,butIthankmyhusbandforsavingmylife.”

Withouthesitation,Praterandherhusbanddashedbackintothefraytohelp.Afterclimbingoverrigging,PraterencounteredMaggie,whowassittingonthelapofherinjuredmother.

“Hermomwasyelling‘Helpus!’”Pratersaid.“Isawthelittlegirl’sarmwasbadlybrokenandbleedingprofusely,andIthoughtshemighthaveaseveredartery.”

Praterusedsomeone’sshirtasatourniquettostabilizeMaggie’sarm,butsheknewimmediatemedicalattentionwasrequired.ShetoldMagdziarz,“Youhavetotrustme,”andthenpassedMaggietoopenarmsontheothersideoftherigging.

Thelittlegirl,hertutunowsmearedwithblood,passedthroughseveralsetsofarmsbeforebeingloadedintoanambulanceandrushedtoRiley.

Meanwhile,PraterturnedherattentiontoMagdziarzandothersinneed.

“IneverknewhowIwouldreallyreactinthemoment,butIreactedhowIwouldhave

hopedIwould,”Pratersaid.“Instinctjusttookover,buteverythingI’vebeentaughtreallyhelpedme.”

Intheend,sevenpeoplediedasaresultofthefreakaccident,anddozensmorewereinjured.Maggiewasoneoftheluckyones.Shehasmadeafullrecovery,andgainednew

friendsalongtheway—severalevendeliverednewpinktutustoherhospitalroom.

Everyone can help — if they willWhilePraterandother

nursesworkedamongstthewreckage,otherssetupamakeshifttriageareaunderthebleachers.OnewasOBnurseDoreenNorris-Stojak,RN,MS,directorofwomenandchildrenservicesforMethodistHospitalsinGaryandMerrillville.

TheconcertticketswereaMother’sDaypresent,andNorris-Stojakbeenlooked

forwardtorelivingchildhoodtraditionsattheIndianaStateFair.Sheandherhusbandweresittinginthethirdrowofthebleacherswhenthestagecollapsed.

Intheaftermath,thecoupleaskedapoliceofficerhowtheycouldhelp,andhe

“�I�never�knew�how�I�would�really�react�in�the�moment,�but�I�reacted�how�I�would�have�hoped�I�would.�Instinct�just�took�over,�but�everything�I’ve�been�taught�really�helped�me.”

— Natalie Prater, RN Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

TONYCAMPBELL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COMWhentragedystruckAugust13,2011,attheIndianaStateFair,manyvolunteerscametotheaidofinjuredconcertgoersimmediatelyafterthestagecollapse.

About mePosition: Staffnurse,palliativecare

andoncology,RichardL.RoudebushVAMC

Education:IvyTechCommunityCollege

with Danny Ball

Send an email to [email protected] Tell us about your world

M23


Your World By Holly Wheeler

What did you do before enrolling in nursing school?

“I used to be in a band. I played guitar and was a singer. We did a lot of rock and a little bit of funk and a little bit of improv. We played all over the place — The Patio in Broad Ripple, we played in Terre Haute a lot, the college towns, Bloomington and St. Louis. We did it full time. We all had our little side jobs, but what we did was music.”

Why did you become a nurse? “One night toward the end of 2003,

it hit me all at once: ‘I think it might be time to move onto something else.’ Then, on New Year’s Eve, I stopped what I was doing and said, ‘I am going to become a nurse.’ The next day [Ivy Tech] was open, I drove up and enrolled.

“It also came about because I converted to Catholicism and I wanted to do something completely different. I had considered nursing before, but I wasn’t ready.”

Why did you choose to work at the VAMC?

“I felt very at-home there immediately — I pretty much knew that was where I wanted to work. I worked

in surgery the first year then went over to a new unit called palliative care and oncology. I absolutely love it.”

How do you cope with caring for patients who are near death?

“I’m acclimated to it, but it can be difficult at times because you do get attached to the patients and their families. That’s part of the job I like, part of what makes it worth it.

“Palliative care and oncology are two different sides of the same coin. In oncology, every once in a while a success story will walk through the door just to thank us. That really makes you feel like you’re making a difference.”

What challenges do you face as a man in a female-dominated profession?

“The male nurses on the floor usually get the more combative patients, because they will respond differently to a male nurse. [But] it seems to me that people are accepting.”

What’s the most important thing in your life right now?

“I have a 3-year-old daughter — who’s really the main focus of my life right now. She’s pretty much why I do everything I do. I was fortunate enough to be able to switch from 12-hour shifts to 8-hour shifts so I can be there every evening for her.” ●

NataliePraterofRileyHospitalinIndianapolis,takestimetoplaywiththree-year-oldAaylafromGary.

directedthemtothetriagearea.Norris-Stojaktendedtopatients’lacerationsandbrokenbones.Herhusband,whoalsoworksforMethodistHospitals,butasaplantoperationsmanagerandhasnomedicaltraining,carriedpatientstoambulancesonboardsandfoldingtables.

Norris-Stojaksaidherexperiencewithhospitaldisasterdrillshelpedhergetthroughtheevening—andhandletheemotionalchallengesthatfollowed.

“AnytimethereisadisasterdrillI’llparticipate,becauseit’sgoodexperience,”shesaid.“IknownowthatIwouldneverhesitate.”

Training + adrenalineLoriPostma,RN,medicalcarebranch

directorforFranciscanPhysiciansHospitalinMunster,saiddisasterdrillsareagoodwayforallnursestoprepareforsituationsliketheonethatoccurredattheIndianaStateFair.Sheregularlyorganizessuchdrills,whichshedescribedasteachingpeoplethingsshehopesthey’llneverhavetouse.

“Knowledgeisalwaysthekeywhenitcomestothingslikethat,”shesaid.“Themoreyoulearnandknowhowtohandlesituations,itmakesitalotlessscary.”

PostmaalsorecommendsanursingcertificationcalledPre-hospitalTraumaLifeSupport.Theclassaddressespracticalskillsaswellastheemotionalchallengesfacedbyfirstresponders.Postmasaidevennurseswhoneverencounterlarge-scaledisasterslikelywillusethetrainingatsomepoint—whethertheyhappenuponacaraccidentorencounteranemergencysituationintheircommunity,they’llbeprepared.

“Thatadrenalinekicksin,andyoudowhatyouhavetodotohelppeoplesurvive,”shesaid.“You’renotanurseifyoudon’thavethatsortofthinginyourmind.”●

MAR

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Joinour mission. Work alongside the greatest

healer of all time

INDIANAPOLIS STAR NEWS 11/1/20111ATL064187B

7.25 x 9.75” (4c process) KMURRAY JWISFR0361

jb Nursing Magazine

At St. Francis Health,

we believe

delivering healthcare

is more than a job.

It’s a calling.

If you have an angel’s

touch and a servant’s

heart, we invite you

to join our mission.

The people, the faith-based ministry, professionalism and compassionate care are what make St. Francis Health a great place to have a rewarding career in health care.

We are currently seeking candidates for the following positions:

Beech Grove Campus

RNs – Intensive Care – all shiftsCurrent Indiana RN license is required. We will consider new graduates who have passed the RN boards.

RNs – Nursing Resource PoolNew, temporary contract positions available for short term needs:• D/E/N with 13 week contracts and guaranteed hours• Offering premium pay rates with completion bonuses• Med/Surg and Critical Care needs

Also hiring for permanent openings in the Resource Pool!• Options to work 12-36 hours per week, D/E/N; 4, 8 and 12 hour shifts available• 8 different commitment options with competitive rates

Currently we are in need of Med/Surg and Critical Care Nurses to work on a temporary basis at our Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville facilities. Must have 1 year experience in Med/Surg and 2 years’ experience in Critical Care required. Indiana RN license is required.

Indianapolis Campus

Unit Manager – Labor & Delivery The qualified candidate must possess a BSN from an accredited school of nursing and a valid Indiana RN license. MSN is preferred. Previous management experience is required. A background in business is ideal.

Unit Manager – Medical Progressive CareThe qualified candidate must possess a BSN from an accredited school of nursing and valid IN licensure. Master’s preferred. A minimum of 3-5 years management experience and experience in project management, budgets & productivity; cardiac experience is required.

RNs – Post Surgical Inpatient Unit – days, nights and weekends Current Indiana RN license is required.

Please visit our website at www.stfrancishospitals.org/careers for a list of additional opportunities and to apply.

IS-5875235

http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/careers

Documents

INQ 11.14.11