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MUSC Medical Links Charleston Links Archives Catalyst Advertisers Seminars and Events Research Studies Public Relations Research Grants MUSC home page Community Happenings Campus News Applause

 


Nurses enjoy royal treatment



by Dawn Brazell
Public Relations
Sporting a tiara and pink boa given to her by members on her nursing unit, Bonnie Rab, R.N., enjoyed her time in the limelight May 6 as nurses  packed St. Luke’s Chapel to recognize the accomplishments of their peers.
 
Jessica Stout, R.N. on 10W, gets a makeover.

Rab, named staff nurse of the year, wore her princess attire as she enjoyed a reception outside the chapel following the ceremony.
 
KellyAnne Caraviello, R.N., and nurses week committee co-chair, said she thought the ceremony came together beautifully. It honored the hospital's nurses-of-the-year nominees and winners in four categories: support nurse, resource nurse, nurse manager and staff nurse. It also honored the Palmetto Gold recipients, Heart of Nursing contributers to the online compilation of nursing reflections and unit winners.
The Nursing Excellence 2010 Nurses Week Awards Ceremony and the wide assortment of appreciation activities throughout the week are important ways to recognize nurses for their accomplishments throughout the year, she said.
 
Alexis Boulton, an ultrasound technician, enjoys a chair massage from Kate Shepard.

“Nurses have many roles; we are staff nurses, educators, managers and coordinators to name a few. Nurses week is about bringing us all together and to celebrate our profession,” she said. “At MUSC, we take care of some of the sickest patients in the state. It is an honor to work with such a high caliber of nurses.”
 
MUSC nurses made it into the top 10 percent judged “best for nursing care” on listings put out by U.S. News & World Report based on reported patient satisfaction survey results. The results released in October 2009 came from rankings where the highest percentages of patients said their nurses were “always” courteous, listened carefully, and gave clear explanations.
 
Bonnie Rab, who won Staff Nurse of the Year, enjoys an appreciation reception May 6 at St. Luke's Chapel.

Caraviello said they were excited to hear the news.
 
“To be recognized nationally for the high caliber we have is extraordinary and well-deserved. That’s how our nurses practice on a daily basis, and it’s nice to get that national validation.”







Nurses win excellence awards for 2010


From left are Sarah Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Fleming, Melissa Martin and
Bonnie Rab





Resource Nurse
Sarah Johnson, Ph.D., R.N.

Joey Amundsen's, R.N., reflections:
—Sarah is a dedicated employee, and is always available and flexible about admitting  patients to inpatient settings. She is courteous and always conscientious of patient rights and privacy.  She is always smiling. I have never heard her enter a room without showing the utmost respect and kindness to our patients. She makes their transition to the hospital as care free as possible by explaining the day-to-day operations, and she makes sure to answer their initial questions.  Finally, her work is thorough and can be counted on to be accurate. Sarah personifies MUSC Excellence every day and this hospital is extremely fortunate to have her.  I can not think of a better representative to have initial contact with our patients.

Support Nurse
Mary Elizabeth Fleming, R.N.

Christine Wheeler's, R.N., reflections:
—Beth is an energetic, innovative leader. She is continuously positive, providing excellent leadership to this clinic [Adult Primary Care Clinic]. She responds  immediately to important issues. She has initiated projects that have been extremely beneficial to the running of the clinic. One example is the problems with the large amount of walk-in patients. After documenting walk-in numbers and working through a process put forward by Beth, our walk-in numbers have dropped immensely. She is supportive to the staff and to our patients. She monitors patients’ needs in the clinic, providing service recovery when needed. She is a wonderful asset to MUSC and certainly deserves support nurse
of the year.

Nurse Manager
Melissa Martin, R.N.

Becky Cherrington’s, R.N., reflections:
—Melissa has only been our nurse manager for one year but, in that year she has improved processes, uplifted moral and employee satisfaction, been a role model to many of the staff and has been a champion fighting for the needs of her staff. She values her staff and shows that by providing time for open discussion and communication about our needs and concerns. She is a good communicator and provides staff with timely and pertinent information prior to any changes in policies or processes. She encourages her staff to continue to grow and develop their skills as nurses. She provides funding and opportunities for staff to continue their education through in-service trainings and outside conferences. She has an open-door policy and is always willing to help with any situation no matter what the scope or size.


Staff Nurse
Bonnie Rab, R.N.

Johnna Jackson's, R.N., reflections:
—Her friendliness and work ethic have provided a ‘vertical glue’ to integrate staff into a cohesive group. She has a strong background in general pediatrics and has brought a new level of excellence in clinical knowledge and skill to each of these specialties. Every unit that she has staffed has called to praise her work and request her return. Her patient-centered focus was evident last week when a distraught mother arrived in clinic [Children's Specialty] with no appointment with her son who felt suicidal. The mother was frantic and didn’t know what to do. Bonnie demonstrated compassion and customer service as she went into action. She took them under her wing and didn’t stop until the family had been completely taken care of. Bonnie’s extraordinary kindness at a time of crisis was pivotal in the life of this family.


Friday, May 14, 2010


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