NURSING: Many ways of caring Nursing is more than a job at^Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital, it is a commitment^ caring about the patient and all the many things that contribute to his or her well-being and rapid recover>' •On a daily basis, it is tender nursing care administered by staff with a reputation for friendliness and compassion. Tve been in other hospitals, bigger hospitals, bur never have 1 been in a place where I felt greater concern for me as a person " This is the kind of comment most frequently received about Burdette nurses. But the 1 dedication goes beyond the daily relationship between patient and nurse. It is also evident in the pursuit of excellence that inspires a continuing effort to update nursing methods, upgrade nursing staff education levels, develop patient teaching programs, and regularly study and evaluate nursing performance jn order to improve it. KEEPING UP WITH MO«pRN IDEAS AND TRENDS Moderimursing practice is in a constant state of develop ment as are other areas of health care. At BTMH. a Nursing Standards Committee meets regularly to discuss and evaluate current trends and new equipment When a new idea or resource is considered desirable and practical, they work to introduce it. Usually a procedure is written so that the entire nursing staff will understand and carry out the change ifi the same way. When new equipment is involved, committee members ^develop procedures and policies for using it. In cooperation with the hospital's nursing in-service ‘education) department. they orient nursing staff throughout the hospital to the new method or.device The committee is an ongoing active force to ensure that BTMH nurses remain current with tfieir profession’s high standards. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION In recent years, nursing staff have been jjncreasmgly encouraged to upgrade their education. A ttli^ion reimbursement program was initiated in 1978. Sevqral licensed practical nurses have studied under the program and are now registered nurses, and a group of registeredtiurses have attained Bachelor of Science degrees. In 1983. a scholarship loan program for any horoital employee interested in professional nursing education was initiated. To date, nine people have been approved for particiaption during 1983-1984.

Another inceptive to upgrade education is the establishment of skill levels with higher pay offered those who advance their education. In efiect since 1981, the program also requires head nurses and nursing supervisors to have advanced education. ORIENTATION When-a nurse moves from one hospital to another, differences in methodology are encountered. Nurses beginning work at BTMH receive orientation including classwork and hands-on experience lasting from one to six weeks. Each new employee is assigned a nurse preceptor to work with them during* their adjustment period. It is sort of ‘buddy system' according to in-service director. Dorothy Lovell, R.N. and it is maintained until the newcomer is comfortable m their new’ work environment IN-SERVICE EDUCATION The in-service department provides programs for upgrading staff skills in specialized areas. These may be Conducted by physicians, hospital.staff, or other professionals encouraged to share their expertise. Recent programs have included selected topics related to neurology, cardiology, urology, and other medical specialties. PATIENT EDUCATION In an eff#t to help patients understand procedures they are undergoing, nurses at BTMH have assumed an instrumental role in the development of teaching materials. Besides explaining things such as medical tests, registered

nurses are developing programs k) assist patients to adjust positively to chronic conditions such as asthma, heart problems and high blood pressure. QUALITt REVIEW Problem solving must be a high priority of any group striving for excellence. In an effort to improve communication, one day a month is set aside for head nurses to meet, review progress, and discuss future plans. The practice fosters a valuable flow of information among management staff who normally would have few opportunities to brainstorm Recently another approach has also been established. A Nursing Care Evaluation Committee is now charged with upgrading patient care by identifying and addressing problems. This group pulls patient charts at random and evaluates the care given. If areas of possible improvement^ are noted, a staff conference is held to discuss recommendations with the nursing personnelinvolved. Patient evaluation forms and letters to the nursing department are also routinely and thoroughly reviewed. Individual problems are noted and discussed with the persons involved. Problem trends are dealt with at the administrative level. The way to ensure optimal care for all our patients is to always be on the alei^ for ways to improve. You carinot eliminate problems, but you can solve them if you care enough always to try. v At BTMH, caring is tradition, policy, and reality.

Committed to Excellence

m * : 1^ Doris Baker, R.N. Beverly McPeak, RJV.

Zenaida Sagan, R.N.

DORIS 8AKER R W ossociate director of nursing was first employed at BTMH m 1952 as o staff nurse and relief supervisor At that time the hospital hod 65 beds. Since then, she has served o total of 18 years and has been an active participant in the progress of the nursing deportment. Mrs Baker has hod o'special interest and role in main'taining high nursing standards. Currfntly she is involved in selecting staff for the new building and is recruiting nurses with advanced training m critical core and other specialties * Mrs Baker-received her nurses training-at the District of Columbia General Hospital Washington D C. and to Bachelor of Science degree in health administration from Stockton College

BEVERLY MCPEAK. R.N., has been with the hospital .for five and a half years She has special responsibility for infection control. In that role, she functions both as a teacher and monitor Ms McPeak also serves on the patient education committee She has helped develop materials for teaching patiente about diseases such os pneumonia. ’Xs a co-chairperson of the Cost Awareness Committee, she has also been involved in education. In this cose^the highly successful program she helped organize was directed at informing employees about hospital expenses and encouraging them to helpVeduce costs. Beverly McPeak is a graduate of the Helene Fuld School of Nursing Trenton. New Jersey and will complete ,c Bachelor of Science in. public health administration at d Stockton State College next year.

MRS ZENAIDA S. SAGUN. R.N. has been with BTMH since 1974. In 1976. she assumed-the responsibilities of head nurse on 1 East, a surgical Hoar. She will soon take over as head nurse on 3 East, in the new building, a medical, surgical; orthopedic floor. Mrs. Sqgun is excited about the move. The facilities will offer patieets so much more pleasant surroundings, she soys, and of course, working conditions will be much improved. Mrs Sagun has served os chairperson of the Nursing Standards Committee lor over six years. She took her nur ses training at ^e University of St. Tomas Manila in the Philippines and hod two years experience os on operating room nuise before coming to the United States V