As I write to you for the first time, I want to state that I consider myself privileged to serve as Chief Nursing Officer here at Riverside Healthcare. Like any new leader, I meet each day with excitement, determination, and gratitude. As a transformational leader with a servant’s heart, you will have my inspiration and perspiration. The Nursing teams at Riverside Healthcare are remarkable and nothing has proved that more than the dedication and resilience that I have witnessed during this pandemic. I have watched you care for our community and one another, and often found myself in awe of your selfless flexibility and passion in action.

In 2020, Nurses have shown the world what real heroes look like! As OneRiverside, we have met the many challenges of a global pandemic, just as we have with any other crisis: with courage, excellence and vigilance. Passion is the quintessence of Florence Nightingale, whose 200th birthday is also this year. In honor of Flo’s big day, 2020 has been deemed the “Year of the Nurse”. And what a year it is to be a nurse!

This year-long celebration offers a platform to recognize past and present nurse leaders globally, raise the visibility of the nursing profession in policy dialogue, and invest in the development and increased capacity of the nursing workforce. This declaration is an extension of work initiated by the Nursing Now campaign to elevate the profession and ensure nurses are leading efforts to improve health and health care. The Riverside Nursing team have excelled in these efforts. The Nursing Leadership team at Riverside is currently working on refining our Nursing Strategic Plan and tactics to move the profession and the organization forward, while meeting our mission of providing remarkable experiences and excellence in care delivery. As part of an ongoing recognition for our nursing teams, we are also organizing several events through the remainder of the year. Keep your eyes open for social media shout outs, signage throughout the continuum, and other bright spots to highlight the great work you all do daily. Reflecting on the significance of the “Year of the Nurse”, our hope is to honor and recognize all who have dedicated themselves to the Nursing profession here at Riverside. One special event will honor all former Riverside Nurses who have passed away in a Nursing Honor Guard Ceremony. Whether you’re an Advanced Practice Nurse, experienced nurse, a new graduate, a nursing student or an individual who is considering nursing as a potential career, I am grateful to be your CNO and look forward to working with each of you!

Nursing Mission: “Riverside nurses are vigilant in providing quality, caring services in a safe environment to our patients and families.”

Nursing Vision: “Professional Nurses Are Empowered to Achieve a Culture of Excellence.”

Nursing Values: Partnership, Integrity, Excellence, Stewardship

Magnet Re-Designation Update

I am pleased to announce that Riverside Medical Center is working on its third Magnet Re-designation.  Only 8.59% of US hospitals have achieved Magnet status. It is the highest honor an organization can achieve for nursing excellence.  With every re-designation, Magnet organizations must show improvement from the previous designation.   In other words, it is difficult to obtain Magnet status and even more difficult to retain Magnet status.  I say with full confidence that we are a Magnet organization and we will be successful in our third Magnet designation. 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has granted a special COVID extension to document submission for re-designating organizations.  Therefore, the documents will be submitted by February 1, 2021.  An inter-professional team of 30 Riverside employees will write to the 94 Magnet standards.  The time frame for Magnet standard examples is August 2016-August 2020.  The exceptional work has already been done.  The next step is to write to each of the 94 Magnet standards.

Three Magnet appraisers will review the documents and determine if the example meets the Magnet standard.  This review will take four to six months.  Once the review is completed a site visit will be scheduled.  I expect the site visit to occur in July or August of 2021.  The site visit will be over three days and the three Magnet appraisers will validate, verify and amplify the information already submitted in the documents.  The Magnet appraisers will submit their findings to the Commission on Magnet.  The Commission on Magnet will make the final determination for our third re-designation. 

We deliver excellent and remarkable care to our patients and community.  I am excited to showcase this excellence in our Magnet documents and during the site visit.  I look forward to celebrating our successful third Magnet designation in 2021.

Nursing Innovation

The Shared Governance Counsel trialed several new IV Catheter options and selected the Nexiva IV Catheter. This system is made of BD Vialon catheter biomaterial. It is an all-in-one system designed to reduce insertion attempts increasing first-stick success, as well as reducing your exposure to blood through the innovative blood-containment system. The BD Nexiva IV catheter is also shown to preserve sites longer and designed to protect patients by reducing the risk of complications and restarts. BD IV technologies can help provide significantly better care and experience for your patient.

Recognition

Faith over Fear

A heartfelt letter of thanks to the staff at Riverside from a grateful family. This is “Why” we do what we do, and we do it with excellence! Grab a tissue…

Kudos and Accolades

There is no substitute for hard work. Your work is recognized, appreciated and valued! Well done!

Barb Schuch & the Family Birthing Center Team- Congratulations on receiving the Women’s Care Excellence Award for Labor and Delivery from Healthgrades!  The Labor and Delivery Excellence Award™ recognizes hospitals for superior care of women during and after childbirth.

Karen Neukomm, Holly Thornton, Vicky Dolan, Ali Szabo, Al Ponton, Dana Arsenau, Carrie Greenley, Katie Locke, Stephanie McDonald, Maryum Shabazz, Nicole Smith, Olivia Mantas, Cheryl Lewis, Danielle Drazen, Rachel Ryan- For working the COVID testing tent. Teamwork makes the dream-work!

Senior Life Team

Carolyn Blanchette – RN Coordinator > Carolyn consistently goes above and beyond by addressing resident care needs immediately. Carolyn has compassion and willingness to listen can help provide residents with a level of comfort and security. Carolyn helps make our residents feel they have more control over these perplexing circumstances.

Drew Weaver – RN > Drew constantly provides a high quality of care to all our residents. Drew delivers outstanding care and support while advocating for each resident. She is committed to making a positive impact to our residents and community every day.

Jill Bautista LPN: Jill is a true team player.  She will work wherever she is needed.  She worked the covid unit and never second guessed it.  Jill is always willing to change her schedule and an entire shift from days to nights to meet our needs.  She provides individualized care for each of her patients.  She is ALWAYS doing what is best for the patients.  She holds staff accountable and sets a higher standard to make sure that patient’s needs are met.

Jade Weybright-Smith: Jade is new to our team and has done a fabulous job so far.  She jumps right in no matter what the task is.  She changes her schedule around to meet our staffing needs.  She has a very calm demeanor and is great with patients and families.  She is willing to help other staff members at all times.  She gets to know her patients so that she can provide the patient centered care that is needed.  She treats everyone with dignity and respect.

Regina Tedeschi:  Regina knows Miller and her patients like the back of her hand.  I know that if Regina is working that everything is under control.  She is dedicated to Miller and her patients.  She goes above and beyond to meet her patient’s needs.  She anticipates what is needed and gets it done versus waiting. 

New RNs @ Riverside

The following RNs have begun their nursing journey at Riverside this year. Please welcome them to our team!!

• LAURA LOPEZ
• BARBARA SCHUCH
• MARTHA KENNEDY
• RACHEL LAGESSE
• CHRISTOPHER KUSY
• SHANA TESKE
• HOLLY DINELLO
• AMBER RUDD
• SARAH FOGT
• REGAN HOOPER
• MITCHELL KURZEJKA
• PAIGE BRADBURY
• CHLOE HOMCO
• JOCELYN STEWART
• CHRISTINA CHARLIER
• RACHEL POGLIANO
• BIANCA TRIPLITT
• CASSIDY BULTHUIS
• LORENA ORTEGA
• JESSICA EVANS
• AMOY CHAMBERS
• MICHELLE NOSKO
• CAMDEN LINDELL
• LAURA WHEELER
• BRIANNA WIGGINS
• JADE SMITH-WEYBRIGHT
• SHERRY STEWART
• ROCHELLE RUFF
• MARY KOHL

Retiring RNs

The following RNs have retired from Riverside in 2020. We are grateful for their service and wish them the best of health and happiness in their retirement.

• SUZANNE P. RIEGEL
• PATRICIA BLANCHETTE
• VICKI GOLDENSTEIN
• JANET S. PHELPS
• SUSAN K. KAPCHINSKE
• MARY M. NEWBERRY
• TRENNA L. BEAUPRE
• LORRAINE E. BRACH