CENTER FOR NURSING EXCELLENCE VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 3

NURSINGNewsletterTABLE OF CONTENTS

CNO Corner .................................2

OAOTM ..........................................3

Nursing Excellence ....................4

ARC ................................................5

HIPAA ............................................5

IDHI Stroke Program .................6

UAMS Chief of Staff ..................7

Recognition and Retention Center ............................................8

High Reliability and Patient Safety ............................................9

Unit Spotlight ..............................10

DAISY Winners ...........................12

BEE Winners................................13

Nurse Remembrance ................14

Annual Professional Nursing Awards ..........................................15

Preceptor ......................................16

UAMS Forms New APRN Council

January marked an important milestone for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) at UAMS, as the first APRN Council meeting was held via Zoom and socially distanced classroom. The council is comprised of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Certified Nurse Specialists (CNS), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) from around the UAMS system. The idea for the Council developed several months ago as a way for APRNs to accomplish representation, collaboration, development and engagement at UAMS Health. In the early stages, four pillars of APRN development were established: 1) Empowerment 2) Mentorship 3) Engagement and 4) Transition to practice. In collaboration with UAMS nursing leadership and the Center for Nursing Excellence, these goals were realized with the formation of the APRN Council. A group of APRNs met in October to discuss goals of APRN development. Attendees were asked to serve as the first representatives to the Council for their practice and service lines. The Council is made up of both primary and alternate representatives from each service line, CNMs, CRNAs, the UAMS College of Nursing, and the APRN representative who serves on the Medical Board and the Credentialing Committee. Subcommittees to address each of the four pillars will be established soon. The APRN Council is excited to work toward our goals of APRN development at UAMS Health.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021

Crystal Marcussen, APRN, WHNP-BC

IDHI Stacey Petty and Rosalyn Perkins

Translational Research Institute Vallon Williams and Renee Shaide

CNM Lauren Trimble and Joni Yarnell

CRNA LeeAnn Davis

UAMS College of Nursing Sara Jones

UAMS Medical Board RepresentativeTesa Ivey

UAMS Credentialing Committee Tesa Ivey

Behavioral Health Kimberly Stickley

Cancer Meagan Walker and Jennifer Money

Emergency Medicine Angela Duncan and Monzelle Davis

Integrated Medicine Donna Gullette and Christina Miller

Musculoskeletal Allen Thomas and Courtney Owen

Neurosciences Ebonye Green and Deonna Wissler

Perioperative Services Carmen Peret and Lisa Rawn

Surgical Services Audra Arant and Britney Beumeler

Transplant Services Katrena Wilson

Women and Infants Crystal Marcussen and Brooke Keathley

APRN Council Representatives

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CNO CornerGreetings!

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays because it’s an opportunity to say thank you to the special people in our lives. I see it as a feel good day for everyone to share love and

kindness, not just a romantic holiday. I’d like to express how much I appreciate each and every one of you.

In early February, I opened a letter addressed to the UAMS Chief Nursing Officer mailed from Englewood, Colo. The hand-written letter inside is addressed to “The Healthcare Team at UAMS Medical Center” and reads: “THANK YOU for all you are doing to keep us safe during this pandemic. You are the unsung heroes of our time. You put yourselves and your families at risk every time you come to work – yet you still show up, mask up and get to work. Your dedication, compassion, skill and caring make all the difference to people during the worst times of their lives. They will never forget your care. So many people are thinking of you and are so

incredibly grateful for your hard work. We hope and pray that you and your families stay safe, and that this terrible pandemic comes to an end. Thank you again – we can never adequately express our gratitude to you and your colleagues.” It’s signed by The Batenburg Family. Also enclosed was the coloring sheet pictured here.

I couldn’t have written a more perfect thank you for our nursing staff. It’s been a long year. Please indulge yourself with some much self-love – whether that’s a movie night at home with your kids or friends, a massage, a mani-pedi, a cupcake, a hike in the woods, or just a long hot shower. Take time to do something you enjoy, something that will make you feel good.

I encourage you to take advantage of all the wellness resources available at UAMS, particularly the nursing retreat. This half-day session provides a good introduction to several self-care strategies that can help relieve stress and reduce burnout. Just go to gethealthy.uams.edu and click on “Caring for the Nurse.” Enter your information requested, and you will be contacted with detailed information about the next available session.

In reading about viral immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia (Kizzy) Corbett, one of the team members responsible for development of the Moderna vaccine at the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), I was struck by this

We are proud to recognizethe following nurses

for their accomplishmentsin pursing continued careerdevelopment by obtaining

advanced graduatedegrees or national

specialty certifications.

DEGREES

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

E5 – Melony Stokes, RN, CSM

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

NICU - Chanelle McCaster, RN

NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety

Medical/Surgical and WISLMichelle McFail, MSN, RNC-OB

Critical Care Registered Nurse H4 Trauma/SICU/CVICUStacy Pierce, BSN, CCRNToby Brown, BSN, CCRN

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OUTSTANDING AREA OF THE MONTH

December – E7 Med Oncology/Transplant Patient comments:

“Everyone was so kind, from the nurses, techs, housekeeping and even nutrition.”

“My stay was fantastic. Everyone from housekeeping to the doctors were very upbeat and went well above all of my expectations. They made a point to ensure my wife was given the same care as me.”

“I very much enjoyed my stay at the hospital. Everyone was extremely polite, caring and answered all my questions. I would very much recommend UAMS to other people.”

January – H6 – Hospital Medicine Patient comments:

“This was the greatest, yes, greatest hospital stay that I can say that I had. I was well taken care of.” “I was very impressed with everyone in the hospital. They were very professional, and the area was very clean. And, I really appreciate you!” “The staff there were very nice and friendly!”

quote, “I meditate, and I have a wellness coach and all of these things, but I didn’t feel myself -- until that Monday morning, at my 8 a.m. meditation -- really outside of my work. I came out of that 30 minutes thinking, ‘Wow, I didn’t think about anything regarding this vaccine response.’”

If the brilliant scientists who developed the vaccine that is providing protection for so many of us mediate and have a wellness coach, I think we should follow their lead and care for ourselves too.

If you still don’t feel the need for self-care, take two minutes and search for “Viola Davis Worth It” in your internet browser.

She’s right. You ARE worth it.

Take care of yourself. We need you.

Trenda Ray, PhD, RNChief Nursing Officer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Patient Care Services,Clinical Assistant Professor, UAMS College of Nursing

CNO Corner Continued

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This is Nursing ExcellenceRebekah Thacker, MNSc, RNC-NICDirector of Research, Excellence and Magnet Programs

Nursing is a profession driven to positively affect the outcomes of patients and the healthcare industry through quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research, and innovation. Our profession

is guided by standards of practice and a code of ethics rooted in the principles of compassion, collaboration, and critical thinking. As with other professions, nurses have the authority, accountability, and autonomy over nursing practice. In fact, in all 50 states, laws prohibit any member outside the licensed profession of nursing to control nursing practice (Porter-O’Grady, 2019).

One litmus test for nursing authority, accountability, and autonomy within a healthcare organization is shared governance. Nursing shared governance is the mechanism by which the organization supports and promotes decision-making by the nurses who ultimately operationalize the outcome of the decision (Guanci, 2018). It is the embodiment of the philosophy that nurses have the autonomy and accountability to make decisions about nursing practice and the care delivered to

the patients they serve. The design of a shared governance council promotes a multi-directional flow of information between direct care nurses, leadership, inter-professional teams, and the Chief Nursing Officer. While decision-making is entrusted to those in direct care roles, shared governance draws its strength from the guidance of transformational leaders who support the decision-making process by communicating the parameters and constraints of the situation and moving forward with the decisions made by the council. To use a naval analogy, nurses steer the ship while leadership charts the path. Shared governance is a core tenant of nursing excellence and is vital to the success of an organization’s achievements in high-quality care, excellent patient satisfaction, and increased nurse engagement.

UAMS shared governance councils include unit-based and organizational councils. Unit or clinic-based councils discuss unit/clinic specific issues or concerns related to specific patient populations. Organizational shared governance councils include the inpatient and ambulatory nursing councils, with newly elected council chairs Carol Brizzolara, BSN, CCRN, RNIV, from H4 and Brenda Willett, BSN, RN, from the Paracentesis Clinic. Representatives attend the monthly council meetings to discuss equipment and supply issues, quality initiatives, and concerns at the unit/clinic level. We are pleased to recognize and celebrate the work of UAMS nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the formation of the first APRN council at UAMS. A passionate desire to be involved in the decisions that affect their practice and profession led Crystal Marcussen, APRN, WHNP-BC, and Tesa Ivey, APRN, WHNP-BC, to work together with the Center for Nursing Excellence to establish this council.

Your voice and engagement are essential to achieving the mission of UAMS and advancing the profession of nursing. If you want to get involved in or understand more about nursing shared governance at UAMS, please email CenterforNursingExcellence@uams.edu.

Shared governance is a core tenant of nursing excellence

and is vital to the success of an organization’s achievements in high-quality care, excellent

patient satisfaction, and increased nurse engagement.

Gaunci, G. (2018, December 12). Shared governance: What it is and is not. Association for Nursing Professional Development. https://www.anpd.org/blog/shared-governance-what-it-is-and-is-not Porter-O’Grady, T. (2019) Principles for sustaining shared/professional governance in nursing. Nursing Management, 50(1), 36-41. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000550448.17375.28

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For 2021 we have chosen to focus on our National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG).

These goals were last revised in July 2020, and there were no revisions for 2021. We will be on the units to update the poster displays. These posters should serve as a quick and easy reference for our goals this year.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or need anything at all. We so appreciate all that you do to keep all of us safe and well.

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance (ARC)Matthew Mitchell, Director of Accreditation & Regulatory ComplianceShelley Young, Program Manager of Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance

HIPAA COMPLIANT

HIPAA Helpful HintsHeather Schmiegelow,HIPAA Campus Coordinator/UAMS Privacy Officer

HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of patients’ health information. UAMS requires all employees, students, faculty and staff to sign the UAMS Confidentiality Agreement and to work together to protect the confidentiality and security of patient information and other confidential information.

Listed below are a few helpful hints for us to focus on this month. 1. Check to make sure the encounter is

not marked private before releasing any information. If it is marked private, simply tell the visitor or caller you have no information about the patient. Do not share that the patient is at UAMS or the patient’s room number.

2. Be careful not to leave patient information at copy machines, fax machines, printers or in conference rooms.

3. When faxing information internally or externally, use an “official” UAMS cover sheet and confirm the recipient’s fax number and receipt of fax.

4. Do not post patient information on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, GroupMe, and Snapchat.

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The UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation (IDHI) Stroke Program delivers live, telemedicine-based neurology consultation in emergency departments across the state by connecting potential stroke patients with specialists who offer on-the-spot stroke diagnosis and treatment. Fifty-six sites in predominantly rural areas of the state currently participate in the program. The program also has a mission and responsibility to educate surrounding communities in rural areas about the symptoms of stroke. Community outreach has been difficult due to the pandemic, so our health education specialists have developed creative ways to reach community members through virtual avenues.

Earlier this year each hospital participating in the stroke program was challenged to raise stroke awareness in minority communities by explaining stroke risks for minorities and the stroke signs and symptoms. A heart-themed collage template was been provided for each site to use for posting selfies/photos while educating on stroke using the hashtag #BEFASTForMinorities and sharing the following information: Did you know? African Americans and Hispanics are at a higher risk for stroke than other races. Did you know? Women of African descent have a 50 percent greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than any other racial group. These same women also have a higher rate of obesity and diabetes, which puts this population at a higher risk for heart disease.

The participating Stroke Program hospitals are competing with each other to see who receives the most social media likes, shares and interactions. Pictured is the collage designed with selfies of the IDHI Stroke Program nurses, educators and staff.

Please visit our website at arsaves.uams.edu/stroke-warning-signs for BE FAST information so you can recognize the most common symptoms of stroke and share with your friends and family. Knowing the stroke signs can save a life!

Lori R Berry, MNSc, RN, CNOROlivia Wilson, MS, CHESErin Wells, BS, CHES

Stroke Program

Balance Sudden loss of balance

Eye Change in vision in one or both eyes

Face Facial droop or uneven smile

Speech Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding

Arm Arm numbness or arm weakness

Time Call 911 and get to the hospital immediately

Is it a Stroke? CALL 911!Every Minute Counts

Stroke is an Emergency

BE FAST

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Stroke Program

Stroke Program

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We hope our readers enjoy getting to know more about our Chief of Staff - Michael Manley, MNSc, RN, who is the first nurse to hold this position in the Chancellor’s office.

1. What is your education background? I always loved science fairs and focusing on projects

related to medical topics at an early age -- nerd alert! So, it was no surprise that I began working as a phlebotomist right out of high school and soon became an expert in ‘sticking’ anything before pursuing my degree in Biology. I also had many opportunities to work in various areas of the hospital’s environment, being employed as an orderly in the Emergency Department, Operating Room and Pathology. These work experiences exposed me to many aspects of nursing and led me to pursue a career in nursing. I obtained both my BSN and MNSc from the UAMS College of Nursing.

2. Nursing journey/career path? My first nursing job was at Arkansas Children’s Hospital working as an RN in the Neonatal unit. I had previously worked in an adult Surgical ICU, Emergency Department, and Pediatric ICU during nursing school, and this gave me a great entry point into working as an organ procurement coordinator for the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA). After three years, I was appointed as the executive director, and I worked there for 10 years before joining Team UAMS. I was ready for a change and was also looking forward to serving as the director of outreach and government relations for the UAMS Center for Distance Health. I traveled statewide while visiting many hospitals and meeting with legislators when our telemedicine program was implemented. Mixing my clinical knowledge with government relations was exciting!

3. Why the Chief of Staff position? I became attracted to pursuing opportunities in leadership and government relations when I was

enrolled in nursing school. I served as president of the Arkansas Student Nurses Association and was on the board of directors for the National Student Nurses Association. I am most effective when I follow my personal mission “to help others get across their finish line!” I love helping others reach their goals, and I always fall back to my nursing core of supporting patients and families to reach their highest level of healthcare outcomes.

4. What does a Chief of Staff do? The main areas of responsibility focus on project management, budget, government relations, and coordinating communication between the Chancellor and our senior leadership team on a day-to-day basis. I also represent the Chancellor when he is unable to be in two places at once. Our senior leadership team consists of Dr. Stephen Mette, chief executive officer; Stephanie Gardner, provost; Amanda George, chief financial officer; Mark Hagemeier, general counsel/compliance; Dr. Christopher Westfall, dean – College of Medicine; Danielle Lombard-Simms, chief human resources officer; and Christina Clark, chief operating officer.

5. What is something interesting about you that most people do not know? I was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic a little over 10 years ago. I knew I needed to make a difference, so I have been very involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), raising money and serving on their board. This year I am planning an 80-mile fund-raising hiking expedition in Nepal from the city of Lukla to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest. I do all the work, and all contributors are kept abreast via social media of our team’s training regimen, trip preparations, etc., as well as receiving daily updates when our hike “goes live.”

6. Any personal thoughts to share? I have been married for 29 and a half years to my wife, who is a pediatrician. We have two children ages 27 and 23. Our son lives in Fayetteville and is a food scientist. Our daughter is completing her graduate degree as a child life specialist thru the College of Charleston in South Carolina and plans to return to Little Rock to start her healthcare journey.

Susan Erickson, MNSc, RNSenior Nurse Recruiter

Get to Know Our New UAMS Chief of Staff

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Recognition and Retention CenterSusan Erickson, MNSc, RNSenior Nurse Recruiter

The UAMS Nurses Rock Committee is looking for UAMS nurses to join us in planning activities for our 2021 Nurses Month, which is themed “Nurses Make a Difference.” The American Nurses Association is extending the Year of the Nurse and Nurse Midwife into 2021 and building on the increased visibility of nurses’ contributions impacting the health and well-being of our communities. The month-long celebration will include four weeks focused on different topics -- self-care, recognition, professional development, and community engagement.

It’s time to start planning for Nurses Month!

please email NurseRecruitment@uams.edu and include your name, title, area and cell number to receive a calendar invite. We look forward to hearing from you. #GoNursing #UAMSNursesRock #NursesMakeaDifference

If you are interested in helping plan activities to honor and celebrate UAMS Nurses:Nurses

Make a Difference.

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PHYSICAL

SOCIAL

ENVI

RONMENTAL

OCC

UPATIONAL

SPIRITUAL

FINANCIAL

EMOTIONAL

INTE

LLECTUAL

GET HEALTHYUAMS

Thanks to a grant from the Chancellor’s Circle, UAMS is offering monthly half-day wellness retreats to UAMS nurses. Each session includes sessions on yoga and movement, mindfulness and grati-tude, nutrition and journaling. To learn more visit gethealthy.uams.edu and

look for “Caring for the Nurse.” After you complete the online application, you will receive details about available upcoming session. This short video provides more information about what to expect at the retreats.

Wellness Retreat for UAMS Nurses

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UAMS is on a mission to become a High Reliability Organization (HRO), which means every person in our organization is preoccupied with patient safety and preventing harm. In 2019, UAMS embarked on campus-wide training in error prevention, using tools and behaviors known to promote safety and reduce the risk of harm. These behaviors help us zero in on safety, because we CARE:

High-Reliability and Patient Safety

Great Catch: Practice NR.CP.1.149 on Medication Administration by Nursing Staff requires nurses to scan each medication at the patient’s bedside before administration. The language is specific to scanning “each medication” and does not give permission to

scan barcodes on labels affixed to the exterior of the dispensing bags, which are included as part of the work

flow processes in pharmacy dispensing.

In this circumstance, the patient had a written order for Levetiracetam 750mg, 2 Tablets BID scheduled for administration. Kati requested the medication from Inpatient Pharmacy. Upon receipt, the clear plastic bag included an affixed label entitled Levetiracetam 750mg, 2 Tablets BID and accompanying barcode on its exterior. Kati knew best practice required her to open the bag and read the label directly on the medication packaging in order to ensure the correct medication had been received. On inspection, Kati discovered she had mistakenly received Levothyroxine Sodium 175mcg Tablets in a bag labeled as Levetiracetam. If Kati had scanned the barcode on the exterior packaging, the system would have given the green light for administration of the medication, resulting in a medication error. However, Kati knew she must open the bag, remove the contents, inspect the labeling on the actual medication packaging, and only then scan the barcode prior to administration. Kati relied upon the Error Prevention Tool of Know Why & Comply to prevent her patient from receiving an unintended thyroid hormone medication and ensured her patient received the appropriate anticonvulsant medication ordered to control seizure activity.

Connie Gunter, BSN, RN, Patient Safety Coordinator

• Communicate Clearly• Act on Concerns• Respect, Reflect, Remind• Engage in Excellence

please email NurseRecruitment@uams.edu and include your name, title, area and cell number to receive a calendar invite. We look forward to hearing from you. #GoNursing #UAMSNursesRock #NursesMakeaDifference

If you are interested in helping plan activities to honor and celebrate UAMS Nurses:

Speak Upfor Patient SafetyIt’s Everyone’s RESPONSIBILITY

Know Why & Comply is a habit of the mind that ensures that our choices are compliant with best practice. Compliance has always been a cornerstone of safety culture. Following a policy or protocol without understanding the rationale behind the written rule is a recipe for patient harm.

Use Know Why & Comply when making choices based on policy, protocol, and professional practice. Think about the rule and the reasons the rule exists. Apply a questioning attitude. If a rule doesn’t make sense, embrace a questioning attitude and reach out to your area sources of truth, like your APP or CSM or event an RN IV or Team Lead on your unit. Understanding the rationale behind best practice protocols and policies increases compliance and decreases patient harm events.

Please see the Good Catch below for an example of a situation in which Kati Walker, Float Pool RN utilized Know Why & Comply to prevent a patient harm from occurring on F9 during a medication administration.

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Spotlight – EndoscopyPatrick Houser, BSN, RN, Perioperative Service, CSM

UAMS Endoscopy has 19 full-time staff and five PRN employees to assist as needed. There are six procedure rooms where we perform an average of 44 procedures a day. In addition, we also travel to the ICU, OR and Emergency Department to perform bedside procedures. Some of these procedures include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), colonoscopy, manometry, and pill cameras (capsules). Additional pulmonary procedures performed include bronchoscopy, pleurodesis, thoracentesis, bronchial EBUS, VERAN, tracheostomy, TTNA, indwelling pleural catheter, tracheal dilation, stent placement, tumor ablation, endo bronchial valve placement, and bronchial alveolar lavage.

Below are a few descriptions of procedures that take place in the Endoscopy Lab:

• Manometry does Ph pressures of the esophagus, testing for achalasia is done during esophageal manometry, and esophageal spasms can be noted with these tests and anal manometries.

• Pill cameras (capsules) look for a small bowel bleed.

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (esophageal strictures, Celiac Plexus Block, Barretts, RFA, varices, gastric ulcers, Dysphagia, H-Pylori, PEG Tubes, G-Poem, and POEM)

• EUS (pancreatic mass, liver mass, gallstones, pancreatic cysts and Fiducial Marking Placement, etc.)

• ERCP (bile duct issues, cannulation, incising the bile duct, sweeping out debris and stones, placing stents and glue

• Colonoscopy (screenings for polyps that could cause cancer, diverticula, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, colonic stents, etc.)

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Endoscopy nurses generally work a 10-hour day. We arrive between 0630 and 0730 and are assigned one of four roles. These include pre-op, PACU, moderate sedation or procedure tech nurse. Your assigned role for the day will drastically dictate what your day will look like. The variation is great, so you never get bored with any one routine.

In pre-op and PACU we prep for all the cases that come through the lab. This includes general and advanced GI cases as well as pulmonology. As a result, vast knowledge is required in order to calm nerves in pre-op as well as provide thorough discharge teaching and instruction in PACU. The pre-op and PACU roles are fast paced with high patient turnover. You have to be good with IVs and a fast documenter to be successful in those areas. The PACU nurse receives patients who have received moderate sedation and general anesthesia. As a result, critical assessment skills are essential. Patients always have many questions post-

procedure. Again, having a thorough understanding of the procedures and exams helps prepare patients for the next steps on their journey to health. We also explain discharge instructions to families in order to ensure that post-anesthesia patients leave in good hands.

The moderate sedation and tech roles take place in one of our six labs. The moderate sedation nurse, in conjunction with proceduralist physician, administers moderate sedation to ensure safe and comfortable sedation for the patient’s procedure. The moderate sedation nurse monitors vital signs and patient comfort and administers sedation according to need. No two patients are alike. You really become familiar with sedation drugs and how they affect different patient populations.

The nurse serving as the tech works directly with the proceduralist. You set up the fields, prepare the scopes and other materials and assist in performing the procedure. It is a real hands-on role. As the RN tech, you really get to be part of the procedural team, assisting with scope manipulation, deployment of tools and retrieving specimens. It is very gratifying. When working in an endo lab, you will perform anywhere between five and ten cases in a day.

The endoscopy nurse also takes call several times a month. We have two call teams which are always available. We go to the ED, ICU, OR and wherever necessary. After being an endoscopy nurse, you will never be amazed at the situations people get themselves into. It is challenging, but gratifying to be able to help in these dire circumstances 24 hours a day.

Marilyn Caldwell, BSN, RN Patrick Howser, BSN, RN

A DAY IN THE LIFE of an Endoscopy Nurse Community

Involvement

Marilyn Caldwell BSN, RNIn 2020, Endoscopy chose to support the UAMS Hospital Auxiliary by donating blankets. We knew they would find the perfect way to use these for our patients who need to keep warm in the winter.

Endoscopy staff also recognized a need within our own department. We wanted to give back to a staff member who has children and was struggling during the Christmas season. We chose to “adopt” one of our own staff members and presented her with $1,600 for her and her children this past Christmas.

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The DAISY Foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The nursing care Patrick received when hospitalized profoundly touched his family. There are now more than 4,500

healthcare facilities and schools of nursing in 29 countries that are committed to honoring their nurses with the DAISY Award. Read more about why they started the DAISY Foundation.

Please join the Center for Nursing Excellence in congratulating the following DAISY of the month winners:

October Winner – Neely Ragsdell Neely works in Medical Specialties on F6 and was nominated by two co-workers. The nominations below reflects how Neely impacted their lives in a very special way.

Nomination 1:

“This is long overdue, but I would like to commend and thank RN Neely Ragsdell for the excellent care she has provided to my patients since she started on F6.

Ms. Ragsdell has been an exemplary nurse; she is kind, compassionate and very efficient. She goes beyond her duties when she spends more time with sicker patients and communicates frequently with patients and families to reassure them and give them comfort.

On one of many occasions one of my patients said he was overwhelmed by a metastatic cancer diagnosis and was ready to leave the hospital because he felt frightened and lonely. Ms. Ragsdell, despite being on night shift, spent time with the patient and explained to him what the plan was and answered his questions. She was a source of comfort to someone in distress and went beyond her “required duties” and provided care and comfort.

I am looking forward to many years of working alongside Ms. Ragsdell and hope that she continues to provide this excellent care to all my patients.“

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem

Nomination 2:

A patient reports Neely to be one of the best, top-notch nurses that he’s ever encountered here at UAMS, judging from his multiple hospitalizations on various units. He had a recent possible diagnosis of cancer and none of his family was here to help him through it. He said Neely went above and beyond with her compassion and her devotion of time to listen and talk with him about his situation. He relayed to me that she made a huge difference in his life and his outlook on his prognosis. In addition to positive patient reports, I’ve witnessed how helpful and supportive she is to her co-workers and other staff. In the words of the patient who talked with me about Neely, he said “I can’t say enough good about Neely. Just do yourself a favor and don’t let her get away.” Please accept this nomination and consider her for the prestigious DAISY Award for her consistent positive treatment and care toward her patients and also her co-workers.

October Winner – Neely Ragsdell Lauren works in Perioperative Care in the Main PACU and was nominated by a patient’s family member. The nomination below reflects how Lauren impacted their life in a very special way.

““My 92-year-old mother had surgery late this afternoon at UAMS and was fortunate to have Lauren Taylor as her nurse in recovery. Lauren called me directly a number of times during a period that my mother was delirious, upset, and confused in an attempt to learn how to best calm her down. She was so caring and told me she was keeping my mother with her a bit longer so that Mom would receive her focused attention.

Clearly, Lauren went above and beyond what many would have done in a similar situation. She is an extraordinary nurse and, more importantly, a very special human being. My family and I are truly grateful for her service at a difficult time.”

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The BEE Award (Being Exceptional Every Day) honors non-licensed staff who provide exceptional care for patients and families.

Please join the Center for Nursing Excellence in congratulating the following BEE Award winners:

October Winner – Travis Ivy Travis is a Patient Services Associate with the Float Pool and was nominated by patient. The following is the story of how Travis impacted their life in a way that they will never forget.

“Travis is warm-hearted, always friendly, and eager to help. When he earns CARE coins, he enjoys ‘paying it forward’ by buying something for someone in the line behind him. Today his generous spirit led him to go the extra mile.

This afternoon I observed Travis go out of his way to help a disabled veteran. Travis was working in the discharge lounge and had stepped out to the lobby when he noticed something that seemed a little odd. He saw a man get off the elevator in a power chair and begin to ride aimlessly around the lobby. Travis approached the man and asked if he needed help. The man had been to a clinic for an outpatient procedure but now did not know where to catch his ride back to the Veterans’ Home. Because the man had some issues with short-term memory, he could not remember phone numbers or the names of any contact people. Travis accompanied the man to both the inpatient and outpatient pick up areas looking for his ride, without success. When the man was able to remember a phone number for his daughter, Travis used multiple phones to call and text the number but had no luck reaching anyone. Then the man, who obviously could not walk well because he was using a power chair, asked to use the restroom. Travis assessed the safety risk and enlisted the help of an ADON passing by to help with the ride situation and to help assist the man to the restroom safely. Ultimately, Travis’ persistence paid off, and the man’s driver was located in a second floor waiting area. Without Travis’s quick willingness to help and his dedication to the task at hand, there is no telling how long this man might have wandered aimlessly. I am grateful for Travis’ willingness to get involved and do the right thing, even for a patient who was not assigned to his work area.”

November Winner – Yolanda Adams Yolanda is a Patient Care Technician on the Stem Cell Transplant/MIRT unit and was nominated by a patient. The story below shows how Yolanda impacted their life in a way that they will never forget.

“I am a transplant patient at the UAMS Myeloma Center in Little Rock, Ark. I am being treated for Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma. What a great hospital and a great staff!

This is to tell you about an unbelievable tech named Yolanda Adams. What an absolute joy to be around her. She is an angel. She has treated me with Dignity, Grace and Love.

She has lifted my spirits at a very difficult time in life, and I appreciate her caring for me so much.

You need more people like her in your hospital. If I didn’t know better, she was sent to me from Heaven. Such a Gift from God.”

Because a DAISY can’t survive without a BEE and a BEE can’t survive without a DAISY

To nominate a deserving DAISY or BEE please go to nurses.UAMS.edu.

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Breunna Lewis of Little Rock, 25, died on Jan. 24, 2021. She was employed by UAMS as a medical assistant in Nursing Services. A home going celebration was held February 6, 2021, at Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock. She will certainly be missed at UAMS.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF A NURSE

We thank you, dear friend,For the comfort you gave,The hands that were held,

The tears wiped away.The joy and the smiles

Shared with each person you saw,

The hope for the hopelessThe healing touch

shared with all.You gave of yourself, a great

gift, we say,We shall miss you,

each in our own way.

—Jana McConnell, MNSc, RN

Breunna Lewis

I am only one: but stillI AM ONE

I cannot do everything:But still I can do something.

And Because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that

I CAN DO.”E.E. Hale, American Writer

Yvonne was born to the late Joseph and Thelma Brown on February 21, 1956 in Ventura County, Calif.

Yvonne had three children, Gregory Wells Jr, Adrienne Nixon, and Brahiem Wells, through her union with the late Gregory Wells Sr. She attended Hueneme High School, and later graduated from Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, N.J.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, sister, aunt and friend, Yvonne was a faithful and knowledgeable medical professional. Her career spanned many years, and she really enjoyed her job at UAMS.

Yvonne was a dedicated and caring person, with a loving and generous heart. Throughout her entire life, Yvonne held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her.

Yvonne Renae Brown

In Remembrance of a Nurse

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NOMINATING A NURSE IS EASY:Go to nurses.uams.edu/recognition/awards for award guidelines and online appliciation forms, or ssccaann tthhee QQRR ccooddee to go to the awards page.

The deadline to receive the application and support information is

TThhuurrssday, April 1155.NOTE: Nominations

will not be accepted after this date.

2019 award recipients pictured above (from left) Michele Hudnall, RN – Outstanding Community Service Award; Gwen Price, RN, CSM – Betty Casali Transformational Leadership; D’Anna Williams, RN, APP – Excellence in Nursing Education Award; Jessie Daniel, RN – Advancement of Nursing Practice Award.

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 20211 AWARDS in the Following Categories/Specialties:

Betty Casali Transformational Leadership

Advancement of Nursing Practice

Excellence in Nursing Education

Outstanding Community Service

2019 Award

Recipients

9TH ANNUALPPRROOFFEESSSSIIOONNAALL NURSIINNGG AWARDS 20211

Excellence in Advanced Practice (APRNs which include CNM, CNS, CRNA, and NP)

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The accelerated RN to BSN or RN to BSN/MNSc program is designed for students who:

■ Graduated from an NLN accredited or Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved nursing program

■ Hold a current unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license ■ For RN to BSN, hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for eligibility ■ For RN to BSN/MNSc, hold a cumulative GPA of 2.85 or above and have all 58 hours of

prerequisites completed for eligibility ■ Students must complete a Health Assessment course

For more information visit nurses.UAMS.edu.

The Nursing Newsletter is a publication of the Center for Nursing Excellence.

If you would like to submit an article or share a nursing story,

please email: centerfornursingexcellence@uams.edu

Articles for the April 2021 issue are due by March 19Articles received after the due date will be included in a future issue.

If you are not a UAMS employee and would like to receive the

Nursing Newsletter, please email your request to: centerfornursingexcellence@uams.edu