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2ECRUITER3HOWCASE &EBRUARY )NFORMATIONFORTHE/KLAHOMA.URSING(EALTH#ARE0ROFESSIONAL WWWOKNURSINGTIMESCOM 6OL)SSUE 0UBLISHED7EEKLY,OCALLY/WNEDAND/PERATEDBY-ETRO0UBLISHING,,# Recovery...… Nurses to You Can converge at capitol Bank BY"OBBY!NDERSON 3TAFF7RITER How will Oklahoma close what is becoming a reoccuring funding deficit to public services? How will we ensure funding for public and higher education so students who want to pursue a career in the medical field will be prepared? These questions and others will be posed to On It! Oklahoma’s gubernatorial candidates and legislators when the Oklahoma Nurses Association hosts its annual Nurses Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, February 27. ONA President Jane Nelson says that for the first time the association will host a roundtable of Oklahoma’s candidates for governor so nurses can find out important information. Invitations have been sent to candidates asking for their attendance or to send a representative. One week prior to the event, Nelson said the campaigns of Drew Edmondson, Kevin Stitt, Mick Cornett, Connie Johnson and Gary Jones have all committed to coming to the roundtable. The campaigns of Todd Lamb, Gary Richardson Donna Banks, RN takes pride in working at AllianceHealth Deaconess Hospital in the Rehabilitation and Dan Fisher were still undecided about sending Unit. Full of love, compassion and physical therapy, the patients are on the road to recovery, one a representative. step at a time. Nelson explained the panel will be held in a talk show format with questions coming from the BY6ICKIE*ENKINS 3TAFF7RITER I realize that this kind soul is Donna Banks, RN. audience. With an outstretched arm and a handshake, I hear, “We will be asking questions regarding nursing As I enter Alliance Deaconess Hospital, I am “Hi, I’m Donna Banks. It is nice to meet you. I practice, health care and how they plan to address greeted with a smile and “How may I help you?” am the one you are to interview.” those issues and others,” Nelson said, noting the from the volunteer at the information desk. “I The Rehabilitation Unit is dedicated to helping topic of filling the budget hole will be key. am on my way to the Rehabilitation Unit,” I tell people rebuild their lives after illness and injury. “Questions (will be asked) that go to the heart of her. “Third floor,” she replies, “the elevator is right This is where they believe that recovery encompasses it like if we don’t have money for education how around the corner.” both mind and body, so the comprehensive do we insure students will graduate so they can At the nurse’s station, I see a nurse interacting services address both the mental and physical pursue degrees, especially in nursing?” with a patient in a wheelchair. With a gentleness aspects of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation team ONA encourages all Nurses and Nursing in her voice, I hear the nurse tell the patient, ‘your includes knowledgeable, caring professionals who are Students to get involved in the legislative process physical therapist with be here in 5 minutes. I’ll be dedicated to providing quality care and support. by attending Nurses Day at the Capitol. The right here with you until she arrives,’ as she places “How long have you been a nurse?” I ask day begins with an informational session held at her hand on the patient’s shoulder. It is then that Donna. “Let’s see, it has been about 21 years now,” 3EE2%#/6%290AGE 3EE#!0)4/,0AGE 0AGE&EBRUARY /KLAHOMAS.URSING4IMES #!0)4/, #ONTINUEDFROM0AGE the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, followed by an opportunity to go to the Capitol and talk with legislators. You will have the opportunity to: *Hear legislative experts, legislators and ONA’s Lobbyist. *Talk with legislators concerning the issues vital to ONA and the nursing profession. *Increase your awareness of the role nurses play in the political arena. *Voice your concerns regarding legislation affecting nursing practice, patient safety, preventive care and health education as well as Oklahoma’s health status. The agenda for this year’s event begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event and an opening welcome at 8:30 a.m. A few minutes later the panel of gubernatorial candidates addressing the future of Oklahoma’s health will begin. “There probably won’t ever be another another forum quite like this,” Nelson said. Oklahoma Nurses will converge on the state capitol Tuesday, February 27 for their annual Day at the Capitol A break to visit exhibitors will including a special roundtable discussion with Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates. follow and then a 10:15 a.m. want to know what our issues and learning activity session detailing the legislative priorities are,” Nelson said. 2%!#(/6%2 legislative process will be offered. “(Legislators) are asking us questions /KLAHOMAS ONA Lobbyist Vickie White about our practice and it’s really 2.S,0.S Rankin will address the group on been an open dialogue with nurses.” .URSING4IMES how they can make a differnence by You can register online at 7)4(!3).',%!$ advocating for their profession at the OKLAHOMANURSES.ORG or call capitol. 405-840-3476 for more information. $)')4!, /NE3TOP Beginning at 1 p.m. attendees will visit with legislators and hear bills in %05",)#!4)/. the House and Senate chambers. &!#%"//+ 2ECRUITING Nelson said the event typically draws some 500 attendees including */""/!2$ nursing students and faculty. “What comes out of it is an 7%"3)4% important opportunity to engage with gubernatorial candidates … that /KLAHOMAS.URSING4IMES&EBRUARY 0AGE going to do, following through with “I love coming to work and seeing 2%#/6%29 your word. That is so important.” the patients. We have some sweet #ONTINUEDFROM0AGE “In your opinion, what makes moments and some not so sweet she replies. “Gosh, I guess that is a a good nurse?” I ask. With a smile moments and that is when I can get 3%26).'-/2%4(!. long time,” she adds with a smile. “I and a quick answer, Donna says, overwhelmed. Even with the chaos went to school in Senatobia, Mississippi “I would say they would have to that occurs sometimes, the job is 2.S!.$,0.S and became a nurse. I have enjoyed be honest, sincere and compassionate. well worth it for that special reward. my job ever since and I can’t see They would have to really care about Also, we all get along so well around myself doing anything else. I just love other people, taking care of them as here. My job is very gratifying in %6%297%%+ it!” though they were a part of their own many ways.” “Why did you choose nursing as family.” Whether you are recovering from !.$./7 a career?” I ask. “Well, it was shortly When I asked Donna what her a broken bone, muscle injury or after I got married that my husband best quality was, she told me that it surgery, regaining mobility, strength, fell and broke his back. It was was compassion. It was obvious to flexibility and endurance are a key 7)4(/6%2 partially due to me caring for him see that she had displayed plenty of part of your recovery. Every individual and financial reasons that I was his it in the short time I was there. has different goals and expectations caregiver. I had a real desire for When Donna is not at work, in recovery, so our rehabilitation &/,,/7%23/. ‘caring.’ It was then I knew that I she enjoys spending time with specialists provide a customized plan wanted to become a nurse, taking her husband and two grown sons. that incorporates the unique goals &!#%"//+ care of others. I remember when I Her hobbies include quilting and and abilities of each person, giving was a little girl, I just knew I would refinishing furniture. “I’m not the specialized services to assist patients grow up to be an elementary school best at either hobby but I enjoy both after cancer, heart attack or brain ,ETUSlNDYOURNEXT teacher but my husband changed of them. It is very relaxing.” She injury. that,” she replied with a laugh. “Also, adds with a laugh. Alliance Health Deaconess Hospital TEAMMEMBER my older sister had gone into nursing “I have one last question for is full of love and compassion. As a year before so she had an influence you Donna,” I continue. “What is far as recovery goes, you can bank on my life too.” the greatest reward about your job?’ on it! 02).4 */"!,%243 Asking Donna what advice she would give to someone if they were &!#%"//+ */""/!2$ to enter the medical field, she replied, “I would tell them to keep their eyes wide open, be sincere in their heart 7%"3)4% and give sincerity to the patients, always doing what you say you are 0AGE&EBRUARY /KLAHOMAS.URSING4IMES /KLAHOMAS.URSING4IMES&EBRUARY 0AGE Oklahoma State St. Anthony Physicians Group Department of Health Welcomes Tiffani Lowell, Confirms Measles Case MSN, APRN, FNP-C to St. The Oklahoma State Department Department (405-321-4048 ext. 260), Anthony Physicians Choctaw of Health (OSDH) and the Cleveland their local county health department County Health Department are o r t he O S D H e p ide m io lo g i s t- o n - c a l l at St. Anthony Physicians investigating a confirmed case of 800-234-5963 (24/7/365 availability). Group is pleased to welcome measles in Norman located in Persons who are susceptible to Cleveland County. This is the first measles usually develop symptoms Tiffani Lowell, MSN, APRN, confirmed case in Oklahoma since about 10 days after exposure with FNP-C to St.