JUly 2019

my journey into

Dorothy Bybee, RN, MSN/MBA-HC, NEA-BC VICE PRESIDENT OF CARE SERVICES/CHIEF NURSING OFFICER

Dorothy Bybee has always been drawn to larger organizations. She became the vice attend conferences,” she said. “We are nursing because she likes how it blends president of patient care services/chief also encouraged to be innovative and our science with the art of caring. That’s why nursing officer at Columbus Community ideas are well received. As I have needed she planned on going into the career after (CCH) in April 2017. new positions and looked at new service high school – but life took her in a different lines, CCH has been supportive.” direction. In this position, Bybee oversees nursing operations in several areas of the hospital, Bybee cited the hospital’s new patient “I started with nursing in mind out of including, inpatient, outpatient, surgery, navigation program that better educates and high school and got sidetracked with , home health, prepares for cancer treatment, as marriage and children,” she said. medical/surgical, obstetrics and wound a great example of new positions that have changed the lives of CCH’s patients. But Bybee hadn’t forgotten her high school care. dream. When her family moved closer to She also oversees the pharmacy, respiratory She is happy to have been part of bringing “jumped at the a nursing program, she therapy, case management, quality, this new service line to the community and chance with three kids in tow.” credentialing, risk management, regulatory she’s happy she ended up in the field. In addition to allowing her to help Soon after completing her nursing program, requirements, social work and the hospital’s interpreters. patients, a career in health care, and nursing Bybee became a charge nurse in an inten- in particular, offers Bybee plenty of variety. sive care unit and then a house supervisor Bybee said that CCH and its staff have been “Nursing is very versatile. If nurses want a – a job she loved. very welcoming and supportive of her from new challenge, they can always try a new “Once I started in nursing, I always the very beginning. role or type of nursing,” she said. “I love wanted to be in leadership,” she said. “I had an unusual orientation, as Linda the fact that we have many opportunities With this goal in mind, over the years, Walline, the chief nurse whose position I in nursing. If nursing is not for you though, Bybee continued her education by earning a accepted, was still here,” she said. “She there are a myriad of different roles in master’s degree in nursing and a master’s was wonderful to introduce me to both health care: ultrasound, physical therapy, degree in business administration with an hospital and community individuals.” social work and the list goes on.” emphasis in health care. She is also After receiving a thorough orientation from For more information on Bybee and the certified as nurse executive advanced. Walline, Bybee was able to learn even more health care opportunities available at CCH, This education led Bybee to a variety of by attending conferences. visit www.columbushosp.org. leadership positions. During her health care “CCH is very supportive of all employees career, she has managed small and especially myself when it comes to and served as an assistant chief nurse at having the opportunity to learn and

Columbus Community Hospital • 4600 38th Street • Columbus, NE 68602-1800 • 402-564-7118 • www.columbushosp.org