A sense of purpose What it means to be a nurse Volume 2 Featuring the nurses of Northwell Health Welcome Becoming a nurse extends far beyond a career choice; for many, it truly is a calling. Every day we are reminded of the Truly Compassionate care that sets the nursing staff at Northwell Health apart. These extraordinary people defi ne what it means to go beyond the call of duty of patient care, providing support for not only physical, but emotional traumas. At a patient’s greatest time of need, our nurses are there to hold a hand, to listen, to Michael J. Dowling understand. They share in the triumphs and tears, the gratitude President and chief and grief. Caring runs through everything they do. It’s who they executive officer are. And it is inspired from deep within the heart of a nurse. While the nurses featured in the following pages each have their own story, they have a common thread that ties them together. They refl ect a moment — beautiful, tragic, uplifting — that sparked the realization that nursing was what they were meant to do. It is our greatest hope that as you read these stories, you remember your own special moment and carry it with you throughout your career. Maureen White, RN Senior vice president and chief nurse executive 3 “ I’m grateful that I have the peace that God gives me and I can use it to help people.” 4 Renee Gilchrist, RN CARDIOTHORACIC UNIT • NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL orthwell is the rare kind of place that encourages you to pursue your passions. Whether you are interested in getting out into the community, or helping patients at the bedside, you can get involved in what is important to you. I’ve found so many Nopportunities here, and Northwell backs you up and encourage you to follow those dreams. “One accomplishment I’m very proud of — my designation as Skin Champion — was borne out of concern for our patients. It started with an observation that many of our patients were suffering from pressure ulcers after open-heart surgery. We felt that we weren’t able to help as much as we wanted to. We approached the director of wound care, and she told us, ‘‘‘whatever you want to do, we’ll support it.’ Because of the concern that was expressed, I was able to go forward, working with the patients and various products, and leading my coworkers who I worked with. Most importantly, we were able to help many people by decreasing pressure ulcers on patients’ heels. And that’s just one of the research projects we’ve had. “Cardiothoracic surgery has evolved over the last 10 years. Patients are older, and they get a lot of anxiety. Compassion is a superpower. If you love people, and you’re there for them, even just to hold their hand, sometimes their blood pressure will go down, their need for more medication goes down. It’s almost like a holistic approach to nursing, and I try to apply this each time I interact with patients.” 5 Teuta Berisha, RN LABOR AND DELIVERY • LENOX HILL HOSPITAL hen I was in high school, I volunteered with a program called Visiting the Elderly. I was deeply impacted by being able to provide care to this vulnerable population where they feel most comfortable — at home. That’s when I Wrealized this was my calling. Not long after, I was the first person in my immediate family to graduate from college. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015 and I am currently in the process of pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Education at Long Island University. “Part of the nursing education program provided the students with an opportunity to gain clinical exposure in a variety of healthcare settings and nursing specialties. Of all the clinical rotations assigned, I enjoyed my ‘‘time in maternal-child health most of all. As a student, I started working part-time as a nursing assistant in the Labor and Delivery unit at Lenox Hill Hospital. Working in the high-risk obstetric unit solidified my decision to become a labor and delivery nurse. After becoming a licensed registered nurse, I applied to work in the labor and delivery department. “I love working with the patient population and staff in the high-acuity, fast-paced environment. The story of one particular delivery has stayed with me. After the baby was delivered, the umbilical cord became detached from the placenta and was still inside of the mother. A manual attempt to remove the placenta was unsuccessful, and a retained placenta puts the mother at risk for major blood loss, which could be life-threatening. The patient was brought to the operating room for an emergency surgical procedure — a dilation and curettage (D&C) to rectify the problem. Everyone worked seamlessly together to ensure effective, efficient and safe patient care. It was beautiful! The team performed like a well-orchestrated symphony. Being a part of such a remarkable team is what makes my career most rewarding of all.” 6 “ I remember when I realized nursing was my calling.” 7 “ Everyone wants to feel like they mattered and to know that someone cared.” 8 Caroline Orlando, RN HOSPICE INN • HOSPICE CARE NETWORK cared for a young woman who was dying of ovarian cancer. She was an incredibly positive person despite what she was dealing with. I got to spend time with her, sit with her and talk to her, and the things she said really impacted me. She said she hoped that someone she had met in Iher personal or professional life would remember her, and for something good. It’s a simple statement, but so powerful. We never know what seemingly small interaction can impact another person’s life in a profound way. I think of her often, and I try to use her sentiments in my practice and daily life. “We had another patient with us for quite a while. Her brother would come stay here with her, and the staff here became their surrogate family. This ‘‘woman had been bedbound for many, many months and couldn’t leave her room. She made a goal to get outside, so the first step was to get her out of bed, and with the help of the aides we got her on a stretcher so she could lay on the patio. This was a huge deal for her. As time went on, we kept building on her progress and it sparked her spirit. With the consent of the medical team, she got to the point where she could stand for a few seconds, and eventually she could be in a wheelchair. She told us that she dreamt of seeing the ocean again, so I told our medical director and he worked with our CEO to arrange transport to the local docks so she could see the bay. I accompanied them that day, and she was so grateful, and her brother expressed what a huge milestone it was for her. She was able to forget her illness and not feel like a patient. The work that we do can be so emotionally difficult sometimes, but one of the really special things about Hospice is that we all work together to make things like this happen.” 9 Doreen Mather, ADN ADMINISTRATION • GLEN COVE HOSPITAL ’m an Assistant Director of Nursing and recently I’ve been working in a new department in the office of Patient and Customer Experience. Through initiatives and improving processes, we work on enhancing the experience our patients have during their time with us. A few years Iago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after two years of treatment I knew firsthand how important it is to have a positive patient experience. Working in this department is my way of supporting the wonderful hospital administration and employees who emotionally supported me throughout my own journey. “I taught my staff that being truly compassionate is important – often in stressful situations we forget a person’s feelings while focusing on the ‘‘emergency. One night while I was supervising, a patient came into the ER in respiratory distress. While she was being treated, I focused on the patient’s emotional needs by providing words of support and encouragement. I checked in on the patient after she had been intubated and spent time with her, holding her hand and talking to her. Once she was stable I saw her family, and it turned out that she was a PCA (Patient Care Associate) that worked at Glen Cove for nearly 30 years! A few weeks later while doing rounds, I ran into her and she hugged me. I’ll never forget — it was a real reflection that every moment does matter. “I originally became a nurse because my close friend was diagnosed with AIDS my senior year of high school. At the time I wasn’t sure what I was going to major in, but I decided that I would be able to assist my friend if I became a nurse, so I applied to nursing school. I never had the chance because she passed away before I graduated in 1996, but I never regretted my decision. Although I was not able to be her nurse I have been able to help hundreds of others, and I thank her every day for that.” 10 “ You never know how one small act of kindness can have a big impact on someone’s life.” 11 “ Caring for others is the core of who I am as a human being.