For PDF click PCA Recruitment Goal Status
News for Education and Research News and the MHS
The three-day 2009 Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice will take start on July 9th. There will be a pre-conference on July 8th.
Clinicians and educators, share your EBP successes. You are invited to submit abstracts for consideration.
Click here for futher information
In July 2009, the NAHN will be having their 34th Annual Conference here in San Antonio at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel. NAHN invites the submission of abstracts for presentation.
NAHN Call for Abstracts Biographical Data & Disclosure form
The submission deadline is 5PM, January 15, 2009.
The abstract and data form should be submitted to: mcgoon@uthscsa.edu.
Congratulations to Nancy Tena, RN, MSN, CPON on her selection as Secretary for APHON (Associaton of Pediatric/Hematology Nurses)
Click here for APHON website with additional information
If nurses have a concern or issue related to a staffing situation, there is now a process to take the issue forward. As part of the 7 new Healthy Work Environment policies that were rolled out in April 2008, a Staffing Issues Committee was created to provide nurses the opportunity to request a review of a staffing situation, concern or issue. When an issue arises, the nurse should complete the review form and turn it in within one week (see attached form) The form can be sent inter-office mail to Michele Patterson, Chairperson, or it can be submitted to Michele via e-mail. Click here to access the form or go to the Meditech library and look for the form under “Nursing Staffing Issues Committee”.
The issue will then be reviewed by a committee made up of members from the facilities’ Staff Nurse Leadership Councils and the CNO will be made aware of the staff concern. The committee will review the situation and the suggested recommendation and then as deemed appropriate will make a recommendation to nursing leadership. The nurse that submitted the form will receive feedback from the committee.
This process is one of the many ways that staff nurses have a voice. For more information go to the “Methodist Nurses” link of this website and see the article on “You Have a Voice”.
Seven Methodist Healthcare nurses have been named South Texas Nurse Imagemakers. The Delta Alpha Chapter-a-Large of Sigma theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society selected them because they model a professional image and positive caring attitude; leadership qualities; a commitment to continuous learning; and significant contributions to the organization and community. Congratulations!
Candace Cole, RN
* Director, Perioperative Services, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital
~ Candace has excellent critical thinking skills which she has demonstrated in the clinical arena by implementing process improvements in surgical case turn-over time reduction, implementation of the Surgery Passport, and creation of a monitoring tool to ensure compliance with National Patient Safety Goals. Most noteworthy is her recent creation of a product, “Time Out,” which will be produced by Sandel Medical Company and distributed to health care organizations nationwide. This product will increase compliance with the “Time Out” safety initiative for all procedures.
Esther Garcia, BSN, RN
* Permanent Charge Nurse, Post Surgical Floor, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital
~ Physicians who place their patients on the fifth floor ask for Esther by name, knowing that she is always well informed on the patient’s conditions and able and willing to assist as necessary. Employees of the fifth floor and surgery frequently send emails to the Nursing Director praising her leadership, especially in stressful situations. Patients send cards and letters with testimonials about Esther’s dedication to her nursing profession. The unit always runs smoothly when Esther is in charge.
Eileen Huss, BS, MHA, RN, CEN
* Vice President of Patient Care Services, Methodist Boerne Emergency Center
~ Eileen was responsible for the successful opening of the first free-standing Emergency Department in the
Michele G. Patterson, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS
* Registered Nurse, Cardiac Rehabilitation Department, Methodist Hospital
~ Michele has tremendous insight into the needs of the direct care staff and articulates these ideas in a thoughtful manner. Her leadership contributed to the success of initiatives regarding practice issues such as restraint reduction, blood administration and handoff communication. Her peers appreciate her open leadership style and willingness to listen to ideas and suggestions for improvement, and patients compliment her for thoroughness of the teaching that she provides. Michele is responsible for developing an orientation packet for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.
Timothy E. Walker, RN
* Charge Nurse, Medical Monitored Unit, Northeast Methodist Hospital
~ Tim’s leadership sets the tone for the unit. His approach is quiet and humble with an infectious laugh. He encourages, educates and mentors his colleagues. He participates in hospital-wide patient-throughput processes to improve patient flow, seeking out opportunities to increase his knowledge of evidence-based nursing practice. Tim initiated a plan to improve the delivery of STAT medications to the patient in the hospital. Tim says, “Nursing is more than a job or career. Nursing means giving of myself above and beyond, because there are others more important than me.”
Rachel Warner, RN
* Nurse Director, Medical Unit, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital
~ Rachel has been employed by MSTH for the past 27 years. Rachel has served as LVN, charge nurse, assistant nurse manager, nurse director and educator. As an educator, Rachel chaired the Medical-Surgical Service-Line Committee, where she expertly facilitated a three-day course for graduate nurses. During each step of her varied career, Rachel has always led by example. She is kind, compassionate, direct and funny. These attributes have served her well as she deals with her most challenging role to date, Nurse Director.
Sandra Williams, RNC, NIC
* Newborn Outreach Educator, Pediatric Outreach, Methodist Children’s Hospital
~ Sandy was one of the first instructors in South Texas to present STABLE, a course that teaches those caring for newborns to better regulate and support newborns. In addition, she has created and presented courses on at least 15 various neonatal topics from
Ethics Refresher training is conducted annually for Methodist Healthcare employees and other covered persons. This course restates the importance of and commitment to our Ethics and Compliance Program and includes education pertaining to the Corporate Integrity Agreement.
To Register for a Class:
Step 1: Select “Education & Research” from SANursing home page
Sep 2: Select “Calendar of Events”
Step 3: Choose the month and date of your class from the Calendar
Step 4: Select “Event Details”
Step 5: Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Register Now” and follow the instructions to register
Schedule of Classes:
June 2nd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
June 3rd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 4th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
June 9th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 10th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
June 11th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
June 12th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
June 13th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 16th, 2008 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
June 17th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
June 18th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
June 19th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 20th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 23rd, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
June 24th, 2008 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
June 25th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
June 26th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
June 27th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
June 30th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 1st, 2008 4:00 PM-5:00 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 2nd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 3rd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 7th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 8th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 9th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
July 10th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
July 11th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
July 14th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 15th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
July 16th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
July 17th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 18th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 21st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 22nd, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
July 23rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
July 24th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM
July 25th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 28th, 2008 1:30 PM-2:30 AM
July 29th, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 AM
July 30th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
July 31st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
August 1st, 2008 7:30 AM-8:30 AM 1:30 PM-2:30 PM 4:00 PM-5:00 PM 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
September 3rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
September 10th, 2008 10:00 PM-11:00 AM
September 17th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
September 24th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
October 1st, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
October 8th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
October 15th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
October 22nd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
October 29th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
November 5th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
November 12th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
November 19th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
November 26th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
December 3rd, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
December 10th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
December 17th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
December 24th, 2008 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
When we talk about voice, we mean your ability to have a say in how things are done here…such as making improvements in working conditions affecting quality or safety. Here are just a few of the many ways nurses have a voice at Methodist Healthcare:
Employee Advisory Group- the purpose of the EAG (Employee Advisory Group) is to provide a forum for employees to voice concerns or issues that affect them in their workplace, share their ideas and suggestions for improvement, and work collaboratively with management to continuously improve the work environment. The volunteers on this committee come from a wide variety of departments. Look for the EAG posters or contact your Human Resource consultant if you would like to know the names of the employees that represent your facility.
Staff Nurse Leadership Council (SNLC)- as outlined in our Nursing Bylaws Organization and Function Manual, the SNLC addresses issues of nursing importance and provides input to the Staff Nurse Leadership Board on issues that may improve clinical practice, hospital operations and a healthy workplace environment. Every nursing unit/department should send a representative to the meetings. The representative facilitates communication between hospital administration, nurse managers/directors, and the nursing units. Often times the representative will return to the unit and gain feedback on a certain issue so that he/she can take it back to the next SNLC meeting. In effect, your unit representative will carry the voice of his/her unit back to the meetings in order to make decisions.
Unit/Department Staff Meetings- staff meetings are another time for two way communication. Although the manager/director may have a lot of information to share, staff meetings are also an opportunity for the employees to speak up and discuss things as a team. Leaders always appreciate your ideas and feedback.
Town Hall Meetings- these meetings are held on a quarterly basis and all employees are encouraged to participate. The meetings are led by Senior Leadership and the discussion is always interactive. There is always time on the agenda for an open discussion. This is a great time for employees to voice their comments and suggestions.
Bright Idea Boxes- just jot down your thought or suggestion and drop it in one of the boxes posted in the high traffic area of your facility. You can include your name or you can submit something anonymously.
Employee Satisfaction Survey- this anonymous survey is conducted once a year by an outside company. We use the survey to validate that we are doing well and to identify opportunities for improvement. The results are compared to previous years and to other HCA facilities. It is a very effective tool as directors are required to design a work plan in response to their respective department survey results. So by sharing their voice, employees’ concerns are targeted and addressed.
You asked us to make the nursing clinical ladder more streamlined and useful. Consider it done!
Nursing Clinical Excellence Program Flyer
Announcing the new MHS Nursing Clinical Excellence Program. For more information, including the policy and application packets, please visit the Nursing Clinical Excellence link under the Your Career/Career Development section of SANursing.com.
