Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Community Healthcare - 7

nursing roles have never been more
important in the achievement of patient
outcomes and an organization's success
than they are today.

the enhancement of patient care related
to infection control, diabetes education, pain assessment and intravenous
line maintenance.

Influencing
Quality Outcomes

Supporting the
Nursing Profession

Known for having state-of-the-art technologies, outstanding expertise and
top-notch medical facilities, the hospitals of Community Healthcare System
each have earned a long list of industry
accreditations, awards and designations
as centers of excellence. None would
be possible without the support, skill
and expertise of nurses.
"Nurses play an active role in determining the best practices of care for
our patients," says Ronda McKay, chief
nursing officer and vice president of
Patient Care Services at Community
Hospital. "Their perspective from
day-to-day interactions with patients
is an invaluable link toward shaping
the policies and procedures of care at
our hospitals."
In fact, the practice of empowering
front-line staff nurses with decisionmaking power when it comes to patient
care is formalized in the hospitals'
"shared governance" model of nursing.
"Shared governance incorporates
shared leadership and participative
decision-making among our nurses
regarding a variety of topics, including
clinical practice, quality improvement
and professional development," explains
Tammie Jones, chief nursing officer and
vice president of Patient Care Services
at St. Mary Medical Center. "This collaborative work environment has a
direct positive impact on patient care."
Some of these collaborative initiatives include: education efforts to help
patients gain a clearer understanding
of any new medications prescribed to
them during their hospitalization, fall
prevention programs aimed at identifying potential risks, and educating at-risk
patients on the importance of asking
for assistance. Nurses also contribute to

Cultivating excellence through ongoing
education and support are key in ensuring that nurses offer the highest level of
expertise across all disciplines.
"Healthcare today is a continually
changing work environment, and nurses
need to stay on the cutting edge of
new developments and programs," says
Jones. "That is why it is so important
to offer nurses opportunities to grow
professionally, as well as helping new
nurses succeed after graduation."
Nurse residency programs support
new nurse graduates throughout their
orientation as they transition into the
daily practice of nursing, McKay says.
"These programs help nurses build
confidence in their skills and communication, benefiting patients and the
entire team involved in their care."
"We value what each nurse brings to
the table both personally and professionally," Swenson says. "Whether there

WEBSITE

Interested
in Nursing?
For more information about
nursing opportunities at the hospitals of Community Healthcare 
System, visit www.comhs.org/
careers/nursing.

is a nurse with 40 years of experience
who has seen and done everything or a
younger professional who brings a fresh
set of eyes, each has something to offer
the other when it comes to delivering
quality patient care."
"When you become a nurse at any
one of our hospitals, you become part
of a bigger family," McKay adds.
"Our nurses are passionate about
making a difference in our patients'
lives and making an impact in our
communities," Swenson says.
"It is care that goes beyond clinical
expertise," Jones says. "That type of
care comes from the heart." n

Chief Nursing Officers (left to right) Paula Swenson of St. Catherine Hospital, Ronda McKay
of Community Hospital and Tammie Jones of St. Mary Medical Center
SUMME R 2017

7
http://www.comhs.org/careers/nursing http://www.comhs.org/careers/nursing
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2017 - Community Healthcare
