WDH 2020-2021 Nursing Report - Flipbook - Page 29
Celebrating Certified Nurses
59% of eligible RNs at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital are
board certified. To achieve certification, a nurse must
have clinical experience and pass a comprehensive exam
in their chosen specialty. Maintaining certification is
accomplished through continuing education and clinical
practice.
Certification not only validates expertise, it
demonstrates nurses’ commitment to their profession.
Typically, the choice to pursue certification is a voluntary
one that requires investment of a nurses’ own time and
resources. WDH recognizes certified nurses each year on
March 19th, Certified Nurses’ Day.
Some areas, where certification is required, reimburse
nurses for exam fees. Often departments will invest
in study guides or review programs to support staff
in preparing for exams. Nurses may also apply for
scholarship funds to assist with the expense.
Behavioral Health Services
Pillar Award Nomination
Kellie Mueller, MEd
Assistant Vice President
Behavioral Health Services
The Behavioral Health team was nominated for the 2021
excellence in patient care pillar award. Although they did
not win the award, their dedication and care especially
during the pandemic is commendable. An excerpt from
the nomination: “Behavioral health has always been
a difficult area to work in. It has been an undervalued
service in society, with stigma and judgement often
effecting patients’ ability and willingness to seek care.
Over time there has been a decrease in stigma and
increase in the recognition of the importance of whole
person health. Behavioral health advances the goals of
Patient Centered Medical Home, and comprehensive
patient-centered care with a focus on whole person
wellness. As more and more patients are identified as
needing behavioral health services and are accepting
referrals to care, the volume of behavioral patients
has increased year over year. Covid has resulted in the
volume sharply increasing, leaving the behavioral health
team doing more and more to meet the demand. The
4G Clinical Nurse Sue Daily, MS, RN, CCNS, advocated for
seven nurses to attend a 2-day certification review course
in November 2021, fully reimbursed by the NH Seacoast
Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care
Nurses, of which Sue serves as President.
Certification can help nurses meet the requirements for
the Professional Recognition Program, WDH’s clinical
ladder.
team never loses sight of the goal, to provide evidencedbased, safe care to some of the most vulnerable and
fragile patients. Compassion fatigue and moral injury
strains on the behavioral health team has increased, due
to often caring for the most emotionally challenging
patients. The team is constantly battling the tide of
trying to provide resources for a population increasing
in size with a work force that is not able to keep up. In a
behavioral health and Covid world the need is to always
do more with less. Yet day after day the behavioral health
team shows up to help patients get what they need.”
When Covid hit, the behavioral health team pivoted to
continue the important care of their patients. Behavioral
Health worked to be a consistent and reliable source
of support for their patients during the very scary
early days of the pandemic, working virtually or in
person to address the acute anxiety, social isolation, and
disconnection that so many of our most vulnerable and
marginalized community members faced. In addition,
the behavioral health team worked to be a resource
and a stabilizing presence for those who struggled with
significant increases in the severity of pre-existing
mental health and substance use disorders related to
the drastic shifts in availability and access to services
due to the pandemic. The team actively participated in
initiatives to provide support to employees as well.
2020–2021 Nursing Annual Report
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