By Karen Blakenship, R.N.
Director, Clinical Operations
Reeves Rehabilitation Center
John Halsell recently received designation as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN).
The CCRN is a mark of excellence in the field of rehabilitation nursing, requiring completion of two years of experience in the specialty and successful completion of a rigorous examination.
University Health System nurses specializing in women’s health are going home to Laredo to raise awareness of diabetes, cervical cancer, and nursing careers. Marsiol Leija, R.N., Irene Puente, R.N. , and Cynthia Voorhees, R.N. are looking forward to seeing friends, family, and area health care professionals at KLRN’s first Laredo Women’s Conference Saturday, January 29.
The team also includes Jody Davis, R.N., who will present a breakout session on Cervical, Ovarian, and Uterine Cancer.
Another home town girl, Monica Galvan of Strategic Planning, Corporate Communications and Business Development, is coordinating University Health System’s participation in the Conference. The team hopes to meet Laredo health professionals interested in employment at the Health System.
The first of its kind for Laredo, the 2005 women’s health conference will be held Saturday, January 29, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Texas A&M International University. To purchase tickets, call 800-627-8193 or click on http://www.klrn.org/morethantv/laredowhc.
Submitted by Eli Villareal, RN, PCC
Hematology/Oncology/BMT
The care of the nurses on the sixth floor inspired the brother of a patient to write the note and poem that follow:
While this is a terrible attempt to say “thank you” to all the wonderful people that have gone to the extreme to keep our brother with us, it is my family’s way. Just as you have given a part of yourselves, so must we respond in kind.
From the extended Martinez Family, God bless you and keep you safe…always.
By Rosalie Tierney-Gumaer
Director of Nursing Continuing Education
UTHSCSA School of Nursing
In support of the University Hospital nurses quest for knowledge of research and scholarship, I would like to reference you to the UTHSCSA -SON Continuing Education website http://nursing.uthscsa.edu/ce.shtml for information regarding the Fifth Annual Southern States Knowledge in Nursing Conference: Advancing Knowledge of Minority Women & Children's Health.
The conference is scheduled for April 15-16 at the Hilton Airport Hotel.
"On December 18, my sister-in-law and niece were both brought to your Medical Drive facility after a four-wheeler/truck accident. My sister-in-law is still a patient in the Reeves facility on the sixth floor, and your care for her has been phenomenal.
My niece we lost on December 26, and we buried her yesterday, December 29. All of the staff (doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist, etc.) were caring, professional and a wonderful relief to my family as we made the difficult decisions that finally came to a conclusion with yesterday's services.
While my niece was in the pediatric ICU on the 9th floor, we were fortunate enough to have as her nurse a man I know only by his first name, Jim. He was always professional, always polite, and always helpful. He gave the right amount of support and encouragement, without ever offering false hope. And when, on Sunday, we finally had to remove her from life support, Jim touched my entire family with his sincere expressions of compassion and concern for all of us.
My thank you goes to all of you at University Health Systems, but I offer my highest praise for Jim who made a fitting companion for my special niece during her final days."
By Dawn Bishop, MSN, RN
Unit Educator-Newborn Nursery & NICU
Have you heard the news? Nurses who work for University Health System may qualify to have their student loans paid back by the government. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a variety of educational funding opportunities for individuals in the healthcare profession, particularly nurses.
You can find more information about this fabulous program by visiting their website at www.hrsa.gov.
From here, click on the “Health Professions” link. This will take you to where you can select from a variety of “Support for Training Programs”. When nursing is selected, you will find a list of scholarship, loan, and loan repayment program options. The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program is the program that will potentially pay a nurse’s student loans just for working here at UHS. The application deadline is February 25, 2005. There is either an online application or a hardcopy application to choose from.
The website explains the applicant criteria that must be met in order to be selected as a recipient. In summary, the government pays 65% of your student loan balance for two years of service. If you decide to stay a third year, they will pay an additional 25% of your student loan balance. In other words, 85% of your student loan balance will be paid off in three years just for coming to work and doing what you love. The service agreement is concurrent with the repayment period; therefore, after the payments cease, your service agreement is complete.
One extra special benefit of being a nurse at UHS is that our nurses have priority in the overall program rankings since University Hospital is considered a Disproportionate Share Hospital. This program application process is definitely worth any nurse’s time and effort.