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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SALUTE TO NURSES | SAVING LIVES ‘That’s why you keep going’
ICU nursing team takes care of each other through the hardest days, charge nurse says.
the wonderful things that she could do.” She then moved to Nebraska and enrolled in the University of Nebraska Medical College of Nursing at its campus in Norfolk. She decided to pack up once again and move to North Platte “sight unseen” because of its similar size to North Platte and her previous experience with a travel nurse who took an assignment in the area, “She said the facility was amazing, the doctors, the nurses, everybody was amazing,” McColley said. “And Norfolk was too far from home, so my husband got a job at the local police department and we moved. And we’re here nine years later.” Now, at 32, McColley is the “mom” of her unit, working as a charge nurse in the ICU. At 5:45 a.m. her day starts. She heads into work to get reports and start assessing her patients. “The fun thing about ICU nursing,” she said, “is that everything can be fine, and then it's not, and that keeps you very, very busy.” During her three or four 12-hour shifts a week, McColley said, some days you can work with all sorts of providers from every specialty. “You’re kind of the mom that coordinates all of the doctors and everybody together to make sure that those patients are getting the best care that they can, that things are getting communicated to them and especially their families too,” she said. McColley’s team of nurses are a “well-oiled unit,” she said. “I wouldn't have stayed
McColley and the nurses to fill in gaps for each other, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses to ensure the best outcomes for their patients. It also allows them to take care of one another, either through a bit of dark humor or just checking in. “Sometimes you have to laugh through all of the awful things that are happening,” McColley said. “My co-workers really help a lot. They can tell when one of us is emotionally drained from it, and they come over and take over, make sure you eat something. … Just a five-minute break will really change your whole day.” Though her co-workers come close, the best part of being a nurse is when she gets to see a miracle happen and a life is saved, she said. “We had this one girl, and we were all really, really worried. It was bad. But she came back a month later and thanked us all,” McColley said. “I don’t cry, it's not in my genetics to cry, but when she came back and thanked us all, you knew that’s why we worked our butts off that day. It was for her and she lived, and that’s why you keep going. That’s why it’s worth it.” When she’s not at work, she cares for her family’s “hobby ranch,” where she, her kids and her husband care for their miniature animals: four cows, two donkeys and three goats. “They’re like my little antidepressants,” she said. “They make me happy and my donkeys give the best cuddles.” Having that source of companionship and comfort outside of work helps, because nursing is “hard work, and you have to be willing to do the hard work.” Her advice to future nurses is to “always want to learn.” “It’s hard work, but it's worth it in the end,” she said. “There’s those patients, because I’ve got a few that stick in my head and I know I will remember them till the day I die. Those are the ones that remind you why you wanted to be a nurse again. “This job will beat you down, but those patients and their families will remind you what you did was good, and you changed somebody's life.”
By CAITLYN THOMAS caitlyn.thomas@lee.net A has been in North Platte. Originally from Denver, McColley first went into health care at 18 years old. She worked as a certified nurse’s assistant until 2014, at times working alongside her mom and “watching
team player, a leader and a second- generation nurse, Courtney McColley has given her all to Great Plains Health throughout the nine years she
her be a nurse and all of
in North Platte, far away from home, if it wasn’t for the nurses that I work with,” she said. “Everybody is wonderful. They work super well together and everybody’s willing to help in any way they can.” That close teamwork allows
Caitlyn Thomas photo AT LEFT: Courtney McColley, 32, an ICU charge nurse at Great Plains Health, has worked in health care since she was 18. For nine years she has served the community of North Platte, forming close bonds with her fellow nurses and working hard to care for the patients of GPH.
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SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 PAGE 3
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SALUTE TO NURSES | CELEBRATING HEROES Supporting Nurses
These heroes are the gears that make our health care system work. GREEN SHOOT MEDIA L ong hours, short staffing and difficult cases can all too often lead to stress and burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic has receded, but nurses are still managing countless cases of flu, stroke, heart attacks, injury and other common ailments. All of it is made worse by patients and family members who are impatient,
uncooperative or simply rude. Let’s join together to treat nurses with the kindness and respect that they deserve — both at the office and in our communities. Here’s how to show your appreciation: OBEY THE RULES Avoid the doctor’s office if you can through better nutrition, regular exercise and making good life choices. Get vaccinated as recommended, take your medications and always follow the advice you get from health care professionals. If you get sick or simply need a checkup, do your part when visiting the doctor’s office or hospital by waiting patiently and following instructions. There is little nurses can do about the number of other
Celebrating National Nurses Week Nurses make the difference!
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patients waiting in front of you. They may be taking on increasing responsibilities in managing the office that affect the timing of your evaluation and diagnosis. SAY THANK YOU Nurses typically strive to provide patient care without the need for any recognition, but we all know how a kind word can brighten any day. Organize events to show your appreciation for health care workers. This might mean catering a lunch, signing them up for a spa day or giving gift cards. Volunteer to help with things like running errands or childcare. Your local government, community or religious leaders may be willing to create
something on an even larger scale. Any gesture, large or small, will go a long way in showing how much you appreciate the sacrifices made to keep us all healthy and happy. BE AN ADVOCATE Learn more about the challenges nurses face through information provided by various nursing and health care associations. Reach out to friends and family who work in nursing to find out whether there are specific needs to be addressed. Then support legislation and policies that benefit health care professionals such as nurses. Support nonprofits working on their behalf, as well.
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NURSES
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Recognizing Our Local Nurses SALUTE TO NURSES | CARE, COMPASSION & COMMITMENT
Betsy Jurgensen Crystal Gartrell LuAnne Schrader-Songster
Wendy Evans Kareen Faith Talaban Cherry Anne Galutan Faith Marquez Fermous Gope Lord Kwesi Appiah Meghan Roberts Piper deBeauclair Lauren Stovall Ogie Gian Ycoy Rain Harvey Santiago Andrea Murrill Herwella Paquiabas Reynell Gallimore Lisa Kinnan Charles Kamyuka Maria Stephanie Barreiro Jori Rogers Jessie Smith Elsa Abad Doroth Obangi Nancy Marus Rachel Kirumba Beth Nganga Barsha Shrestha Bridget Mbae Gloria Kiplagat Sharon Mukret Dasen Eunice Mngola Beatrice Bargoria Christine Mugambi Rodah Konya Thelma Chinedu Tosin Olumuyiwa Rosaline Oppong Petros Maphosa Grace Ankoma Sekyere Deanna Somers Brenda Ewing
Megan Hejtmanek Alyssa Walker Kassy Willey Katherine Wartman Derra Daly Hayley Jenny Ashley Streger Grace Nebechukwu Jaylen Schledewitz Katie Bruns Mara Stethem Lindsey Powers MacKenna Turner Delynn Myers Amanda Mays Carla Stuart Grace Koubek Jennifer Beckermeyer Emily McIntosh Madison Kerk Melissa Gengler Amy Curtis Jacque Stittle Alison Pavelka Makenzie Yoshida
Kaile Tibbetts Courtney Viter Bea Ramona Onate Malinda Harvey Amber Rathbun Erin DeFruiter Haylee Steffes Madison Simmons Emilia Pacheco Antonia Ka'ai
Jason Westman Ma Lourdes Gumbao Regine Laguador Alma Vida Cortes Aaron Tangarorang Lyonesse Gail Kwan Jessica Owen Vianne Marie Baron Lloren Kris Tahura Lisa Webb Clinton Oriango Kari Goff Diane Baumgartner Mindy Pawlowski Carol Quincy-D'Josey Tabitha Edelman Jasmine Hahn Holly Sward Kimberly Haney HaLee Kramer Karen Waite Jennifer Johnston Sylvia Mintle
Kari Rosenberg Paula Tadlock Rebekah Stockton Zackary Cooper Samantha Whiley Michelle Pagel Samantha Clark Nicole Tomlinson Elizabeth Kerchal Jesirae Peterson Rosanne Trumbull Monica Mitchell Michelle McNea Emily Swanson Lisa Rosenof Lori Gager Ethan Suh Cristina Bravo John Alvin Pascual Kimberly Clouatre Ashley Ward Jessica Dagohoy Brittnae Lee Ahmad Rbiat Lisa Glaubitz Jessie Thompson Pamela Harvey Melanie Jeffries Amber Simcox Lisa Hoskovec Lindsay Schwartz Lindsey Voelkel Rickie Sellers Skyler Simmons Evan Pufpaff Abigail Franzen Kaelyn Clark Natasha Envoh
Michael Alinea Jessica Williams Katie Epps Caroline Swoboda Rose Antonette Martinez Cherry Jean Suelto Alfred John Dagohoy Franz Mitchelle Tahura
Brittney Douglass Ashley Sherwood Danni Ehlers Brooke McQuillin Cireza Anne Zape David Martinez Areej Al-Smadi Damalie Nabunyira Austin George Mary Ann Anderson Jessica Cooley Samuel Mayberry Dania Alhouwari Juliana Amoafo Sandra Yates
Jana Gragg Jami Comer
Nieves Llamas Ladea Pascual Jada Jensen Sydney Vetter Elizabeth Clair Florence Flores Jena Ziemba Danielle Smith Brandy Story
Shiloh Folchert Jamie Simants Betsy Houlden Hillary Zysset Cara White Shawnae Vieyra Emily Maxwell
Micaelia Hernandez Giavanna Anderson Jocey Taylor Mary Grace Tangarorang
Aaron Dickman Kara Dickman Cameran Scott Fred Wambo Christine Beall
Addie Schaeffer Brianna Woods Alexanne Wilkerson Ashley Causa Bernard Gallenberg Jordan Goodell Courtney McColley
Jorgie Supapo Marlina Parish
Rayan Moore Leah Carlyle Michelle Burnett Kelly Anderson-Benell Kalai Gurnsey Sheryl Jay Sagnep
Kaelyn Armstrong Katelyn Thompson
Patricia Paxton Nicole Kissinger Joy Fleck Steph Seamann Kyrstin Townsend
Skyler Sudbeck Heather George Melissa Stacy Shelli Dreifurst
Eddielyn De Guzman Mazel Shane Frigillano Nathaniel Smith
Trevor Blake Kylin Brooks Jenn Carrillo
NURSES
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 PAGE 5
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Ronda Edwards Calli Pankonin
Alyson Weathers Ashlee Napowsa Laura Vaughan Taylor Bergstrand Candis Ellenburg Jessica Adams Mohammad Quran Kelli Iverson Reegan Mayberry Giselle Simmons Codie Coon Andrea Williams Kellie Mahanes Natalee Little Shelly Veldhuizen Jillian Hamburger Jennifer Nutter Jill Stevenson Tracy Fuqua Kelsey Sellers Sonya Maassen Kimberly Millard Tasha Schroder Phyllis Mackley Hilary Bradley Alexandra Preitauer Whitney Bollinger Kristi Naranjo Lynda Frailey Veronica Sederlin Jessi Kahler Beccah Mortensen Suzette Manzano Kelli Grasz Alexandra Magill Patricia Smith Jennifer Quiroga
Rebecca Sonneman Karri Wallace Caala Clang Kierra Huebner Jenni Lee Meghan Citta Samantha Kemp Treu Gibson Holly Lehn Heather Jensen Heidi Magpali Kaitlyn McSparren Tina Berglund Shay Burns Ann Milan De Luna Diana Smith
Jamie Sosa Dezarae Herrick Hannah Foster Josie Keck Teresa Donohoe Kelly Stoddard Karlee Boyd Colleen Sexson Shea Simmons Katherine Pacheco Yanina Ivanovych Korrine Walczyk Nick McKay Elena Ramos Beth O'Brien Candice Myers Brenda Shurigar Sali Lindenberger Jolene Sitorius Kellie Tagwerker Jamie Matson Leah Pawlowski Cathy Hinrichsen Tammy Niemoth Tera Riley Melissa Nemechek Philip Miller Miranda Stagemeyer Emma Webster Jennifer Kleewein Stephanie Wiesen Lisa Kosmacek Terri Jones Dawn Miller Jennifer Cook Staci Thompson Emily Michl
Carmen Schmoldt Karlee Schow Teresa Martin Theresa Keller Kelly McKay DeeAnn Jensen Tammi Schram-Guernsey Shelby Schultz Heather Haneborg
Kelley Flock Heidi Smyth Shelly Callaway Jessica Buffington Whitney Ruh Kandra Simmerman Krista Struckman Neissa Becker Brooke Rosales Nikki Martens Morgan Andersen Michelle Gutschenritter Stephanie Jacobson Heidi Weir
Barb Eshleman Teri Schledewitz Kendra Lampe Melissa Peterka Leah Wescoat Brooke Moorhead Samantha Ady Jewel Hampton Lindsey Beggs Rhonda VanSkiver Carrie O'Brien Chastity Orr Ann Marie Baker
Megan Jenik Leslie Torres Sarah Roth Jennifer Hagen Stephanie Schultz Sarah Caudy Robin Hager Amanda Harwager Susan Caudillo Erin Pascoe
Heidi Erickson Michelle Miller Sally Brecks Robin Dailey Angela Hart Susan Schick Megan Moore
Tamara Fischer Misti McEntire Liane Sprague Elizabeth Raube Becca Colson Megan Schroeder Karen Anthony Hannah Cook Nathan Holthusen Samuel Cann Sandra Covey [C] Jaimie Manka Hannah Gartner Kayla Miller
Kayla Heflin Wendy Ward Katie Silva Sara Quinn
Makayla Tetley Erica Holloway Amber Higgins
Laura McWha Jennifer Lantis Lori Schoenholz Misti Hutchison Tina Pate Shelby Malsbury Michelle Young Heather Frederick Alissa Hankla
Megan Hynes Randii Endorf Kaylea Foster Christina Yoshida Morgan Silos Sierra Byrn Rebekah Archuletta Kelli Gandee
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SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025
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SALUTE TO NURSES | NEW HORIZONS Adapting to Change
The challenges are many for nurses, who must deal with evolving strains of disease, staffing issues and complex technology, among many other things. ncreased health care collaboration and managing telehealth appoint- ments provide daily challenges. That’s why it’s so important for nursing professionals to remain flexible in their practice. They must adopt a growth mindset that fosters continual learning and helps them more effectively navigate the new challenges that are ahead. Here’s a look at the ways nurses are adapting to change: GREEN SHOOT MEDIA I TECHNOLOGY Nurses have to be open and accepting of seemingly ever-changing technological advancements. They regularly
incorporate new innovations into their daily practices that help with everything from tracking health outcomes to remote patient visits. Electronic health records have significantly improved patient care by streamlining the paperwork process. Digital systems now track medical histories, offer a place to add real-time notes on progress and alert health care providers to possible medication interactions and allergies. COLLABORATION As health issues change or progress, nursing staff often must quickly integrate with others to provide continuing care, including various specialists, administrative assistants and visiting physicians. Nurses maintain a career-long commitment to professionalism while working alongside diverse and rotating teams of colleagues. accurate Now available online, this data feeds into future assessments. Some facilities are integrating wearable technology for patients, so nurses must become proficient in tracking health data from smart sensors. Valuable information from these devices may include vital DOCUMENTATION Precise documentation creates medical histories.
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signs and exercise and dietary details. Nurses often must explain the meaning behind the data with patients who might not understand the new technology. Wearable technology can effectively alert users to potential health issues, but it can’t replace the expertise and advice of medical professionals.
involves staying informed about best practices and anticipating potential changes across the broader health care landscape. Nurses are constantly pursuing continuous education and related certifications. Many are active members of professional organizations and participate in relevant conferences. They foster collaboration with colleagues and take advantage of online resources.
LEARNING Part of remaining proactive as a nurse
GoGreen– RECYCLE!
Happy Nurses Week
Adams Middle School 1200 McDonald Avenue 1st Christian Church 220 North Vine Street Senior Center – 900 East 10th Street NP Community College South Campus 601 West State Farm Road The Barn Store – 2500 West Front Street (taking plastics #1 ,#2 and card-board) Gary’s Super Foods - 1620 E. 4th Street, Suite 110 Front Street - 200 Block of East Front Street (North of Pizza Ranch) Recycling Drop Off Locations:
North Platte Union Pacific Employees Credit Union 420 Rodeo Rd., North Platte, NE 69101 (308)532-4426 www.upemployeescu.com
NURSES
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025 PAGE 7
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SALUTE TO NURSES | EDUCATION
Considering Nursing School
There's still a significant shortage of registered nurses in the U.S. GREEN SHOOT MEDIA T hose who are interested in studying to become a nurse will be filling a critical need in health care. It might not take as long as you think: Nursing degrees are typically completed in two to four years. Having an associate degree is the minimum requirement, but many potential employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s. To practice as a registered nurse, you must successfully pass a special RN examination and then obtain a license in your state. Those who pursue board certification may need additional years of clinical experience. There are grants, loan programs and payment reduction and forgiveness options to consider, as well. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE There are lots of programs that can help finance a nursing education. There may be grants available, depending on where you eventually work. Consult with financial aid advisors at your chosen school to find out about specific opportunities. Johnson and Johnson sponsors a special search tool for assistance in finding scholarships and other forms of financial aid. AFTER YOU GRADUATE If you’ve already graduated but are struggling with meeting student loan payments, explore reduced repayment or forgiveness options. Options like the National Health Service Corps’ Loan Repayment Program are specifically
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unpaid nursing student loans in exchange for two years of full-time employment. Longer commitments may lead to more benefits.
designed to alleviate student debt for nursing professionals. Loans may be reduced or forgiven after a certain number of payments if you are employed at specific facilities or if you commit to working for two years in areas where there is a shortage of health care staff. Each of the programs has specific eligibility criteria, so thoroughly review the terms and conditions associated with each before signing on. LOAN FORGIVENESS Nurses employed nonprofit organizations or government agencies may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal initiative forgives a portion of loans after a specific number of qualifying payments by
have been made. Some private employers may provide other assistance. The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program can reduce up to 60% of your
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NURSES
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
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