Nurses 2023

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Responding to international crisis

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA W ..hen strike

affected by the crisis, including patients, family members and other health care workers. Nurses who perform this kind of work are often called humanitarian nurses. According to Doctors without Borders, nurses deliver 80 to 90% of health care worldwide. These nurses often work with humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, the United Nations or the International Medical Corps that dispatch them as teams in places where they are needed. Coordinating care‌ In a humanitarian crisis, nurses are often the ones who play key roles in coordinating medical care and resources. They are part of a team that has to work quickly and often without any prior structure to make sure patients receive the care they need. Nurses are able to create the organization and structure needed to do such things as organize medical supplies,

plan transportation and provide logistical support. Training and policy development‌ Nurses play key roles in training and educating those affected by a crisis. For example, VOICE Amplified is a nonprofit that employs nurses to help women experiencing violence in conflict, crisis or disaster settings. In the past year, they worked with Ukrainian refugees in Poland, providing them with at-home kits that contain emergency contraceptives, cleansers and other items because so many of them experience sexual violence in the region. The education nurses provide help prevent the spread of disease and help people to care for themselves. Because nurses spend so much time on the front line, they can also contribute to policy development at local, national and international levels. Their input and testimony are crucial to lawmakers and other government officials who

are creating the policies that govern healthcare access, resources and other factors. Research and advocacy‌ Nurses can play proactive roles in making sure there is better health care options when the next disaster or military action takes place. At research hospitals and universities, nurses can participate in research on what sort of care is needed during these emergencies and how practices can be improved or adapted. Nurses are also advocates for improved health care access in emergency situations. By telling their stories, they can raise awareness about global health issues, advocate for policy changes and support initiatives that improve health outcomes. Every day, nurses are making important contributions to international aid efforts through their expertise, compassion and skills.

disasters

or wars break out, nurses are very quickly on the scene. They are key contributors to global health and international aid efforts. However, as crucial as their first responder role is, the contributions nurses make to international aid and humanitarian efforts go beyond the immediate, palliative needs. Providing direct patient care‌ Wherever people are being injured or disease is spreading due to an epidemic, nurses are critical care givers. They are often on the front lines providing care to patients in underserved areas, regions hit by natural or manmade disasters and war zones. They treat injuries, provide medication and manage acute and chronic conditions. They may also provide psychological support to those

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Pain Management Nurse: 'That’s what we’re put on Earth for — to help people' By GEORGE HAWS george.haws@nptelegraph.com T aylor Anderson, a nurse practitioner in pain management at Great Plains Health, has worked hard to get to where she is today. She has great appreciation for role models and others who have en- couraged her along the way and for the opportunity to help her patients enjoy life. Sometimes she thought, “I didn’t know it was go- ing to be this hard,” but she never considered quit- ting. “I just don’t have that attitude," Anderson said. In the end, “it was worth it.” Anderson moved to Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, and worked as a registered nurse on the medical/surgi- cal floor and intensive care unit in the Columbus hospital while working on her Master of Science in nursing. patients are going through. Helping to manage their pain, “you’re making a difference so they can enjoy life.” In 2017 Taylor met Zach Anderson, who is now her spouse. He encouraged her and helped her study while she was finishing her schooling. He has two sons, Jayce, 11, and Ty, 8. “The boys love what I do,” she said. They’re fun- ny, too. Sometimes when she gets home they’ll ask, “How many butt shots did you give today?”

During her last year of the MSN program (2017- 18), she worked part-time at a clinic in Albion. She had been applying for nurse practitioner jobs at the same time. One day she received a call about a posi- tion at Great Plains Health Pain Management Clinic. "‘I don’t know much about it (pain management),’” she answered. But she applied. On a trip to the hospital in North Platte, she met Dr. Aleeta Ann Somers-Dehaney, a pain

To people thinking of going into medicine, “I would tell them to definitely consider it," she said. "Your job is so rewarding. That’s what we’re put on Earth for — to help people.” As for Great Plains Health, “I’m glad that five years ago they gave me this op- portu- nity."

Anderson is originally from Colome, South Dako- ta, a town of about 300 people, 80 miles northeast of Valentine. As a child she became acquainted with a nurse practitioner who practiced in Gregory, 15 miles to the east, but would occasionally go to an outreach clinic in Colome. “I was very impressed with the way she cared and treated myself and my family," Anderson said. "She would go out of her way to find medications that were more affordable and other resources if needed, and was someone I looked up to and aspired to be like someday.” At 14, Anderson started working as a certified nurse assistant at a nursing home in Winner, South Dakota. From then on, "I've always worked in health care," she said. After graduating from Colome High School in 2008, she worked to save money for a couple of years, then attended Metropolitan Community College in Omaha for prerequisite courses. Her parents, Larry Zeigler and Donelle Eby, were able to help some with the cost, but she worked a lot to pay her college expenses, too. “I travelled as a CNA and also delivered papers for the Omaha World Herald. ... I would pick up papers on the weekend around 3 a.m. so that they could be delivered by 7.” “There were a lot of sleepless nights,” she said, but “I did whatever I could to get through school.” In 2011, she moved to Norfolk, where she finished prerequisites and enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program at UNMC Northern Division. She graduated and passed her state boards in 2014. During that time she continued to work as a travel- ing CNA.

management medical doctor. “I really want to be like her,” Anderson said she thought. "Her mannerisms, listening to the patients — she’s a blessing." Anderson was hired and has been working as a nurse practitioner (APRN — advanced practice regis- tered nurse) in pain management for Great Plains Health ever since.

“Pain medicine is not just the physical,” she said. "A lot of times they are dealing with depression, too. “I like spending time with my patients, figuring out

what’s triggering what.“ “Sometimes its kind of wearing on you,” she said, but “lis- tening and hearing what they’re going through is so re- warding.” Anderson was

in a car accident when she was 20, so she has an idea what her

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MAY 2023 THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH Recognizing Our Local Nurses We Salute Your Care, Compassion & Commitment NURSES

DeeAnn Jensen Kaile Tibbetts Danielle Smith Amanda Mays

Michael Alinea Andrea Clouatre Chelsea Mae Agot

Delynn Myers Rosanne Trumbull Morgan Klosen Jana Gragg Ann Ria Diaz Michelle Young Courtney McColley Kassandra Willey Fermous Gope

Ma Lourdes Gumbao Alma Vida Cortes Hannah Gartner Hillary Zysset Megan Hynes Kristi Naranjo Cherry Anne Galutan Regine Laguador Gennilee Woodburn Hayley Jenny Kelly McKay Mary Jane Cacapit Kim Roe Michelle Gutschenritter Karen Waite

Kimberly Haney Braidyn Vierra Sarah Bokoskie Sheryl Jay Sagnep Nieves Llamas Samantha Holzapfel Paula Tadlock Whitney Huebner Jami Comer

Hilary Bradley Bryar Anthony Meggan Ide

Meghan Citta Courtney Viter Alison Pavelka Derra Daly Diane Baumgartner Carrie O’Brien Jena Ziemba Mazel Shane Frigillano Heather Haneborg Annie Culangab Nathaniel Smith Natalee Little Miranda Stagemeyer Jesirae Peterson Jori Rogers Nicole Kissinger Shelley Francescato Lori Schoenholz Heidi Weir Heidi Still Rachel Mullen Kelly Anderson-Benell Ashley McNeel Robin Hager Carmen Schmoldt Breanna Steffes Staci Thompson Shantel Barta Alyssa Walker Michelle Burnett Sali Lindenberger Robyn Coker Deanna Somers Susan Caudillo Brittany Davis Katherine Wartman Tammy Niemoth

Cherry Jean Suelto Caroline Swoboda Lori Gager Pam Harvey Sara Quinn Scarlett Mijares

Kalie Beckmann Malinda Harvey Joy Fleck Kayla Heflin Stephanie Owino Alice Shea Colleen Sexson Leslie Torres Elizabeth O’Brien Kelli Grasz Rebekah Stockton Jocey Taylor Nathan Holthusen Tylan Silos Stacy Hastings McKenna Foster Denise Smith Becky Carson-Fitzgerald Phyllis Mackley Sally Brecks Lisa Glaubitz Amanda Louder Maria Lourdes Purisima Jamie Sosa Heidi Smyth Cherry Marquez Karlee Boyd Stephanie Seamann Heather Jensen Suzette Manzano

Jennifer Ranin Jennifer Hagen Kaylee Yonkers Jaimie Manka

Stephanie Schultz Jessica Thompson Taylor Anderson Teresa Martin Melissa Nemechek Chelsie Margritz Jasmine Hahn Ma Agatha Reformado

Kallie Shepherd Tasha Schroder Tamela Spies Samantha Kemp Dawn Mallory Franz Mitchelle Tahura Megan Moore Nikki Martens Neissa Becker Miseon Choe Angela Sanford Krista Struckman Micaelia Hernandez

Antonia Villani Audrey Boeser Kylin Brooks Kellie Mahanes

Philip Miller Ansley Wood Amanda Harwager Emily Maxwell

Shane Cumming Theresa Weaver Veronica Sederlin Zackary Cooper Mara Strecker Elizabeth Clair Arlene Cudia Emily Swanson

Angela Ambrose Yanina Ivanovych Liane Sprague Alfred John Dagohoy Rose Antonette Martinez Makenzie Yoshida Sierra Byrn

Randii Endorf Deborah Dike Theresa Keller Jacque Stittle Sharon Meduna Sweet Lanah Hojas Jolene Sitorius Jennifer Cook Kelsey Sellers Jennifer Lantis Tracy Fuqua Anishka Sears Kelley Flock Natasha Ekomaye Evan Pufpaff Kathryn Dailey Kyrstin Townsend Shea Baumgartner Debra Tines Trevor Blake Makenzie Yoshida Nicole Schmit Megan Hejtmanek Barbara Eshleman

Melissa Stacy Jamie Matson Ashley Streger Alissa Hankla Cristina Bravo Tammi Schram-Guernsey Emilia Pacheco Alexanne Wilkerson Alexandra Preitauer Eddielyn De Guzman Kin Mer Capiral Kaitlyn McSparren Madison Christophersen Tamara Fischer Holly Wolcott Ethan Suh Cathy Hinrichsen Lauri Swanson

Rebecca Colson Misti Hutchison Laura McWha Christina Yoshida Heidi Magpali Katherine Bruns Amy Doucet Meghan Citta Emily Michl Hannah Foster Caroline Swoboda Emma Webster Elda Socorro Veloso Lisa Hoskovec

Kayla Dotson Haylee Steffes Christine David Bernard Gallenberg Hannah Kamau Caryl Labuguen Virginia Erdman Brenda Deibert Laura Vaughan Caala Clang Tabitha Edelman

Florence Flores Brooke Rosales Karlee Schow Jennifer Suurvarik Shiloh Folchert

Sarah Roth Jaime Vang Lisa Stiffler

Lindi Bassett Halsey Fuller Candice Myers Samantha Ady

DeAnn Ostergard Stephanie Wiesen Sujin Kim Michelle Miller

Kellie Tagwerker Shawnae Vieyra Patricia Smith

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Recognizing Our Local Nurses Continued

Nicole Tomlinson RaeLynn Foster Jamie Simants Courtney Barger Kelly Stoddard Kareen Faith Talaban Tina Berglund Dezarae Herrick Lucila Duggan Elena Ramos

Jessica Williams Lauren Sexson Giavanna Anderson Chastity Orr

Terri Jones Treu Gibson Ladea Pascual Cindy Glos Karri Wallace Korrine Walczyk Heidi Erickson Lindsay Schwartz Erica Holloway Lindsey Voelkel Kelli Gandee Rebekah Archuletta Emily Rongisch Alyssa Kershaw Brandi Thompson Kierra Huebner Ashley Sandoval Robin Dailey Elizabeth Kerchal Crystal Gartrell Brianna Woods Wendy Ward Michelle Pagel Betsy Houlden Dawn Miller Morgan Andersen

Jennifer Johnston Michelle McNea Christine Beall Whitney Ruh Scott Tool Jennifer Nutter Lisa Rosenof Kari McDaniel Leah Wescoat Sonya Maassen Stacy Dotson

Kendra Lampe Jennifer Kleewein Jill Stevenson Angela Hart Becky Sonneman Cindy Pueppka Calli Pankonin Heather Frederick Tina Pate Noelle Schrag Katherine Pacheco Katie Silva Grace Nebechukwu Sylvia Mintle Jennifer Sandoz Rayan Moore Shelly Veldhuizen Arabelle Buadlart Alyson Weathers Whitney Bollinger Megan Jenik Jessica Buffington MacKenna Turner Armie Fresco Erin Pascoe Jennifer Lee

Samantha Whiley Teri Schledewitz Tom Jhon Dalisay Diana Smith Megan Schroeder Erin DeFruiter Aechille Shayne Bermejo Makayla Tetley Holly Sward Addie Schaeffer Rhonda VanSkiver Brooke Morrison Amber Rathbun Brooke Moorhead Tina Holm Ma Glynna Escabarte

Lisa Kosmacek HaLee Kramer Shiloh Folchert Teresa Donohoe Bailey Rasmussen Latoya Jones

Faith Marquez Cynthia Werner Shea Simmons Monica Mitchell Janet Wheelock Ruth Summerson Tera Riley Melissa Peterka Mary Grace Tangarorang Bermejo

Leah Pawlowski Kaycee McCoy Merry Sedlacek Amy Curtis Luzviminda Pawlowski Lindsey Powers Katie Epps Lisa Shippee Rebecca Connealy Mary Pascoe

Jewel Hampton Amber Higgins Lori Unger Beccah Mortensen Olivia Frost Skyler Simmons

Ashlee Napowsa Ronda Edwards Serena Findley Karen Anthony Shay Burns

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​Experience as a patient inspired nursing career

By GEORGE HAWS george.haws@nptelegraph.com C ourtney Viter had planned to go into the Air Force until she was in her senior year of high school. Her change of heart started when “I was playing basketball ... and ended up having to have knee surgery.” “My mom wasn’t able to go back with me" into surgery, she said. "I had to go back by myself.” As she was coming out of anesthesia, the nurse who took care of her happened to be the mother of a classmate. “It was kind of like having my mom back there with me,” Viter said. “Her caring really eased my nerves.” “I went back (into the waiting area) and my mom asked, ‘How are you doing?,’ and I said, “I’m going to be a nurse one day.”

Her mom, Jodi Wenburg, wasn’t so sure. “She told me, ‘No, you’re just on the meds.’" But Courtney was sure. Her dad, Alton Wenburg, “was a little upset that I didn’t join the military,” but he didn’t try to talk her out of it. He had been in the army, and Courtney’s grandfathers and many other family members had served in the U.S. armed forces. Both parents supported her decision. Viter attended Mid-Plains Community College and made a conscious decision to stay in rural Nebraska. She met her future husband, Cole Viter, about a year after she graduated from high school. He was in the military and soon after was deployed. “I stayed close to home, close to family," she said. "Having that support while I was going to nursing school, it really helped to get across that bridge in life. “

Now she and Cole are married and have a 2-year-old son, Hunter. “ He loves playing with my stethoscope and listening to his heart and the dogs’ hearts.” Viter completed her prerequisite classes, then enrolled in nursing school at Mid-Plains and graduated as a licensed practical nurse in 2019. “I was able to work on the ICU floor (at Great Plains Health) as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) for a year and a half while I was going to nursing school," she said. "So I got really hands-on, helping the older, experienced nurses.” She also worked as a CNA for other, smaller hospitals from 2015 to 2018. “Being a CNA and having that role experience in what the nurses do, it really opens your eyes and gives you an opportunity to see the potential that you have in the future.” With her LPN degree, Viter was hired as a progressive care unit nurse in ICU at Great Plains Health.

there, holding the IPad, letting the fam- ily Facetime,” as if she were “that other family member” for them. Viter went back to school in 2020 and earned her registered nurse degree in 2021. She was recently advanced from ICU progressive care unit nurse on the ICU floor to ICU RN. “For me it’s the passion — not only to help me grow as a person, but being there for my patients — for (their) outcome to be equal if not better” than it had been before they required the medical care. When there is that occasional grouchy patient, she said, “you’ve got to really understand what they’re going through. Sometimes it’s hard not to (get grouchy back), but you’ve just got to look at the bigger picture and realize they’re sick, they’re not in their home environment, they’re not with their loved ones.” Nursing “truly is one of the most rewarding jobs out

there,” Viter said. She is happy to be able to “have a positive im- pact on somebody else’s life.” While

“I truly love it here,” she said. “I really don’t see myself going anywhere else." COVID hit our area in 2020. “I think COVID for me really opened my eyes,” said Viter. As an LPN, “I didn’t have the ability to do the high-risk things that the RNs (registered nurses) could do,” but she was able to do a lot of things to help them “so there was less stress on them” during what otherwise was a very stressful time. She also played a

you’re “helping somebody else’s hard time get better, your pa- tients really do have a posi- tive output on you, as well.”

crucial role in support- ing patients’ f am i l i e s when no vis- itors were allowed in the hospi- tal. “I was

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Helping prevent infections

ADOBE STOCK‌

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA T pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set out to provide free resources and additional training for health care workers so that they can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. They’re calling it Project Firstline and it brings together more than 75 healthcare, academic and public health partners to help frontline health care workers protect their patients, he role nurses play in preventing infection has never been more clear than it has been since the start of the COVID-19 A closer look at Project Firstline

their coworkers and themselves from infectious disease threats. The free resources come in a variety of formats and the CDC said they are designed “to empower and enable health care workers to think critically about infection control, using adult learning principles, educational best practices, CDC recommendations and the science that informs them.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it made the medical world even more aware of the gaps in infection control knowledge and practice in healthcare settings nationwide. Project Firstline is an attempt to close those gaps. Listening to health care workers‌ The CDC committed to developing the resources hand-in-hand with health care workers, recognizing their knowledge and expertise. They asked them how they did their job and worked with them rather than dictating policy

to them. They also made it a priority to provide all of their content to all health care workers regardless of previous education, background knowledge or job status. Respecting time and bandwidth‌ Nurses work long hours and have little time available for training, especially outside of work hours. They’re often exhausted and after these past several years, many are on the verge of burnout and almost all have experienced trauma in the workplace. With this in mind, content is delivered in bite-sized segments tailored for practice and designed to be integrated into the work day. In an effort to meet healthcare workers where they are, it teaches the why behind infection control practices. The information has been translated into Spanish and several Asian

languages. Training materials and educational resources are available in many different formats, recognizing the diverse needs and learning preferences of health care nurses. They include in-person training, online training, videos, infographics, training toolkits and interactive tools. Project Firstline accomplishments‌ In the first two years since it has launched, Project Firstline and its partners have created more than 200 educational products and training materials on health care infection control. It has hosted more than 750 educational events reaching more than 65,000 health care workers. Their various platforms have received more than 84 million views. Nurses can sign up for the Project Firstline newsletter or access educational materials online.

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We salute the nurses of our region.

Making a difference and impacting lives.

Thank you for your commitment to quality care, kindness and professionalism.

601 W. Leota l North Platte, NE 69103 l 308.568.8000 l gphealth.org

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