‘It takes a team.’ With Nebraska Medicine, acute care nurses find sense of community

Listed below are tales from three Omaha-area nurses who discovered their objective with Nebraska Drugs.

“When COVID first began, it was essential to roll with the punches and never lose hope. Even once you’re flying by the seat of your pants,” says Makida Brooks, RN. She tailored rapidly to assist sufferers whereas defending her household from the virus. She remembers altering her scrubs in her storage and tossing them within the washer earlier than greeting her household.

Brooks says each models she’s labored with – 6/7 Lied and Remark – have had wonderful teamwork, which has made all of the distinction. “We’re very supportive of one another and really tuned into realizing what the following individual wants. There’s a way of accountability and care – not only for our sufferers, however our co-workers as effectively.”

In preparation for her first nursing job, Brooks remembers Nebraska Drugs as her best choice. “Numerous hospitals don’t rent affiliate diploma nurses. However that is thought-about one of the best place to be. I stepped out on religion and utilized. Nebraska Drugs not solely employed me, however in addition they are serving to me get my BSN. I’m so grateful my dream of bedside nursing got here true.”

Brooks’ three little women are pleased with her, too. They inform folks, “I wish to be a nurse similar to my mommy.”

Some nurses began their careers proper earlier than the pandemic began, like Madelyn Cox, BSN, RN. Cox affords this recommendation to new nurses: assume optimistic intent.

“Whether or not with co-workers, sufferers, physicians or anybody else – at all times assume they’ve one of the best in thoughts. In the case of affected person care, we’re all on the identical crew. Assuming optimistic intent avoids miscommunication.”

That, and keep versatile. “Issues get arduous, days are nerve-racking and staffing is tough. However in case you keep versatile and drift, it makes issues quite a bit simpler,” Cox says.

After just lately turning into a mom, Cox appreciates the priority and care from her nursing colleagues. “Engaged on a COVID unit whereas 9 months pregnant was extremely exhausting. My co-workers at all times made certain I used to be taking good care of myself and my child, which was so comforting. I by no means felt like I wanted to push by.”

“The Nebraska Drugs tradition is actually particular,” says Cox. “It’s cool to see what number of totally different multidisciplinary groups come collectively to supply affected person care. Sufferers come from lots of of miles away to see our specialists – respiratory therapists, physicians, occupational therapists, bodily therapists, social staff, nutritionists, nursing and so many extra – pull collectively and get one of the best outcomes.”

Marianne Brouwer, BSN, RN, has labored for Nebraska Drugs for a decade and echoes Brooks’ and Cox’s crew mentality. “I really feel that our teamwork right here can’t be beat,” says Brouwer. “I’ve been to different hospitals for clinicals again in nursing college and made a degree to look at how they work as a crew. It’s simply not the identical.”

And that crew mentality extends to new colleagues, too. “All of us keep in mind what it’s wish to be a brand new nurse; it may be terrifying and overwhelming,” says Brouwer. “I like to make our new colleagues and nurses comfy and really feel at residence proper off the bat. Everyone seems to be extremely welcoming to our new nurses and new workers.”

Brouwer’s pleasure in her career is obvious. “I keep in mind seeing nurses sporting their “Critical Drugs. Extraordinary Care” T-shirts whereas I used to be in nursing college. I couldn’t wait to put on one! I keep in mind placing mine on for the primary time and looking out within the mirror, considering how proud I used to be. Ten years later, I nonetheless really feel the identical means.”