Newman gets it right
Deb Hertel, R.N.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I AM PROUD to say I work at Newman Regional Health. I graduated from Newman School of Nursing and have recently returned to Emporia after a 33-year absence. I have worked in many hospitals throughout the Midwest, and am very impressed with Newman.
A tremendous nursing shortage is projected within the next 5-10 years, and is already significantly present in some areas of the country. It is difficult to recruit to a smaller town, when the wages are better in metropolitan areas. The cost of a college education has escalated to the point that many students are in debt for years, or they can’t attend at all.
Young people finishing college or medical schools have a different work ethic than the previous generation. They have seen their parents work all three shifts, weekends, holidays and miss out on many activities their children participated in. These young nurses and doctors may not be so wrong in expecting better hours and less call time. They are also going to metropolitan areas because of Hospitalists, internal medicine physicians employed by a hospital to provide 24-hour care, reducing call time and multiple interruptions at night.
Newman is current with all major quality and safety initiatives being set throughout the nation. I was pleasantly surprised that Newman is equal to the 400-bed hospital I just came from, in implementing these national safety and quality efforts.
Newman’s administration is available at a moment’s notice to help manage problems, whether it’s an ice storm or a concern from a patient. I have never had to wait to talk to any of the administrators. I would have waited days to talk to an administrator at my previous place of employment. The positive way in which Newman conducts business is a breath of fresh air.
Deb Hertel, R.N.
Emporia