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Members on the Move
Honors
Jeanette Vaughan, RN, MSN, CCRN, was named
Distinguished Alumni for 2001 by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,
Lubbock. Vaughan is a dental hygiene professor at Collin County Community
College District, Plano, Texas, and a member of the Division of NeuroSciences/Trauma
at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas.
Cherie Gorby, RN, AA, MSN, CCRN, senior
administrator of patient care at Memorial Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo., has
been selected as a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows
Program. She is one of 20 nurses nationwide selected to participate in the
three-year program, which includes a $30,000 grant for a research project, as
well as opportunities for education and national exposure. Gorby, who joined
Memorial Hospital 15 years ago as an ICU-coronary care unit nurse, has also been
clinical manager of the CCU and perinatology and director of maternal child
services.
Professional
Rose Ann Rupert, RN, BSN, CCRN, CRNI, recently
achieved certification in infusion therapy. She was also nominated for the
Nightengale Award in Hershey, Pa.
Juliet A. Santos, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS-FNP, is a
cofounder and current president of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners.
In addition to practicing full time, Santos is involved in medical missionary
work, most recently in Aizawl, India.
Kevin Reed, RN, MSN, CNA, recently passed his
CNA certification exam. Reed is director of clinical operations for
neuroscience/critical care at Clarian Health Partners-Methodist Hospital,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Richard Nadan, RN, MS, CCRN, ACNP-BC, has been
promoted to chief nurse practitioner for the Section of Cardiovascular and
Thoracic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City.
Academic
Sharon K. Lucus, RN, BSN, MS, CCRN, EMT,
received her master of science degree with a focus in nurse anesthesia from the
Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, Nashville, after completing the certified
registered nurse anesthetist program. As one of the top three members of the
class, Lucus received the Bernard Bowen Award for Academic and Clinical
Excellence from the faculty of affiliated hospital clinicals.
Jan Foster, RN, PhD, CCRN, immediate past
secretary/treasurer of the AACN Certification Corporation Board of Directors,
received her doctorate degree in nursing from the University of Texas-Austin.
She was selected from among all the university�s graduate colleges to receive
the �Outstanding Graduate Student� award.
Tell us about your recent promotion, honor, accomplishment,
volunteer activity or academic achievement.Send to AACN News, 101 Columbia,
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; phone, (800) 809-2273, ext. 502; fax, (949) 362-2049;
e-mail, aacnnews@aacn.org. Photos are welcome.
Missionary Experience Reaffirmed Decision
to Pursue a Career in Nursing
By Kelly Johnston, RN, MSN, CCRN
In August 2001, I combined my love of nursing,
missionary work and travel by joining the Christian Medical and Dental
Association and Prison Fellowship team on a two-week medical mission to
Ethiopia, Africa, where we provided medical, dental and spiritual care to
prisoners.
Our team consisted of 22 people from 12 states
and included nurses; general surgeons; an ENT physician; a pediatrician; an
optometrist; internists; nursing, medical and dental students; and nonmedical
members to help with logistics. We worked closely with the Prison Fellowship
group, which provided translators and arranged for local volunteer physicians,
nurses, students and pastors to work alongside us.
We provided medical-surgical care to more than
1,500 prisoners, dental care to 240 and fitted more than 450 prisoners for
eyeglasses. Because medical technology was minimal or, in some cases,
nonexistent, we had to rely on our physical assessment skills. We also had to be
creative with our supplies. For example, we used camera film cases to dispense
liquid medications and stored dressing supplies in medication boxes.
We used an empty saline bag to make a leg bag
for a prisoner who had been using a suprapubic catheter for several months.
Previously, the extension tubing went from the catheter to a plastic bottle,
which he carried in a pan. We cut off the tip of the saline bag injection port
and inserted the extension tubing, which we cut most of. Then, we used gauze
roll to make the leg straps. He was thrilled to throw away the bottle and pan
and walk with his new leg bag.
We also created a container to perform ear
washes by cutting off the top of a liter water bottle, cutting a �U� shape in
the side and padding the rough edges with duct tape.
The prisoners, who were grateful and hospitable
toward us, helped their fellow inmates. We learned a lot from each other, the
Ethiopian medical and spiritual team as well as the prisoners.
This experience was life changing, both
personally and professionally, and confirmed my decision to become a nurse and
make a difference in people�s lives. The prisoners were deeply touched that we
came to help them. The memories of this experience are forever etched in my
heart.
Kelly Johnston is the nurse recruiter for the
Ann Arbor VA Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Mich
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