Honors Clinical Team with Excellence Awards
WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center is joining the American Nurses Association (ANA) in celebration of National Nurses Month, held annually in May.
“This year the American Nurses Association has the designated theme of ‘you make a difference’ for Nurses Month,” Carol Grove, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center vice president and chief nursing officer, said. “Now, more than ever, all the ways that nurses make a difference is clearly evident. Few people can do the job our nurses do, and I am incredibly proud to be associated with the nurses here at Camden Clark.”
Camden Clark kicked off National Nurses Month on Tuesday, May 2 with its annual Nurse Excellence Luncheon where the following award winners were announced:
- RN of the Year - Missy Dolly (2 North)
- RN Rookie of the Year - Ryan Kerns (4 North)
- LPN of the Year - Melissa Reed (Nephrology)
- CMA of the Year - Stephanie Piggott (Internal Medicine)
- PCT of the Year - Kim Null (1 East)
In observance of National Nurses Month, the Camden Clark Foundation will also host a luncheon on Friday, May 5 honoring the alumnae from the former Camden Clark School of Nursing. Two $2,000 nursing scholarships will be presented at the luncheon, in memory of former director of nursing, Ella Bloomheart, and grateful patient, Barbara Fonte. Local college students pursuing nursing degrees or currently employed RNs furthering their education are eligible for the scholarships.
In addition to celebrations taking place throughout the month, Camden Clark will continue to honor nurses during National Nurses Week, which is held annually beginning on May 6 and ending May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
“At WVU Medicine, our 10,000 nurses make an incredible difference in the lives of our patients every day. Whether they are providing care at the bedside of an inpatient, seeing patients at one of our outpatient clinics, or visiting patients in their homes, our nurses are the backbone of the care we provide,” Melanie Heuston, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., chief nursing executive for the WVU Health System, said. “Their hard work and professionalism are appreciated not just this month but all year long.”
The ANA estimates that the demand for registered nursing services – which constitute the nation’s largest healthcare profession – will be greater than ever because of the aging of the American population, emerging health challenges, the continuing expansion of life-sustaining technologies, and the explosive growth of home healthcare services.
In addition, more qualified registered nurses are needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of healthcare consumers, and the cost-effective, safe, and high-quality healthcare services provided by registered nurses will be an increasingly important component of the United States healthcare delivery system in the future.
At WVU Medicine Camden Clark, newly hired nurses who accept job offers in qualifying positions through the end of the year receive a sign-on bonus. All employees, regardless of hire date, receive competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes student loan forgiveness up to $437.50 month and tuition reimbursement for themselves and their children when attending WVU or any other accredited college or university.
Direct care nurses at WVU Medicine Camden Clark are also eligible to participate in the Clinical Advancement for Professional Excellence (CAPE) Program, a system-wide clinical advancement program (clinical ladder) to enhance professional development, provide a reward system for quality clinical performance, promote quality nursing, and improve job satisfaction for inpatient direct care nurses.
Camden Clark is currently hiring nursing positions. For more information and to apply, visit camdenclarknurses.org.
Pictured below from left to right, Missy Dolly, Kim Null, Melissa Reed, Stephanie Piggott, Ryan Kerns and Carol Grove.
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