Six Wayne nurses named to state's top 100 list
By Laura Collins
Published in News on August 8, 2010 1:50 AM
Six nurses from Wayne Memorial Hospital have been named as part of this year's Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.
The nurses were nominated by their peers and then screened by a statewide professional standards committee. Kathleen Harwell, Great 100 board of directors president, said this year over 500 nominations were submitted from across the state.
"This is a once in a lifetime honor for the nurses," she said.
The award recipients at Wayne Memorial Hospital are: Jana Blackman, health promotions, Jeff Brogneaux, nursing informatics, Valerie Davis, surgery, Bonnie Sisko, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, Donna Wimberly, nursing administration and Karen Yarbrough, pediatrics.
"We are very proud of them for all that they do for patients here at Wayne Memorial Hospital; always showing compassion and professionalism," said Shirley Harkey, vice president of patient services.
Ms. Harkey said Wayne Memorial Hospital consistently has had several nurses honored by the Great 100 and averages two or three each year.
"The fact that we always have nurses included speaks very well for the quality and dedication represented throughout our entire nursing staff," she said.
Several of the honored nurses said the award was both surprising and flattering.
"I think it's really cool," said Brogneaux, a 16-year employee at Wayne Memorial. "I was very surprised to get a letter in the mail saying I had been accepted as one of the Great 100. I was really tickled to be selected. It's validation of all the work I've done over the years."
Ms. Davis, a 17-year employee at the hospital, said she's honored but added that with or without the award, she loves her job.
"I was surprised and really honored to be recognized by my fellow peers as one of the Great 100 nurses," she said. "I love my profession because where I'm at now I get (patients) ready for surgery. They are usually nervous, but we get to see the end product when they come back from surgery and feel better. It's very rewarding."
Fellow award recipient, Ms. Sisko, agreed the job is rewarding. Ms. Sisko works in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation currently and has been a nurse at the hospital for 18 years. Her situation is unique because she had been a patient in the same department she now works as a nurse.
"I like helping people and I like that the job I'm doing I've actually been a patients in the program when I had heart surgery," she said. "So I can relate to the patients and I practice what I preach."
Ms. Wimberly, assistant vice president of patient care, has been at Wayne Memorial Hospital for nearly four years. She said that while the award is an honor for her, it's also an honor for the hospital as a whole.
"I'm very happy that Wayne Memorial Hospital had six recipients out of the 100 spread across North Carolina," she said. "I believe that we strive daily to uphold what this award means."
As part of the nomination application, nominators had to list the nurses' professional involvement, how they promote and advance the profession of nursing, how they demonstrate integrity, honesty and accountability, how they display commitment to patients, families and colleagues, how they demonstrate caring and assist others to grow and develop, how they radiate energy and enthusiasm, and what makes them outstanding.
All 100 nurses will be officially recognized at a black tie gala Sept. 18 at the Greensboro Coliseum.