The 2013 Nurse and CNA Excellence Awards were handed out during Nurses Week at Waldo County General Hospital. The nurse excellence award was won by Sandra Weagle RN, while Taylor Garcelon took the CNA award.
Sandra Weagle RN won the 2013 Nurse Excellence Award. Making the presentation was Director of Nursing Teri Young-Hise RN.
Weagle, who works in the Emergency Department, has been with the hospital for 22 years, while Garcelon is in her third year and works on the patient floor.
The 2013 CNA Excellence Award winner was Taylor Garcelon CNA, shown here with Director Nursing Teri Young-Hise RN.
In announcing the 2013 Nurse Excellence Award winner, Director of Nursing Teri Young-Hise RN, said of Weagle: “(She) was nominated by a peer who recognizes her as setting high standards for patient care and professionalism. She is seen as a valued colleague who serves as a good resource for others and as a leader who helps keep the patient flow moving smoothly and calmly…
“She consistently puts the patient’s safety and comfort at the top of her list of priorities. She quickly responds to special needs for equipment or services, such as requesting social work assistance, to meet the patient’s requirements beyond the obvious medical needs…
“She is a steady force in a fast-paced area providing everyone with calm, competent direction,” Young-Hise concluded.
On the nomination form, Weagle’s colleague also wrote: “She not only performs the mandatory year-to-year training within the department of education and skills, but maintains the Advanced Care Certificate recommended. She has obtained and maintained her certification as a CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and exceeds even that goal by serving as president of the ENA (Emergency Nurses Association) in a nationwide capacity.”
In making the announcement of the CNA Excellence Award winner, Young-Hise said of Garcelon: “(She) is described as a natural leader with a warm and intuitive approach that immediately puts her patients at ease. She is noted for her strong teamwork and for her collaboration with the nursing staff, consistently keeping them apprised of any changes in vital signs or in the patient’s condition…
“Patient safety and comfort is her mission. She consistently discusses her patients with the nursing team to be sure that their safety and care needs are met,” said Young-Hise.
The nurse, who nominated Garcelon for the award, wrote, “(She) brings her ‘A game’ regardless of what may be happening in her life. I have stood outside a patient’s door donning isolation garb and can hear Taylor inside the room calming a patient, laughing with a patient or settling down a patient…”
Garcelon also serves in various committees at the hospital. She is described as eager to implement new ideas and remains upbeat with change.
Finalists for the Nurse Excellence Award were, back row from left, Sandra Weagle RN, Krystal Brouty RN, and Cate Bryant RN. In front are Director of Nursing Teri Young-Hise and finalist Patty Trask RN.
The other nominees for the 2013 Nurse Excellence Award were Krystal Brouty RN, who works in the Women and Infant Health Care Unit; Cate Bryant RN, who works in the Intensive Care Unit: and Patty Trask RN, who works on the patient floor.
Nominated for the CNA Excellence Award were, back row from left, Jennifer Larrabee CNA, Taylor Garcelon CNA, Pam Ripley CNA, and Stella Littlefield CNA. In the front row, are Director of Nursing Teri Young-Hise RN, and nominees Diana Hills CNA, and Janice Boetsch CNA.
Nominated for the 2013 CNA Excellence Award were Janice Boetsch CNA, and Pam Ripley CNA, who both work on the patient floor; Diana Hills CNA in the procedure room; Jennifer Larrabee CNA in cardiac rehab; and Stella Littlefield CNA in the emergency department.
The criteria for the awards are:
• demonstration of leadership at the bedside;
• commitment to professional development; and
• dedication to high quality, safe patient and family-centered care.
This is the second year that Waldo County General Hospital has made the Nurse and CNA Excellence Awards. The winners last year were Carol Knight, LPN, and Cheryl Lucas, CNA.