Holy Cow - Look at all those new staff!

PICU and 7C teams,

I just wanted to make you aware of all of the new staff we have starting this month into early October.

7C

Alex Harper, RN - 9/7 core
Kimberly Hunadi, RN - 9/22 core

PICU
Kana Watanabe, RN - 9/7 core
Kristen Buchanan, RN - 9/7 core

PICU Travelers - 13 week contracts
Cara Kummer, RN - 9/15
Ellie Hammond, RN - 10/6

In addition, we already have Marissa Joiner, RN orienting in the PICU and Julie Lara, RN orienting on 7C.  Also, Benjamin Woodhouse, RN and Rachel Wyatt, RN just completed orientation to PICU.  On 7C, Shana Bullard, RN, Kelly Carbone, RN, and Tina Evangelista, PCT are recent additions.

Please give them a warm welcome.  Most of them will do orientation on day shift.  If it starts to get crowded, we will switch up, but days gives them a better view of the big picture.  I expect everyone to be kind and to understand that the "good" assignments may be hard to come by for the next 2-3 months.  This is the sacrifice we must make to ensure successful orientations and a return to safe staffing levels.....and to move people up on the seniority (i.e. get to day shift or work fewer holidays) lists.

Thank you to all of you who have so graciously offered to precept.  ALL of these RNs have pediatric experience...some with step-down and PICU.

If you are looking for extra money for the holidays....go into kronos and sign up for some open shifts, before we are fully staffed again!

Thanks for your patience, support, and understanding.  I am so thankful to have such great units that people are lining up to take jobs with us!!!!  You guys ROCK.

M

Another CPN for 7C!!!

Congratulations to Amanda Smith who obtain CCRN certification a few weeks ago!!!  So proud of you,
Amanda!

Congratulations!!!!

We have several things to celebrate of late:

1.  A very belated congratulations to JULIE TAYLOR for completing her BSN!!!!

2.  Way to go KELLY GROMMERSCH LYNCH - our newest CPN certified RN!

3.  Congratulations to PICU for winning $100 for no CAUTI in July.  We will use the money to buy more k-cups for the Keurig.

New CH IV Policy

7C and PICU RNs,

We will be rolling out a new CH IV policy next week.  Prior to that time, you need to take a very short survey in CATTS.  It is only 5 questions and takes about 3 minutes.  Starting next week, you will see education materials distributed outlining the policy changes.  It will not make much of a practice change for our units, but will hopefully keep CH patients from being stuck so many times before an expert IV clinician or MD is called.

Please let me know if you have questions.  Thanks in advance for doing the CATTS survey.

Melinda