Green started at Washington Regional as a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery. While working, she attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing. She worked on the floor in the hospital and then was promoted to a clinical education role. The next promotion was to Clinical Director and then to Director of Women and Infants Services.
“ There is room for growth at Washington Regional,” Green said.“ There is great support for all. We have tuition reimbursement for employees who meet certain criteria. We offer great opportunities for employees to invest in their education.”
Washington Regional also invests in helping employees adapt to what can be a demanding career.
“ It’ s hard for people to come into health care with no other job experience,” Bowman said.“ The responsibilities are hard. Some people struggle through that.”
According to Bowman, a program that could help is M * A * S * H, or Medical Applications of Science for Health. The program, operated by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is a two-week summer camp that introduces high school students to health careers. Participants use hands-on activities to learn medical procedures such as heart dissection and suturing.
That’ s why Washington Regional offers an RN Residency program to help newly graduated registered nurses become confident and competent care providers in real-life situations.
“ We help them discover their own strengths and weaknesses,” Bowman said.“ We want to keep them in nursing and give them support if they feel overwhelmed.”
“ The program helps them feel confident, competent and part of the team,” Green added.“ They are ready and prepared as a nurse.”
Those interested in a future career in health care can prepare themselves by studying sciences such as biology and chemistry, Bowman said. High schools that offer medical classes can also give a student a foundation, she added.
“ Have a work commitment before graduation,” Bowman said.“ Health care is unique. It’ s very hard but very rewarding.”
Health care reflects who you are as opposed to the work you do, Percival said.
“ Coming out of high school is the time to step up your focus on how to be successful in your career,” Percival said.“ Education is huge.”
Education can also help employees learn more about the quality patient care Washington Regional is committed to.
For example, Washington Regional provides advanced options to treat stroke and other brain disorders as the first health care provider in Benton and Washington counties to earn Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Washington Regional’ s Walker Heart Institute features an accredited Chest Pain Center and 11 board-certified cardiologists.
The hospital also provides advanced emergency care. Its Emergency Department is a designated Level 2 Trauma Center, providing the highest level of emergency care in Northwest Arkansas. The expert care provided by its Total Joint Center led Washington Regional to be named one of America’ s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery.
To see all current job openings at Washington Regional and apply online, visit wregional. force. com / careers.
“ Find your passion and chase it,” Percival said.“ If your passion is health care, we can help. You can go as far as you want to in the health care professions.”
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