EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARDS 2018
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARDS
Seeing the nurses caring for patients of
the highest acuity, not letting up despite
physical and emotional fatigue and
CONTINUING TO SHOW UP
DAY AFTER DAY WAS
INSPIRATIONAL.
NURSE LEADER OF THE YEAR
Judith Lynch, CCRN, MS, BSN
Clinical Manager ICU at the Miriam Hospital
HOW DID YOU GET INTO NURSING?
My mother was a nurse and she was my inspiration. She often shared
how fulfilling a career it was for her, so I wanted to experience that
as well. I started my professional career as a respiratory therapist and
loved it. However, I wanted to do more — to take care of the entire
patient and not just focus on the respiratory system. So, I decided to
enroll in a nursing program. I knew it was right; I felt complete.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A NURSE LEADER?
I love watching my team develop over time and seeing each individual
contribute to the larger team. When building my team, it becomes
stronger from the individual skills and personal attributes each member
brings and that allows for continued growth. Also, as a leader, I can
directly and indirectly affect patient outcomes.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STANDOUT PATIENT MEMORIES?
A few years back, we had patients return to the hospital to share stories
about their hospital stay. A majority of the discussion focused on their
medical care. However, my most important takeaway was the
psychological piece. One patient shared his story of the number of
squiggles he had counted on the ceiling tile above his bed. Despite
knowing his medical history, I had no idea that was how he spent his
days in the ICU. To say I was saddened is an understatement. I
immediately sprang into action and had scenic ceiling tiles placed in
the ICU patient rooms. I learned that we need to ensure we provide
care to the whole patient.
WHAT EFFECT HAS COVID-19 HAD
ON YOU AS A NURSE?
One of the biggest challenges during the pandemic has
been learning new information and sharing knowledge
at the same time. As this is new for all of us, it has been
imperative that we give clear messages to staff during
the times of rapid change to ensure they are as informed
as possible. In my forty years of practice, I have never
seen the high acuity for the length of time that we did.
The all-hands-on-deck approach was humbling. Seeing
the nurses caring for patients of the highest acuity, not
letting up despite physical and emotional fatigue and
continuing to show up day after day, was inspirational.
TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT.
I am really proud of our ICU achieving Beacon Gold. It was the first
time at the Miriam Hospital, as well as in Rhode Island, that a hospital
unit had achieved Beacon Gold status. The bigger accomplishment
with this recognition was that the process and work was driven by
clinical nurses. I facilitated the first several meetings to provide
guidance and support and then the clinical nurses took off from there.
They shared stories of the care they delivered and the outcomes they
achieved. I am proud that they were able to share their story from
their viewpoint. The chronicles of their daily work not only reflected
the culture here at the Miriam Hospital, but also highlighted the high
level of empowerment and autonomy nurses have in their practice.
NOMINATOR
BUZZ
“Judy’s expertise as a leader is felt in all spectrums
of health care. Judy excels at listening,
not only to the staff, but also to the patients
and their families.”
— Nancy Bushy, the Miriam Hospital
70 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l OCTOBER 2020