EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARDS 2024
CLINICAL PRACTICE NURSE
ELIZABETH LEPAGE , RN , BSN , PMH-BC
Behavioral Health Patient Navigator , the Miriam Hospital
What is unique about your job ? Our emergency department does not have a designated behavioral health treatment area . I oversee the treatment course and assist with providing nursing care to behavioral health / substance use patients . Nurses and clinicians approach me to seek guidance on treatment and to express concerns for this population . I bring these concerns to the leadership ’ s attention and provide possible solutions to improve processes and safety . I support these patients and staff in any way to provide safety and enrich their experience .
What are the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of your role ?
One of the scariest and potentially life-threatening events is violent restraints . My verbal de-escalation techniques have enhanced and avoided some violent restraints . The challenge is allowing an inconvenient amount of time for the verbal de-escalation process to work — emergency room nurses are managing medically unstable patients where time is of the essence . I help alleviate this challenge for staff and de-escalate the situation with the least-restrictive approach .
What are you most proud of in your career ?
Honestly , winning this award . I was shocked when my boss told me she nominated me . It was such an honor to receive this level of recognition from a credible professional nurse leader . She ’ s always encouraging me to keep striving . When I read her nomination , I started crying . Sometimes you do not realize how much people see in you and what you ’ ve accomplished . Being selected to receive this award is something I never thought I would experience and I ’ m extremely grateful .
74 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2024