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Nursing at Texas Children's Hospital
Two nurses from the nation’s
largest freestanding pediatric hospital are studying ways to reduce
stress and improve competence in the neonatology and emergency care
units.
Pearl Boone, a registered nurse in
Texas Children’s Newborn Center® and Robbye Willoughby, a registered
nurse with Texas Children’s Gordon Emergency Center, recently
received Texas Children’s first nursing sabbaticals.
“A sabbatical is a financially
supported, time-limited leave provided to a registered nurse to
complete projects that will enhance patient care and improve
organizational performance,” said Myrtle Williams, director of
clinical training and development at Texas Children’s. “We’re
excited to see what these nurses learn and what we can implement to
further enhance the quality of care, service and work life.”
The nursing sabbatical program offers
registered nurses with at least 15 years of experience at Texas
Children’s the opportunity to meet individual professional goals
while contributing to departmental and potentially hospital-wide
performance.
Boone received $5,000 for her
sabbatical project, which will measure what impact the noise levels
in the neonatal nurseries have on stress levels of health
professionals.
Willoughby received $15,000 for her
sabbatical project, which will provide instruction and job aids to
emergency center nurses and help them maintain their proficiency in
select critical-care skills.
The sabbaticals are underwritten by The
Auxiliary to Texas Children’s – the largest volunteer group at the
hospital, which has actively supported the hospital since it opened
its doors in 1954.
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Texas Children’s recently honored
two highly dedicated nurses for their outstanding patient care and
leadership abilities in shaping the next generation of caregivers.
Susie Castillo and Mary Sally Jusa were named Nurse of the Year and
Preceptor of the Year for 2002, respectively.
The Nurse of the Year award, made
possible by an anonymous donor through the Junior League of Houston,
has been awarded to bedside nurses since 1985. The award recognizes
an outstanding nurse who exemplifies excellence in a staff
nurse/bedside caregiver role based on professional development
efforts, being a team player and delivering family-centered care.
“I think it’s teamwork that really sets
Texas Children’s apart,” Castillo said. “I really feel like my
co-workers are my second family.”
A registered nurse and mentor to other
nurses, Castillo has been at Texas Children’s since 1993.
Castillo serves on several unit-based
committees at Texas Children’s. She is also a member of the parish
nurse ministry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in League City and is a
member of the Clear Lake Independent School District Health Advisory
Board. Castillo received her bachelor’s of science degree from the
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and is a certified
pediatric nurse.
The Preceptor of the Year award,
established in 2001, recognizes an experienced role model and
learning facilitator who assists employees in mastering skills
required for successful job performance and satisfaction.
“You have to have a good attitude and a
good system to make it work,” said Jusa. “Everything else will
adjust into place. You can’t bring things to work with you – you
totally need to focus on what is going on around you.”
Jusa, a nurse in Texas Children’s
outpatient same-day surgery suite, has been with the hospital since
1992. She precepts RN-interns during their rotations in
Ophthalmology service to learn in a circulating role before, during
and after surgery.
Jusa received her bachelor’s of science
degree in nursing in the Philippines in 1980. Before coming to
Houston, she lived in New York.
Kathy McKillop, BSN, RN,
was named a finalist in
the innovation/creativity category for the third annual Nursing
Excellence Awards by Nursing Week magazine. McKillop,
clinical training and development coordinator for the hospital's
nursing staff, was honored at the Excellence in Nursing awards
banquet in Dallas. McKillop began her career in nursing at Texas
Children's Hospital in 1991 after graduating from Houston Baptist
University.
  
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