Twelve years ago, White River Medical Center (WRMC) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Mandy Tedeschi made a decision that started her on a journey down a road she never thought she would be able to walk.
In 1998, Mandy, her husband Chris, and son, C.J., moved to Arkansas from California to support and care for her mother who was battling breast cancer.
Mandy and her husband landed a job in a factory in Melbourne. The work was hard and the conditions were less than comfortable. Although she felt fortunate to be able to provide for her family, Mandy felt like she should be doing something more, but she was hindered by her lack of financial resources and uncertainty about what that particular something was.
“There just aren’t a lot of opportunities for people without an education,” she says.
Mandy worked at the factory for nearly six years until her husband was promoted. Although she always thought it was unfathomable, she made the life-changing decision to quit her job at the factory and pursue a college degree.
“I’m not a high school graduate, “she said, “my parents were blue collar. I just never thought of myself as a college student.”
When her husband suggested nursing school, she saw an exciting opportunity to better herself as well as an opportunity to help others. She admits that, as a child, she believed nursing would be something she would enjoy.
The decision to become a nurse put her on a path to the nursing program at Ozarka College in Melbourne. She graduated in May of 2004 and, shortly after, joined WRMC as an LPN. In 2010, Mandy was awarded the Bonnie J. Bernard Scholarship presented by the White River Health System Foundation. The scholarship, established by Dick and the late Bonnie Bernard, is awarded to one LPN each year to help them advance their education despite lack of financial resources.
Mandy is currently working toward an Associates of Arts in Science Degree in Nursing and hopes to one day get her Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification. Certification recognizes nurses that have reached a higher level in their expertise by possessing critical-thinking skills and knowledge in their specific areas of nursing. Currently, 58 WRMC nurses are nationally certified.
“I am extremely proud of our nurses and their desire to be the absolute best,” says Chief Nursing Officer Dede Strecker, MSN, RN.
As a nurse at WRMC, Mandy is grateful for the opportunity to excel in her profession by giving back to others. Working in the float pool at WRMC allows her to work where she is needed and care for all kinds of patients. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Every day, I thank God for the opportunity to come here and provide care to others,” she said, “I’m thankful to be a part of the WRMC nursing staff. It’s such a great team that truly takes initiative when it comes to caring for patients.”
As a WRMC nurse, Mandy is part of a team on a journey toward excellence. The journey involves WRMC’s goal to achieve one of the nation’s highest nursing recognitions for an organization—Magnet Designation.
WRMC’s mission is to provide patients with the best quality medical care possible. Obtaining Magnet designation will help achieve their mission. Magnet designation recognizes excellence in nursing and identifies healthcare organizations that epitomize outstanding quality and professionalism. The Magnet Recognition Program (MRP) challenges organizations to take a closer look at structures and processes in order to improve patient outcomes. It also works with organizations to help nurses excel by encouraging professional development, shared leadership (giving bedside nurses a voice in decisions that affect their practice), and patient-family centered care. Magnet Recognition is a tool to guide WRMC into the future. However, obtaining Magnet designation is not an easy feat.
“Attaining Magnet designation is a process that takes three to five years to accomplish,” says Michelle Bishop, MSN, RN at WRMC. WRMC has been working on this project for nearly 2 years.
WRMC is on the path to become a hospital of excellence, not just to achieve magnet designation, but, according to Bishop, “because it’s the right thing to do for our patients and our community.”
If you are interested in becoming a part of a team that strives for excellence, consider nursing. It just might lead you down a road you never expected—towards a life of fulfillment and excellence.