Three years ago the hospital where I started my nursing career as an ICU nurse 25 years ago, reopened after being closed for two years. I accepted the Director of Nursing position and officially returned to my nursing "home". I already knew the stigma associated with working in a "little" hospital, whose mission is to provide quality care to the medically underserved. However, I was shocked at how few resources are available to nurses who choose to work in small rural hospitals.
There was no roadmap, no blueprint available to guide us. I am blessed to work for an organization where our CEO is committed to providing both health care and any other type of assistance that we are able to our small community. I am equally blessed to work with an administrative team that is dedicated to our mission and willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.
We continue to struggle to break even as we negotiate the constantly changing health care environment. We have managed to add needed services to the community despite our difficulties.
Three years ago we opened with 10 staffed Medical beds and a 5 bay ER. Today we provide the following services:
My hope is that by blogging some of my experiences other nurses who choose to work in rural areas will have at least a starting point for where to go for help.
There was no roadmap, no blueprint available to guide us. I am blessed to work for an organization where our CEO is committed to providing both health care and any other type of assistance that we are able to our small community. I am equally blessed to work with an administrative team that is dedicated to our mission and willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.
We continue to struggle to break even as we negotiate the constantly changing health care environment. We have managed to add needed services to the community despite our difficulties.
Three years ago we opened with 10 staffed Medical beds and a 5 bay ER. Today we provide the following services:
- 25 bed inpatient Medical Unit
- 10 bed Distinct Part Psych Unit
- Primary Care Clinic with 5 providers averaging 2500 patient encounters per month
- Outpatient Endoscopy
- MRI
- Outpatient Pain Management Clinic
- Specialized Rehabilitative Services Inpatient and Outpatient
- Limited Echocardiography Services
- EHR/EMR roll out began in September 2010
- CPOE roll out March 2011
- In process of completing our Health Facilities Accreditation Program.
- In process of completing our prep for becoming a designated Level IV Trauma Service.
- In process of completing our Swing Bed Certification
My hope is that by blogging some of my experiences other nurses who choose to work in rural areas will have at least a starting point for where to go for help.
