Nurse Magnet Recognition at Lexington

Contributions of Professional Nursing at Baptist Health Lexington

Since 2005, Baptist Health Lexington has been a  Magnet® facility designated through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is the highest recognition for nursing excellence worldwide. Serving as a model of nursing excellence in 2018, Baptist Health was the first community hospital system to have both Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence® credentials at all nine facilities.  Supporting the Baptist Health mission, vision and values, the Magnet® credential shows  the excellent level of work from nursing.  It also confirms the commitment and contributions of nursing at all levels to sustain excellence in professional practice, care delivery and health outcomes. Nurses continually strive to raise the bar of professional practice through individual and group contributions by: 

• Having higher levels of nursing education; 
• Obtaining nursing certifications; 
• Publishing nurse-led and co-led research studies and quality initiatives in peer reviewed journals; and 
• Volunteering in community outreach programs and population health initiatives at the local, regional, and state level. 

These contributions describe the culture of nursing within the facility, and the resolve of nursing staff to provide the highest quality patient and family-centered care.

Advancing Higher Levels of Nursing Education

In 2010, the Institute of Medicine made a national goal for all healthcare organizations  that involved 80% of  nursing  staff  to have a baccalaureate degree (or higher) in nursing  (IOM, 2011). Higher levels of education improves the ability of nurses  to meet demands of the current healthcare system and improve patient care results. To meet  this  goal, Baptist Health Lexington provides resources to support nurses returning to college programs. Through monies provided for tuition and use of flexible scheduling, a large volume of RNs and LPNs have advanced their education to the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate level over the past several years. As of end-year 2022, 72.7% of all RNs earned a baccalaureate degree or higher- an increase of 6.1% over the past five years even during the  COVID-19 pandemic (see Figure 1).

Obtaining National Nursing Certifications

Baptist Health Lexington provides access to various internal and external professional development resources for RNs at all levels who pursue national nursing certification.  Having certification in a specialty area reflects a high level of professionalism, knowledge, and expert skills in a specific  area of care. In addition, applying knowledge gained through national certification supports high levels of patient safety outcomes. As of end-2022, 291 Baptist Health Lexington nurses achieved and/or maintained national certification. The following table identifies a comprehensive list of those national certifications recognized by the ANCC (see Table 1):

Table 1: Current List of National Certifications Held by Baptist Health Lexington Nurses

Nursing Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Additional proof of nursing activities that improve nursing care within the community served include articles written in peer-reviewed, national, and international journals. These writings represent scholarly efforts of nursing to lead, co-lead, or actively participate in research and quality initiatives that improve patient care and the work environment. Coordinated by expert staff in the Baptist Health Lexington Nursing & Allied Health Research Office, nursing at all levels participates in research including inpatient or outpatient staff. The educational levels of staff performing research range from associate to doctoral degrees in nursing. Using our Medical Library and Institutional Review Board, nurse professionals work together with other hospital staff to explore new ways to improve nursing activities. Publishing outcomes from the studies show contributions of the profession by sharing new knowledge about patient and family centered care around the world.

Since 2008, nursing and members of the healthcare team disseminated 108 publications in a wide variety of peer-reviewed journals. In addition, these publications are cited in other published writings from other healthcare experts in 44 states in the U.S. and 64 countries worldwide. In 2018, the former Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer and Nursing & Allied Health Research Office worked together to capture and showcase the strength of the hospital’s program and research in a book titled, Establishing a Research Friendly Environment: A Hospital-Based Approach (Brockopp, Hill, Bugasjki, & Lengerich, 2018). The book highlights the strength of the program and inclusion of nursing and allied health staff at all levels regardless of educational level. Sharing new information to the nursing community sets us apart as an international leader in in nursing research. Of the total current number of publications, 79 involved Baptist Health Lexington nurses who either led or co-lead individual studies (e.g., clinical nurses, nurse educators, directors, researcher, and administrators highlighted below; see Table 2).

Table 2: Baptist Health Lexington Publications from Nursing & Members of the Healthcare Team (2008-23)

2023

Lewis, CP., Schenkenfelder, R., Davies, M., Monroe, M., Acton, D., Phillips, T. (2023). Developing the Baptist Health Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Phase 1: Exploring Risk Factors. Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(9), 438-444. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001313

2022

Davies, C.C., Monroe, M., Brockopp, D., Beckman, D. (2022). Challenges as an Increasing Number of Nurses Seek Graduate Degrees – Editorial in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Journal. 283-284.

Wheeler, P., Barron, K., Koepke, N., LeMaster, T., Myers, S., Ryan, J., Stinnett, K., Yackzan, S., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. Difference in Patient Satisfaction with Postoperative Bras and Drain Securement Methods Among Women Undergoing Mastectomy. Accepted Nursing Management.

Hobbs, K., Davies, C.C., Monroe, M. The effect of an educational intervention on nurse knowledge of medication management for acute pain crises in patients with cancer. JONS Essentials, 26 (5); 559 – 563.

Glass, A., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. Influence of a multidisciplinary STOMA team approach on distress, anxiety, self-efficacy, and patient satisfaction. Journal of Oncology Navigation and Survivorship, 13 (7).

Bowles, L.A, Heet, W., Waterbeck, J., Chastain, L., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. (2022). The effect of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol on Opioid Consumption, Pain, and Length of Stay among Patients Undergoing Prostatectomy and Nephrectomy. Journal of Perioperative Nursing, 35(2):e-27-e-31.

Monroe, M., Davies, C.C., Brockopp, D., Beckman, D., Cantrell, D. (2022) COVID 19: The lived experience by Chief Nursing Officers. Journal of Nursing Administration, 52(5); 309-313.

2021

Farmer, M., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. (2021). Nurses’ knowledge of Alpha-gal allergies. Nursing Management. 1;52 (12):6-8. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000800396.67224.8f

Kjelland, K., Allen, M., Holder, K., Jenny, A., Row, C., Troutman, H., Nieves, H., Voils, T., Monroe, M. (2021). The Tiered Skills Acquisition Model: Orientees’ perception of preceptor performance Nursing Management, 52(9):51-53.

Kramer, M., Fultz, J., Smoot B., Sutherland, S., Wells, N., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. (2021). Educating Nurses during a Pandemic to Manage Ventilators. Journal of Nurses in Professional Development, 38(5): E49 – 54.

Kramer, M., Davies, C.C. (2021). The Development of an Effective Charge Nurse Program. Journal of Nurses in Professional Development, 37(5):268-277. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000765

Brockopp, D., Monroe, M., Davies, C. C., Cawood, M., Cantrell, D. (2021). COVID-19: The Lived Experience of Critical Care Nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(7/8):372-378.

Monroe, M., Linares A.M., Ashford, K. (2021). Mothers’ perception of hospital-based care: The effect on exclusive breastfeeding. Nursing for Women’s Health, 25(4): 257-263.

Rogers, A., Fultz, J., Clements-Hickman, A., Davies, C.C. (2021). The Baptist Health Lexington Nursing Orientation Progression Tool: A Methodological Study. Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(9):439-447.

A.J. Walid., Edwards, J., Yackzan, S., Stanifer, S., Monroe, M., Brockopp, D., Dollar, S., Self, B., Shearin, H., Young, T.J. (2021) Reduction in opioid consumption, pain and antiemetic use following used of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol for breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy. Annals of Breast Surgery, 5;15.

Merritt, S., Kramer, M., Monroe, M., Davies, C.C. (2021). Conducting a Virtual Research Symposium: Path to Success. Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(5), 240-241. 

McGuire, M., Olivo, A., Yackzan S. Productivity measures; Empowering oncology nurse practitioners to understand and demonstrate value in practice. (2021) Clinical journal of Oncology Nursing. 25(3):247-250.

2020

Nursing Contributions to the Community

Baptist Health Lexington encourages nursing at all levels to volunteer and support community healthcare outreach programs and population health initiatives. Being a part of the events allows us to partner with members and leaders of the community while supporting improvements in public health. Activities may include health screenings, providing essential education, and linking patients to vital healthcare resources, particularly for underserved people. The hospital provides sponsorship of local events, purchase of materials to provide various services, and gives approval of staff to help. Clinical nurses are empowered to participate through use of the facility’s RN/LPN Clinical Ladder which provides both public and monetary recognition. Often, nurse leaders and other team members are supported by the hospital through paid roles for volunteer activities with community events. Staff maybe involved in health event assessment, planning, actual activities, or evaluation of events. The following list identifies various sponsoring organizations, community healthcare outreach programs, and population health initiatives at the local, regional, and state level that nursing professionals participated over the last 24 months:

• COVID Vaccine Clinics
• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Employee Flu Vaccine Clinics
• Stroke Service Community Education initiatives for “BE FAST” – Recognize signs, symptoms, and risk factors for stroke: A-fib, HTN, DM, HLD, obesity, and nutrition:
  • Woodhill Community Center and Urban Impact
  • The Lexington School
  • Educational presentations for hospitals across Kentucky on AHA guidelines, hospital transfer programs, and EMS/pre-hospital care of stroke patients
• Cancer Services initiatives include:
  • American Cancer Society Belles and Beaus Ball
  • Being Mortal – Advance Directive
  • Breast, Colon and Lung Cancer Awareness
  • Empowerment Series Women’s Cancer Support Group
  • Hope Lodge
  • Kentucky Cancer Link- Regional Colon Cancer Screenings
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Light the Night
  • Ovarian Cancer Awareness
  • Race for the Cure
  • Shine a Light on Lung Cancer
  • Susan G. Komen Financial Toxicity Program
  • Turn the Town Teal – Ovarian Cancer Awareness
  • Ironcology
  • DiverCity
  • Lexington Community Health Fair education
  • KyCancerLink
  • Survivorship celebration Day
  • Lexington pools skin cancer screening
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
  • Oncology Patient Advisory Group
• Diabetes Services initiatives:
  • CommUNITY Fest, (United Way, St Martin Village Neighborhood Assoc.)
  • State of Diabetes Event, Regional ADA National Diabetes Month awareness presentation open to the public/payers
  • Dixie Elementary Health Fair
  • Ezra Sparrow Early Childhood Center Career Day
  • UKFCU employee health fair
  • Chronic Disease Awareness Booth
  • Gray Health Fair
  • FCPS Admin – Muscle Matters Series
  • FCPS Admin – Fitness Friday Health Fair
  • Fayette Co Diabetes Expo
  • Baptist Health HealthTalks Podcast
  • Baptist Health Bariatrics Facebook Live
  • Salvation Army Nutrition Clinic
• Cardiovascular Service Initiatives:
  • Mended Hearts Support Group
  • Early Heart Attack Care and Hands-Only CPR education:
    • Woodland Community Center and Urban Impact
    • Dixie Elementary
    • Commonwealth Credit Union
    • Lexington Chamber Chorale Reception
    • Warner Elementary School
  • Kentucky Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force
  • Chronic Disease Awareness Month

Reference:

Brockopp, D., Hill, K., Bugasjki, A. & Lengerich, A. 2018. Establishing a Research Friendly Environment: A Hospital-Based Approach. Boston MA: Jones Bartlett Learning