Ginger has worked in the nursery at Frye Regional Medical Center for over 25 years. During this time period, she has taken care of both well babies and sick babies in the Intensive Care Nursery. In order to be a great nursery nurse, a person must portray certain attributes. Newborns are not simply tiny adults. It takes an outstanding nurse to detect the minutest problems in such little bodies. She is caring and compassionate. She is also passionate about what she does. Recently, Ginger spent countless hours acquiring knowledge to become a breastfeeding educator. She holds a skill set that is above the average nursery nurse. If a patient is having a difficult time with breastfeeding, Ginger will spend hours in her room assisting the patient. She supports them physically, but she also supports them emotionally offering encouragement and instilling confidence in them, as new parents.
Ginger personifies what it means to be an exceptional nurse. She goes above and beyond not only for the tiny patients that she assumes care of, but also their parents. Even though the postpartum patient is not technically her responsibility, she treats them like they are. Often, patients do not distinguish one nurse from another. If a patient has a request, she will fulfill it within her capabilities, even if it is not her obligation. The LDRP nurses appreciate her for everything that she does to help them out on a day to day basis. Ginger makes a significant difference in the lives of her patients. Breastfeeding seems like it should come easy, but it is actually very difficult. It is a learning experience for both the mother and newborn. One person can make a difference in whether or not breastfeeding is successful. Ginger is that one person. On multiple occasions, she has single-handedly influenced a parent to choose what is the best feeding method for their newborn, which is breastfeeding. She does this through encouraging words, gentle hands, and effective education.
Ginger is a member of the Baby Friendly Task Force. Frye Regional Medical Center received a grant to assist the hospital in becoming a Baby Friendly facility. Baby Friendly is an international designation that very few hospitals in North Carolina hold. The process to become Baby Friendly is similar to achieving Magnet Status. Ginger serves as the secretary for the committee. She is present at each and every meeting with a positive attitude.
Change is difficult for anybody. The department is going through multiple changes right now and in the future. Ginger has worked in the nursery for a very long time and is accustomed to the way things are typically done. This does not hold her back from sharing positive ideas of change and acting on those ideas. She is always willing to serve as the leader in new initiatives and share her contagious positive attitude with other nurses. Ginger is a vision of hope for how great our department can and will be. Her priority is to provide the most optimal care to the patients that she serves. She never has a bad word to say about anybody and is wearing a smile on her face every time I see her. She also participates in Clinical Ladder each year because she is more than just a nurse. She is an exceptional nurse.