Britney R Meunier
May 2023
Britney R
Meunier
,
RN
SCU 2
Maine Medical Center
Portland
,
ME
United States

 

 

 

While Britney was stepping up to fill the empty educator role for the current staff, we also had (and continue to have) a need to solve the staffing crisis in critical care.
SCU was confronted with staffing intensive care units which doubled in size, were without a dedicated nurse educator, and located in two towers of the organization. The SCU team collaborated on how to function in this new healthcare landscape, utilizing the resources we had to onboard new staff successfully. We knew we needed someone who was self-driven, take ownership of this endeavor, and lead the group to a productive outcome. This individual was Britney Meunier. 
Britney onboarded the largest cohort of newly graduated nurses, rotating travelers, and ongoing education for the SCU team. She streamlined the orientation process for travelers, ensured the regulatory items were reviewed, and MMC policies and practices were comprehended. Britney worked on providing education to the current staff by reviewing regulatory requirements and facilitating unit-based skills fairs. She created QR code sign-ups, leading to the largest attendance of skills fairs.

While Britney was stepping up to fill the empty educator role for the current staff, we also had (and continue to have) a need to solve the staffing crisis in critical care. Britney assisted in leading an accelerated hands-on critical care boot camp for new grads. Over 25 newly hired graduate nurses have gone through a phased approach onboarding cohort. Phase one focused on hands-on skills through simulation and actual patient care. Recognizing these nurses lacked live patient experience during schooling, Britney sought out patients who needed care like NGs and IV insertions. The goal, besides alleviating fear, was allowing the new nurse to focus on the critical thinking aspect of care and time management necessary for working in a critical care environment. 

With such large cohorts, it required teams of nurses to precept and support the new grad. Britney formulated teams in each specialty area of SCU and facilitated preceptor education. Frequent check-ins were completed with Britney, the preceptors, and orientees to make sure everyone was on track for success. Not only did Britney use her adjunct faculty experience to educate preceptors in the art of teaching, she also held educational sessions for the preceptors, identifying topic matters and best practices so everyone provided consistent messaging to the team. 

I submit Britney for the DAISY Award as she has demonstrates and exhibits excellence in care not only of our patients but the staff caring for them as future healthcare professionals.