Kelly Tonkovic
October 2024
Kelly
Tonkovic
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Park Ridge
,
IL
United States
Kelly often meets with attending MDs, the medical director, and the nurse practitioners for many services to maintain open communication and the exceptional patient care that our guests deserve.
Kelly is always available to the staff. She arrives every day before the shift change to spend time with the off-going shift and assess unit needs. Then, she joins the oncoming shift in the huddle. Her door is open, and her phone is on 24/7 for all discussions. She goes above and beyond with every schedule to meet the personal needs of the nursing staff while also balancing the needs of the unit. During this last year, there was a physical assault on the staff by a patient, and she joined her staff in court to support them. I'm positive I have never met another manager who is more wonderful, easy to talk to, and understanding.
***
Kelly is one of the most knowledgeable RNs I have ever met. She orchestrates the new nurse orientation. She puts together the resources and then schedules the new staff with experienced staff best suited for each new hire. She personally sits with every nurse multiple times during the first 12 weeks and then begins open heart orientation. She then also joins them at the bedside to follow through with that education in real-time. Over the years, Kelly has taught pacemaker classes, IABP classes, and even the cardiohelp (ECMO) class when no one else was available! She is the educational cheerleader in our unit, and we would not be where we are without her.
***
This manager is very viable in the unit. She personally rounds every family to ensure that our guests have the best experience possible. In the last 6 months there was a disruptive and possibly hostile family member visiting. This manager executed a safety plan that included public safety, the bedside staff, the family and higher management.
***
Her professional and visible demeanor maintained the highest patient care and safety for all.
***
Kelly often meets with attending MDs, the medical director, and the nurse practitioners for many services to maintain open communication and the exceptional patient care that our guests deserve. A few months ago, a Charge nurse was uncomfortable with a bedside procedure that was planned for later in the day. This manager was available and open to staff. She reached out to upper management, the supervisor, the medical director of the unit, and then, after many discussions and meetings, she even stayed past 8 PM to support her staff, address the attending MD, and assist with the new procedure. She knew the attending was going to be irritated with the staff and delay of procedure and she refused to allow him to yell at them. Her daily support is constant and impressive.
***
Kelly is one of the most knowledgeable RNs I have ever met. She orchestrates the new nurse orientation. She puts together the resources and then schedules the new staff with experienced staff best suited for each new hire. She personally sits with every nurse multiple times during the first 12 weeks and then begins open heart orientation. She then also joins them at the bedside to follow through with that education in real-time. Over the years, Kelly has taught pacemaker classes, IABP classes, and even the cardiohelp (ECMO) class when no one else was available! She is the educational cheerleader in our unit, and we would not be where we are without her.
***
This manager is very viable in the unit. She personally rounds every family to ensure that our guests have the best experience possible. In the last 6 months there was a disruptive and possibly hostile family member visiting. This manager executed a safety plan that included public safety, the bedside staff, the family and higher management.
***
Her professional and visible demeanor maintained the highest patient care and safety for all.
***
Kelly often meets with attending MDs, the medical director, and the nurse practitioners for many services to maintain open communication and the exceptional patient care that our guests deserve. A few months ago, a Charge nurse was uncomfortable with a bedside procedure that was planned for later in the day. This manager was available and open to staff. She reached out to upper management, the supervisor, the medical director of the unit, and then, after many discussions and meetings, she even stayed past 8 PM to support her staff, address the attending MD, and assist with the new procedure. She knew the attending was going to be irritated with the staff and delay of procedure and she refused to allow him to yell at them. Her daily support is constant and impressive.