05/5/2008

LibertyHealth Celebrates Nurses Week

JERSEY CITY - LibertyHealth will celebrate National Nurses Week with gifts, events, conferences and celebrations at Jersey City Medical Center and Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center.

National Nurses Week coincides with the birthday May 12th of Florence Nightingale, who many consider the founder of modern nursing. More than 550 nurses care for patients at the two hospitals of LibertyHealth and within the system’s community-based programs.

“We believe the nurses of LibertyHealth are among the finest nurses in the nation. Each day they provide skilled, quality care and contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They are truly the heart of the health care delivery system,” said Joseph F. Scott, President and CEO of the LibertyHealth System. “I am very fortunate to have a dedicated and committed nursing staff who are focused on improving the health of our community.”

To show their appreciation, the medical staffs of both Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and Jersey City Medical Center contributed for gifts that will go to each nurse.

“Nurses provide consistent high quality care that all patients expect and deserve. Our nurses attend not only to the medical needs of their patients but to their emotional and spiritual needs as well,” said Denise Richardson, Vice President of Patient Care Services, Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center. “Given their daily responsibilities, the nurses at Meadowlands Hospital are truly my heroes and I am proud to work beside them everyday.”

“Nurses Week is a great opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude for the care, concern and expertise that our nurses bring to patients every day, all year long.  This week of celebration will be fun and provide care for the caregivers,” said Rita Smith, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Jersey City Medical Center.

Activities will begin Tuesday, May 6, at Jersey City Medical Center with a breakfast and gifts for all nurses. Throughout the week, nurses will be treated to facials, a barbecue, food and refreshments.

On Tuesday, May 6, Jersey City Medical Center will dedicate a special room for nurses called “Precious Moments.” With quiet music, a fountain, massage chairs and an area for yoga, it is the only room at any hospital in the region solely for the well-being of nurses. The nurses of Jersey City Medical Center specifically requested the room as a place to recharge themselves briefly during stressful periods before returning to their patients.

Dr. Susan W. Salmond, a recognized nursing leader from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, will present a lecture Thursday, May 8, “The Role of Nursing Leadership in Nursing Research.” On Friday, May 9, David Knowlton, President and CEO of the New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute, will present a lecture, “Quality Nursing Care.”

At Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, nursing week activities will begin Monday, May 5, with breakfast.

A health fair will be held Tuesday, May 6, for nurses with blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and luxurious chair massage. Tricia Thomas, RN, from Compassionate Care Hospice will provide a lecture on compassionate end of life care. Chiropractor John Cerf, DC, will instruct nurses how to activate postural muscles to enhance appearance and relieve pain.  Nurses will receive instruction from chiropractor Stephen Vargo, DC, on proper lifting techniques to prevent workplace injuries before they happen.

On Friday, May 9, Kate Waldron, RN, PhD, will present a lecture on Imagery and Meditation for Stress Reduction. Also on Friday there will be a Nurse of Distinction Ceremony to honor a nurse from Meadowlands Hospital who demonstrates consistence excellence in patient care and working with the nursing team.

Nursing gifts will be distributed Friday along with instructions for stress reduction and a ceremony to honor nurses of distinction. Throughout the week, nurses will enjoy lip print analysis and handwriting analysis.

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