Nurses confront and overcome challenges daily as they care for their patients. This year, nurse managers faced a different kind of challenge. At the suggestion of Mary S. Fay, RN, MS, during her tenure as executive director of the Center for Excellence in Nursing Practice, BWH President Jeffrey Otten issued a challenge to the nurse managers. If they raised $10,000 for the Nursing Center, Otten would match that amount.
The nurses reached the goal, and in September Otten awarded the $10,000 challenge grant. “In the few years since its establishment, the Nursing Center has improved both the quality of patient care and career opportunities for our nursing staff,” says Otten. “It has become an invaluable addition to BWH.”
The Nursing Center helps nurses meet their daily challenges on their floors. By promoting discovery and collaboration with colleagues, the findings of research projects can be translated into improved patient care.
Each day nurses focus on others to create a compassionate and responsive healing environment and support system for patients. The Center is a support system for the nurses. The research and enrichment awards and lecture programs enhance and professional development for BWH nurses. The Nursing Center also recognizes nurses’ achievements and contributions to the hospital.
The generosity of the nurses managers and the matching grant from Otten helped the Nursing Center raise over $85,000 in FY ‘01 to support its activities, programs and research projects.