Meet our Vice President of Nursing Education 

Written by: Launette Woolforde, Vice President for Nursing Education and Professional Development, Northwell Health 

Working within the Nursing Education field for many years I fully recognize and embrace that nursing, and nursing professional development, requires a commitment to lifelong learning. To be a nursing professional development specialist means to commit to lifelong learning – your own, and that of those around you. That commitment is so highly reflected in the caliber of nurses and nurse educators here at Northwell Health. Nurse educators are a cornerstone for organizations because they are key people who transform the organizations vision and goals into action. The tireless work that nurse educators do in developing staff at all levels, including the future generation, has an impact on patient care that, arguably, cannot be quantified. You cannot consider improvements in quality, professional practice, patient experience, achieving Magnet designation and more without considering the critical role that nursing education has played in these achievements. 

I’m proud to say that the Northwell Health culture is one that supports nursing professional development – we practice what we preach. I myself can attest to the support that I received from my organization in furthering my education.  Northwell Health provided full support for myself and approximately 75 other nurses who have either completed, or are in the process of completing, their DNP.  It’s an honor to be part of a visionary organization that is leading, and exceeding as the IOM Future of Nursing report recommends to increase the number of doctoral prepared nurses to 80% BSN by 2020.

Our nurse educators remain the driving force around our onsite academic courses which support our culture of academic progression. Nursing Education leads robust orientation programs and processes for over 2,000 nurses and some 1,500 new nursing support staff each year. Our nursing professional development excellence is reflected among our 16,000+ nurses whose professional certification rate and BSN rate at many of our facilities continue to exceed the mean of Magnet facilities. None of this could be achieved without our exceptional Nursing Education team – and what I’ve named is just a drop in the bucket.

I want to use this opportunity to say to colleagues, near and far, “thank you for celebrating with us.” And to Nursing Professional Development Specialists at Northwell Health and beyond – Happy National Nursing Professional Development Week 2016! 

About Launette Woolforde: 

We are pleased to have Launette Woolforde as Vice President for Nursing Education and Professional Development for Northwell Health. In her 19 years in Nursing Education she has contributed to the development of countless nurses, and aspiring nurses, within and outside of our health system. She is an assistant professor at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine, a member of the Board of Governors at the National League for Nursing, board certified in Nursing Professional Development and a member of the New York Academy of Medicine.

Launette joined the health system over 11 years ago and has served in capacities including nurse educator, orientation coordinator, corporate director for nursing education, and senior administrative director for patient care services. Launette holds a BSN, MSN and post Master’s certificate in Nursing Education, and having earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University and a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Columbia University, Launette became the first nurse in the health system to have earned two doctoral degrees. 

My Time Here at Northwell Health 

Written by: Simon G

When I arrived in the United States from Ireland I was jetlagged and nervous but excited to start my position at Northwell Health. From my first day, everyone was so helpful in getting me settled and comfortable in not only a new work environment, but also a new country as well. My position was to take part in various HR projects throughout the Summer.

My first day began like all other hires, with me attending Beginnings. It was such an eye opening experience as it showed me the scale of the company I was now part of. The fact that everyone from newly hired nurses, to newly hired janitors, showed me that everyone in this company was valued and everyone had a role to play in keeping the company on top. It was amazing to get to see the CEO of Northwell, Michael Dowling, speak at the event as it is rare to see a CEO welcome new hires every Monday. For the rest of the week I was introduced to everyone that I would be working with and shown what I would be doing. My main role consisted of helping the Human Resources team with creating files for new hires, learning the correct ways to source for recruitment purposes, and conducting internet researches on various HR processes for projects. Since I was part of a cultural exchange program that focuses on learning the entirety and culture of an organization, I was also able to attend multiple Northwell events.

Some of the events I was able to attend were Beginnings, which was every Monday where I got to help answer any questions anyone might have as well as promote the new Northwell app. I also had the opportunity to visit Northwell Studios, where they edit film to create videos in order to show the strength and bravery of their patients, the professionalism and level of care that their staff provide. I saw a video being edited of a man who was in his sixties being interviewed after having a baseball-size tumour removed from his skull. However, within a few days after his operation, he was back to teaching Tai Kwon Do. It was truly astonishing that the surgeons had such a level of skill that allowed his recovery period to be so short. I joined a photographer in attending an employee barbecue who showed me how best to tackle photographing such an event. I also went along with a photographer to a fundraiser for the Feinstein Institute who, amongst other incredible things, are making outstanding advances in medicine in areas such as bioelectronics medicine. It showed me how Northwell was not only treating people with life changing illnesses today, but planning to cure these illnesses permanently so that in the future there would be no need for long term care.

I next visited CLI (Center for Learning and Innovation) where I watched trainee doctors and nurses being examined on their ability to discuss various topics with patients. I talked with some of the actors who play the patients, as well as those who keep track of the length of the encounters and keep the whole system running smoothly. I was really interested in seeing if I could take part in some way so they allowed me to be a standardized patient for a day. I had to go through a patient case, learn the information, and then act as that patient. I was given hospital garments and had to sit in an appointment room and wait for trainee doctors and nurses to come in and talk to me about what my illness was. My particular case was a “bad news” case, in which they had to tell me I had a very serious illness that could kill me. After every encounter, I had to discuss the students’ performance with a member of the faculty who was observing the encounter and grading the student. It was incredible to see how much emphasis they put on not only medical knowledge but also social skills that doctors and nurses require when talking to patients.

I had the honor of meeting a woman called Amy Smith (picture top left), who works as a nurse at Lenox Hill Greenwich Village. She had won the Northwell President’s Award for Exceptional Patient/Costumer Care, and her story was simply incredible. She is a sexual assault and violence (SAVI) advocate who made helping those who experienced such horrible things her life’s work. Her dedication, and her simply astounding will to help anyone who asks for it was inspirational. I attended the award ceremony (picture top right) where Amy and other people throughout this health system were being honored for their outstanding achievements. It showed me how this organization was a place where going the extra mile was awarded and encouraged. It was also a way of saying thanks to those in the company who are striving to make it one of the best places to receive healthcare. The rapturous applause each award winner received was evidence that these people were being supported by their friends and colleagues in being the best they could possibly be.

I was given the opportunity to go for a ride-along with the ambulatory services that we have. I was shown around the central command hub which houses all the data that the ambulatory drivers need in order to do their jobs efficiently. However, ambulances were not the only thing to benefit from the hub. The Sky Health helicopter also uses the information, which the hub provides. The scale of the network was enormous. I then went out on a call with a response vehicle and got to experience the life of a paramedic first hand. Their calm nature and professional approach made the process smooth and efficient for the patient, and showed me that the level or care that I had seen in multiple hospitals was being reflected out on the field.

And that, dear reader, is a quick summary of my brief experience here at Northwell Health. There are so many people who I have become great friends with and who have made my dream of one day living in America stronger, and my drive to achieve it even larger. As I return to Ireland I will bring all my experiences and newly learned skills with me. And as a last note, I would like to say thank you to everyone who made my experience so interesting and beneficial. Even if you only said “Hello” to me as I entered a building, that “Hello” made me feel so welcome and made my experience just that little bit better. Thanks again, and as we say in Irish, “Slán tamaill”, or in English, “Bye for a while”.

Q&A with our Corporate Director of Physician Assistant Services 

How long have you worked for Northwell Health?

I started at Long Island Jewish Medical Center 29 years ago before the first merger of Long Island Jewish and North Shore University Hospital. I am still in awe at the great amount of integration that has taken place by way of mergers acquisitions, affiliations and joint ventures resulting in Northwell Health.

Can you talk about your career progression within the health system?

Northwell Health has provided me with a wonderful career ladder, and given me the resources to climb that ladder. I started as a PA supervisor in Medicine in 1988 with 4.6 PA’s on my service. We were so effective that by 1994 we had increased our number 10 fold. Northwell Health supported my efforts to complete a Master’s Degree in Health Administration at Hofstra by providing tuition reimbursement, entered me in our High Potentials Program (HiPo) where I was mentored by Senior Leadership, and entered  in the Academy for Health Care Leadership Advancement at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I am now Corporate Director for 1.200 PA’s across the organization and its Joint Ventures.

Can you speak to the relationship between our Physicians and our Physician Assistants throughout the health system?

Because Physician Assistants didactic training is as demanding as medical school, and PA’s train alongside residents and interns for over 12 months, the physician and PA bond is very strong. This results in a high degree of respect and trust.

What role do PA’s play here at our hospitals and facilities?

Physician Assistants are indispensable here at Northwell Health. They provide care in 21 different specialties at over 22 facilities. They perform physical assessments, diagnose and treat patients, frequently with a high degree of experienced based autonomy. They assist in all areas of Surgery and perform many highly technical procedures with the skill and competencies expected of a physician.

Finish this sentence: Without our Physician Assistant’s, we wouldn’t be able to…..

Without our Physician Assistants, access to care would be impaired with longer wait times in almost any area where care is provided. Physicians would be burdened with taking care of patients with more minor issues, impairing their ability to handle patients needing a higher level of decision making. Procedures for which our PA’s are well qualified would be delayed, resulting in increased length of stay, increased readmission rates and decreased patient satisfaction. Our PA’s are skilled in monitoring patients and applying interventions that result in decreased infection rates and other patient safety related issues.

Please explain why someone would want to be a Physician Assistant here. 

Northwell Health holds the highest standards for Physician Assistants.

We require Basic and Advanced Cardiac life Support training as well as continuous National Certification. There is mandated continuing education (100 hours) every two years and periodic National certification Exam (every 6- 10 years). We support advancement in the clinical and administrative arena for PA’s. As the largest employer of Physician Assistants in the country, our PA’s share a collegiality and recognition not found in other geographic areas. 

What would you like to say to our PA employees during recognition week?

We attract the top of the class because we train hundreds of Physician Assistants from 8 different programs. It gives us the opportunity to recruit the best of the profession which is well represented by our PA staff. Our Physician Assistants are extremely competent, caring and compassionate  and are highly regarded by Nurses, Physicians, ancillary personnel and especially patients. They will continue to be an integral part of our team as organization and healthcare in general  evolve further. As I travel to conferences all over the country, the envy from other PA Directors is palpable because we have the best of the PA profession here. I am extremely grateful to all the Physician Assistants here in our organization for their unwavering support all these years.

On behalf of all the leadership at Northwell Health, staff, and patients, we celebrate this time of recognition of your immense contributions. Happy Physician Assistants Recognition Week.

Clinical Management – the difference between just another job and a great career.

Have you ever wondered what Operating Room career options we have, and why people choose to come work for us? Hear from our very own Dolores Reisert, Senior Administrative Director of Perioperative Services, and why she chose Northwell Health as her home. 

“In choosing where to advance your career as a surgical nurse, the presence of innovative technology – including surgical robotics – is the factor that often gets the most attention. In this area, Northwell Health is second to none. After all, providing our clinical professionals and their patients with the latest and greatest clinical tools is something we’re nationally noted for.

But when it comes to your professional growth, enrichment and satisfaction, there’s much more than this. In fact, I have consistently been amazed by what a difference an active, engaged and supportive management team can make.

I’m proud to say that exceptional nurse management is exactly what we deliver at Northwell Health. Throughout our system, nursing leadership goes above and beyond the typical management role. They are active, engaged and highly supportive. They’re in the operating room with you while also maintaining a completely open door policy away from the OR. They welcome input and suggestions and are committed to putting their nurses’ ideas into practice.

To provide even more specialized support, we maintain a structure based on the use of service line managers. Nurses within periop services work with a manager in their own surgical specialty, rather than one who is responsible for the entire department as a whole. This gives nurses access to leadership that is more closely attuned with their unique needs and goals.

The result? Nurses who feel valued and respected for their skills, knowledge and contributions. In fact, in recent surveys, we maintain one of the highest nurse satisfaction levels in the healthcare field. More than that, our exceptional nurses and our strong nursing leadership have enabled us to achieve Magnet® designation at Long Island Jewish Medical Center from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This is the gold standard for excellence in the nursing practice.

If you want to know where this philosophy and commitment to the nursing practice begins, look no further than Maureen White, RN. As Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive for all of Northwell Health, Maureen provides the vision and direction that empowers all other managers to deliver the support our nurses deserve.

When you combine our outstanding nurse leadership with our state-of-the-art technology, unmatched variety of cases and procedures, the best physicians in New York and more, you’ll experience a surgical nursing career that can’t be beat!”

 Written by: Dolores Reisert 

 Did you know that Long Island Jewish Medical Center is now offering a $10,000 sign on bonus to all experienced Operating Room Nurses? Begin your journey with our Magnet facility and apply today! 

Our Stars Working at S.T.A.R.S.

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (S.T.A.R.S.) team is always ready to take on a challenge. As the team and facility locations continue to grow, there are an endless amount of diverse cases and support available for every employee to accomplish their education and career goals. We had the privilege to speak with Brian Krebs, Senior Director of STARS Network, about his journey throughout Northwell Health and the top 3 things happening right now at STARS. 

How long have you worked for Northwell Health?

I began my career with Northwell Health’s STARS in 1997. At that time it was called North Shore-LIJ’s STARS.

Can you talk about your career progression within the health system?  

My opportunity to work at Northwell Health’s STARS presented while I was in physical therapy school on my last clinical rotation at STARS East Meadow. A full time staff therapist position was becoming available and my clinical instructor thought I would be a good fit and recommended me for the position. I was attracted to STARS because of their focus on patient care and providing a collaborative team environment. Over the next 19 years I was afforded the opportunity to progress my career from a staff level therapist,  to a site supervisor, to a rehabilitation manager to where I am today as a  Senior Director. Along the way I was challenged by my mangers to develop both my clinical and administrative skill set. As a site supervisor I was asked to develop various clinical programs related to sports therapy. As a manager I became more involved in the development of staff, making operational decisions and providing strategic input on how best to grow our service. I also have been able to continue my educational aspirations by achieving 3 clinical certifications including a specialty in spine care, manual therapy (Certified in the McKenzie Method and Maitland approach) and becoming an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Additionally, I was encouraged to pursue and received a transitional clinical doctorate degree. I know of no other organization that would have allowed me to grow and develop in the manner I have.

Please list the top 3 things happening at S.T.A.R.S. right now. 

1. For many years STARS primarily treated those with orthopedic injuries or conditions. However, over the past 2 years with the addition of new locations we have been able to diversify our client base by partnering with other Northwell Health Service Lines to develop many new specialty programs. These include a Lymphedema/Oncology program, a Pelvic Floor/Women’s Health program, a Pediatrics program and our STRIVE for Wellness Program which provides those with a spinal cord injury or other neurologic condition the ability to exercise independently in a safe wheelchair accessible gym. These are in addition to our already existing STARS specialty programs which include Vestibular Rehabilitation, Hand Therapy and Neurological Rehab.

2. We have also seen tremendous growth in the area of sports rehabilitation. For the past 2 years, STARS has been the official provider for the Hofstra University Athletic Department. We work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure Hofstra’s student athlete’s get the very best care and get back on the field as quickly as possible. We have also added Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) to our clinical compliment and have been awarded contracts with North Shore and Glen Cove High Schools. This past year our trainer at North Shore High School worked with the school’s Athletic Director to achieve the nationally recognized Safe Schools Award. Additionally, our sports therapy staff has worked closely with Orthopaedics to develop our organization’s post-operative protocols, an ACL tear prevention program, a sports concussion program, and a performing artist/dance medicine program.

3. Finally there is our site expansion, with STARS locations in Nassau County, Western Suffolk County, Queens, and Westchester. The addition of new STARS locations allows STARS to serve a greater number of communities and physicians.  Our growth has also allowed us to develop programming that meets the needs of undeserved populations and aligns with the mission of our organization.  In 2015, STARS opened offices in Franklin Square and Huntington. In 2016, STARS integrated with the outpatient rehabilitation department at Northern Westchester Hospital, making us 10 locations strong.

Please finish this sentence: Without our Physical Therapists, we wouldn’t be able to…

Provide the extraordinary care we do for our patients. Their passion for the profession and drive to help every patient maximize their outcome is humbling. Without their daily efforts we could not have grown into one of the largest multi-specialty therapy providers in the region. This commitment to our patients is evidenced by our consistently high Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey results, and the fact that STARS has achieved the highest Employee Engagement scores for the past three survey cycles. However, it is not just our Physical Therapist that we owe a debt of thanks to. We could not provide the care we do without the work performed by our Physical Therapist Assistants and Occupational Therapists who demonstrate the same values and passion for excellence as that of our Physical Therapists.

What would you like to say to your PT employees during recognition month?

I’d like to commend them, as well as all of our staff, for the important work they do each and every day.  I am awed by the letters and emails that we receive weekly from our patients, recognizing the skill and dedication of our staff.  It is this dedication to each other, our patients and our mission that has allowed STARS to develop and maintain a culture of care.  I can’t thank them enough!

Meet our Vice President of our Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Service Lines, Nina DePaola  

Why did you become a physical therapist?

I knew from personal experiences at a young age that I wanted to go into healthcare related to improving ones quality of life. In order to pursue this I spent time volunteering in high school and I observed physical therapy which inspired me. My goal at the time was to help those with cancer and improve their day to day function and strength during treatment and recovery. Through my physical therapy education and training I became interested in working with a variety of those in need-including those with sports, cardiac, neurological, amputees, and orthopaedic conditions. Most importantly a physical therapist has the ability to motivate and teach an individual to become more independent and enjoy each day.

How long have you worked for Northwell health?

I will be celebrating my 30 year anniversary in 2017.

Can you talk about your career profession within the health system?

I began as a staff physical therapist at NSUH Manhasset. I then pursued my masters in administration, with the intent to go into a physical therapy private practice. About 5 years later I was offered an opportunity to start a small outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy program for the hospital. This small program has grown over the years to many sites and is called STARS (Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services).  The STARS team continues to this day and celebrates exceptional service, engagement and care for many types of patients in need of physical and occupational therapy. I was asked approximately 15 years ago to oversee the Rehabilitation Service Line for our growing health system, and shortly after that I was asked to oversee the Orthopaedic Physician Service Line.  Now our two service line teams have grown many programs, centers, facilities and offices in many markets throughout the region.

What do you like most of the administrative role of rehabilitation?

Once I became a physical therapist I started developing programs and I really enjoyed initiatives that resulted in impacting many more than just the 10 patients a day that I was treating. It is also very rewarding to help those with a passion for what they love to do create better patient care. That motivated me to grow and I was asked to do this more formally – thus starting my career ladder into administration. My most proud achievement to date has been to celebrate the successes of others and the accomplishments of many individuals who have helped create better ways to offer care to those in need. On the business end a particular goal is to volume build. Areas of our teams include marketing, community outreach, meeting with societies, care organizations and advocacy groups in order to meet their needs, building new service communities and promoting a personal touch to everyone and everything we encounter in corporate healthcare. In corporate healthcare, it has been helpful to be a voice as a physical therapist- to represent the profession and yet align strategically with the health systems mission.

What kind of experience and settings are available to therapists within Northwell Health?

Within Northwell there is just about every variety of therapy and rehabilitation. We have hospital based therapy, skilled nursing- short and long term care therapy, acute inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy and homecare. We treat all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics and have just about every specialty program from sports and spine care to joint replacements, neuro rehab, brain injury and lymphedema care. Part time and full time positions which offer flexible hours are available in many of our settings that help promote a work- life balance.

Why is Northwell Health special?

Northwell health is the largest employer for physical therapists in our region. Many employment options are available related to location and specialty. The overall culture of Northwell is one of teamwork, caring, communication, respect and a great family feel. Employees within Northwell Health truly care about each other and enable change for improvement and what best meets the needs of the patients. As a physical therapist we tend to have the same values of teamwork, communication and motivating others so it marries nicely with the culture of Northwell health.

What opportunities are available for therapists at Northwell Health?

A physical therapist within Northwell Health has many opportunities for additional clinical education, research, program development or leadership growth through the offering of a management track. The Center for Learning and Innovation that has many courses to help develop leadership skills and an understanding of healthcare. There is tuition support available for those who go on to advanced education. There are many cultural activities that help build teamwork with physical therapists and other professions such as nurses and physicians- this makes Northwell Health unique.

Can you speak to the relationship between our Physicians and our Physical Therapists throughout the health system?

We have thousands of physicians who work with our physical therapists in every setting. A physical therapist typically receives the referral to offer care but our communication and partnership to give the patient exactly what they need is very important. Our physicians include orthopedists, neurologists, surgeons, internal medicine and oncologists. There is a very good relationship and mutual respect between physical therapists and physicians concerning the development of programs, education of the community, prevention and treatment of disability in patients.

What would you like to say to our Physical Therapists employees during PT month?

PT month is a time to celebrate for all we that we are able to do for patients and for each other. Northwell Health continues to grow and our expanding workforce of therapists is very strong, well-qualified, well respected and outstanding in their field. This is a time to celebrate the great services that we offer and the continued growth of our programs. A huge message of appreciation is sent to each and every therapist who is proud to be part of the Northwell Health Rehabilitation family. This is a month to celebrate who we are and what we do for so many. Our teamwork and our individual offering of quality care helps thousands and thousands of patients each year and we should congratulate each other offering such quality care in such a rewarding field and in such a great organization which is Northwell Health.

 Want to join our team of Physical Therapists? Explore our unlimited rehabilitation career opportunities. 

From pre-med to Financial & Operations Management Senior Associate, Adam moved from Chicago to New York to began his career at Northwell Health as Healthcare Management Program intern. His experience as an intern opened his eyes to health care and his experience solidified his decision to accept a full time position post graduation in the administration department at North Shore University Hospital.

Read Adam’s Q&A about being an HMP intern, now HMP mentor, and how the program was a foundation for his career.

Why did you want to participate in the Healthcare Management Program (HMP) and how did you hear about it?

When I began my undergraduate studies at Union College, my initial plans had been to pursue the pre-med track, with the ultimate goal of one day becoming a Physician. Upon taking Intro to Chemistry during one of my first classes at Union, and seeing the grade that I received at the end of the term, I quickly realized that this path would not be for me! Fast forward to my junior year, by that time a declared political science major, I remained eager to find opportunities and experiences that would allow me to pursue a role in healthcare, but in a non-clinical capacity.

While the majority of my internship search efforts were focused on opportunities related to health care policy, I stumbled upon a unique internship experience that was offered by Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ Health System). The Healthcare Management Program at Northwell Health is an internship designed to provide students with first-hand knowledge and insight into the field of healthcare administration. This seemed far-removed from my initial interests in policy, but also a far destination for a student originally from Chicago. 

After speaking with members of the Northwell team, that unbeknownst to me would soon become my colleagues and mentors; I realized that applying to the Healthcare Management Program would be the perfect opportunity to explore my interests in the healthcare field. By participating in the Healthcare Management Program I could fuse my interests in healthcare, business, and policy in a way that no other program or opportunity could provide.

Can you tell us about your experience in the internship?

As a participant in the Healthcare Management Program I developed the skills required to succeed in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The internship provided me with an opportunity to explore the field of hospital administration through real project work lead by executive mentors. From the relationships that I developed, to the foundational knowledge gained in both analytics and project management, the internship was a phenomenal experience for my professional growth. Furthermore, the opportunity to learn from, and engage with, executive leadership, clinical leadership, and others, afforded me a unique perspective into the daily roles and responsibilities of healthcare administrators. By gaining exposure to world-class professionals, combined with challenging and exciting project work, the Healthcare Management Program reaffirmed my passion for health care, but more importantly, the experience served as the onramp for my career in health care administration.

After participating in the HMP, what made you decide to take a full time position at Northwell Health in our Management Associate Program as a Financial & Operations Management Associate?

Through my participation in the Healthcare Management Program I gained the skills necessary to be able to succeed in a dynamic professional landscape. As a result, many of the tools that I developed in the internship provided me with the ability to engage with a variety of different organizations, including financial ones, about potential career opportunities. Although I was intrigued by entry-level positions offered by the other companies, I realized that these institutions could never offer the one component of working in health care that I enjoyed the most: the opportunity to impact the life of a patient.  

My decision to join this organization in the Management Associate Program (MAP) was made for that simple reason: to wake up each morning knowing that in some way shape or form I could impact the life of another. The passion that I felt to continue to grow in the organization that had paved my professional foundation, combined with a desire to pursue a career in healthcare was the two main contributing factors towards my decision of joining the Management Associate Program.

How was it mentoring an HMP intern this summer after going through the program yourself?

After having been a participant in the program myself, the opportunity to mentor three Healthcare Management Program interns this summer was a phenomenal experience for me both professionally and personally. From a professional standpoint, just as the Healthcare Management Program provided me with an opportunity to learn a skill set in analytics and project management, mentoring students this summer allowed me to develop my own management skills and style. It was a great experience to be able to train others on the same tools that I had been taught when I had gone through the program just a few years prior. 

On a personal level, the investment that I had in the program as a former participant made the dedication level to the success of the internship experience that much higher. My goal for the summer was to ensure that the students had as beneficial of an experience as I had, if not better.  As one of their mentors, I wanted to provide them with as many opportunities to develop their skill set, form professional relationships, as well as encourage them to cultivate the same passion for health care that I had gained during my own internship experience. The mentorship experience was tremendously rewarding and I am glad that as a former participant I had the opportunity to help others begin their own professional journeys.

 Our 2017 Healthcare Management Program is now open for submission. Become part of our 61,000 strong and submit your resume today. 

From Barracks, to Business

Read about Samantha Rosario’s experience within the Military, and how our Barracks to Business Workshop prepared her for a career at Northwell Health.

Written by: Samantha Rosario 

Each branch of the military bears a massive responsibility when training new soldiers. New recruits are trained in hand-to-hand combat, at the weapons range, and how to work together as a cohesive team. Preparedness of soldiers is essential to ensure not only a victory for the mission, but God-willing, a safe return for everyone. Once the solider has returned and his/her term is complete, it is almost as if the weight of responsibility has lifted off the branch’s shoulders and soldiers are given minimal training in their next mission in life, transition to the civilian world.

A popular myth, and one I foolishly believed, was that finding a job, as a veteran, was going to be easy because employers love the skills and discipline veterans possess. While employers appreciate those traits, the real issue is if the applicant cannot communicate his/her skills on a resume. Northwell has recognized this dilemma and has committed itself to be the standard in job preparation training. Over the summer, I was lucky enough to attend one of these training seminars, entitled Barracks to Business, led by Anthony Silvera. During the course of 4 hours, I was challenged to clarify my skillset and experiences, determined my career goals, learned the importance of a job description and gained confidence for an interview. The success stories were inspiring and newly gained knowledge felt invigorating; that night I started revising my resume and focusing on finding a career within Northwell. One of the most significant aspects of seminar was the support given after it ended and with the support of Mr. Silvera and his team, I eventually gained employment with Northwell. I am honored to work for an organization that dedicates so many resources to serve the needs of our country’s veterans and look forward to doing great things in my new role.

Are you, or someone you know, a Veteran who is looking to build their professional skill set?

Register to attend our next Barracks to Business Workshop today.

Ever wonder what nursing opportunities we have within our community hospitals? As one of the nation’s largest and most respected health systems, Northwell Health takes pride in the care it gives throughout each community. Learn about two of our Joint Commission recognized hospitals and how you can become part of their expanding team of nurses. 

Plainview Hospital

This 204-bed teaching hospital delivers high quality care to the dynamic communities of eastern Nassau County and is expanding their cardiac unit. This team features a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and their highly respected nurses play an integral role in each patient’s experience. Every shift, nurses collaborate with Physicians, Case Managers, Social Workers, Dietitians and Physical Therapists to advocate for each of their patients. The telemetry unit has a 24/7 telemetry technician and their patients enjoy single bedded rooms.  We are proud to boast a very high retention rate for our nursing staff.

A major perk working for Plainview Hospital – flexible scheduling. Their nurses work 13 days out of a 28 day period and are at liberty to self-schedule their shifts to meet their lifestyle and needs. 

“We work as a family here. There is clear, hands-on leadership within every department. Every day I go to the units and help as much as I can.” – Tom Luzzi, Director of Patient Care Services, Medicine/ Surgery/ Telemetry 

Syosset Hospital 

At Syosset Hospital, all of their units have nurses that are certified in a particular area of nursing. This 103-bed community hospital, home to the Orthopaedic Center of Excellence, the Davis Vision Eye Surgery Center and the Interventional Pain Management Center, is continually enhancing their capabilities to deliver outstanding care and is actively working on increasing certifications to continue to achieve accreditation’s. It is a close community between staff and a valued team approach, while the leadership throughout the building is always known to be supportive and constnatly present in the activities within the building.

A few more facts about Syosset Hospital: 

• They have a Behavioral Health unit with 20 beds specializing in Psychiatric care
• They have a 32 bed med surg unit that is predominately orthopedic based care with some medical patients mixed in (This unit is primarily used for the Syosset Orthopedic Program which is one of their Centers of Excellence)
• They have 15 bed medicine/telemetry unit
• They have an 8 bed ICU unit that cares for critical vented and step down patients
• They have a 10 bed emergency department

Register to attend our upcoming interview day to join one of our nursing teams at Plainview Hospital or Syosset Hospital. 

Q&A with Advanced Practice Nursing Corporate Director, Carol Patrick

Q: How long have you worked for Northwell Health?

A: I  have been with Northwell Health via Huntington Hospital since 1981 (35 years), in a variety of capacities, beginning as a Registered Nurse, then working my way up to a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care, Critical Care Director, Electrophysiology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Three years ago, I became the Corporate Director for Advanced Practice Nurses at Northwell Health, and since have been balancing that role as well as allocating a portion of my time as an Electrophysiology Nurse Practitioner.

Q: Tell us about the Nurse Practitioners Council.

A: The Mission of the System NP Director’s Council is to be the voice of the advanced practice professional, while promoting the highest standards of evidence based, patient centered, quality care. Supporting and promoting excellence in leadership and professional growth within the advanced practice profession is also one of our main priorities. Our System NP Director’s Council meets monthly for 2 hours to provide an avenue for advocacy and communication from all of the systems Nurse Practitioners to our leadership. Maximizing the ability of the NP’s to practice to the top of their licensure is the vision and goal of our leaders- this council helps us achieve that mission. 

Q: Can you talk about the opportunities available for Nurse Practitioners throughout our organization?

A: There are multiple opportunities in innovative work environments for the Advanced Practice Nurses at Northwell Health in both the inpatient and outpatient settings – ranging from e-ICU, Telestroke, Telepsych, robotic surgery, liver transplant program, our newly growing LVAD implantation HF program, the outpatient Housecalls and Care Solutions team. The opportunities for advanced practice Nurses here are endless – one can create their own vision, construct a viable business plan and strategy, and their dream can come true. Innovative care models are popping up everywhere – advanced illness programs, palliative/ hospice care, acute step-down units, outpatient clinics/programs and Peri-operative NP oversight are all managed and run by our Nurse Practitioners. Assessing metrics such as length of stay, infection rates, skin ulcers, CAUTI, VTE occurrences, patient/ family satisfaction, and team communication are among the measurements where we shine.

Q: What role do Nurse Practitioners play here at our hospitals and facilities?

A: The role of NP’s here is directed North – leading the way in independent and innovative practice and patient centered care. Our NP’s serve as advocates for our patients and families, conduits for change and strong collaboration and communication among physicians and other health care providers, engaging referrals whenever needed to optimize patient outcomes, and safe efficient transitions throughout the health care continuum.

Q: Why is Northwell Health special? 

A: Our Nurse Practitioner’s are the voice of the patient and families – listening, assessing, prescribing, referring, optimizing, performing, and embracing technological advances in care for the prime focus of utilizing time management and efficiency for what matters most, the patient! We are special because our leadership and supportive administration enables EVERY advanced practice nurse to have a voice. They listen to the staff, and have teams of individuals who evaluate Employee Engagement results, working on plans for success and targeting those areas of deficiencies to improve both employee and patient satisfaction. The wealth of educational and participative opportunities abounds – all one needs to do is have an idea and implement it. We at Northwell Health provide every advanced practitioner with a professional identity and ongoing professional development that makes us the employer of choice.  Inter-professional quality, safety, and the optimal patient experience is a core tenant for our staff to achieve.  Our goal is to foster a singular vision for the organization with the ultimate goal of creating a pathway for every Advanced Clinical Provider to work to the top of their license, and have a voice!

Q: What would you like to say to our Nurse Practitioners during recognition week?

A: I would like to say- THANK YOU for your engagement, enthusiasm, support, and true commitment to high quality, safe, patient centered care. Our time in advanced practice is now – we need to create our destiny in impacting health care, or someone else will do it for us. Get involved with your professional associations, legislative updates, and have a voice in effecting positive change for our providers and patients. The future holds promise and ongoing growth for our significant role in advancing advanced practice nursing. As we celebrate National Nurse Practitioner Week, look at how far we have come, but most importantly – look North – to where we are leading the way in health care transformation.