SVHC Receives Strong Nurse Satisfaction Survey Results

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Nurses and other staff from the Renal Dialysis Unit took a moment to celebrate strong nurse satisfaction survey results with nurse and organizational leaders. The department logged a 100 percent response rate. Shown, from left to right, are Pamela Duchene, PhD, APRN, chief nursing officer and vice president for Patient Care Services; Whitney Bull, CCHT; Connie A. Jastremski, RN, MS, MBA, ANP-C, FCCM, chair of the SVHC Board of Trustees Board Quality Committee; Marylou Rivera, HT; and Donna Gunther, RN, BSN, CNN
BENNINGTON, Vt. — Throughout the month of August, the nurses of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), participated in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) RN Survey, which measures nurse job satisfaction. 
 
SVMC's nurses scored SVMC higher than the national average in all categories. 
 
"We have so many nurses and leaders from all areas working together to make SVMC the best place to build a satisfying nursing career, and those efforts are paying off," said Connie A. Jastremski, RN, MS, MBA, ANP-C, FCCM, chair of the SVHC Board of Trustees Board Quality Committee. "When nurses are happy and empowered, patients get the highest quality care. That's why these measures are so important."
 
Nurses from all departments rated the practice environment, staff participation in policy decisions, accessibility of chief nursing officer, job enjoyment, administration's demonstrated response to employee concerns, recognition for a job well done, adequate staffing and resources, nurse-physician working relationships, autonomy, and others.  
 
SVMC's nurses rated the hospital particularly high in a category designed to determine nurses' satisfaction with their role in making important decisions about care.  
 
"Members of the leadership team are present in clinical areas," said Debora Malachuk, RN, BSN, who has worked as a nurse in the Medical-Surgical Department for 16 years.  "They are quick to listen and support us in any way that we need. With that familiarity and collaboration, I feel empowered to make changes that positively impact my patients."
 
While all measures were positive compared with industry averages nationwide, the survey provided information about areas that hold the greatest opportunity for improvement, including the need to offer more career development and continuing education programs. It also identified departments that are thriving and those that need additional support.
 
"We are proud of the 2022 results and grateful for the information we need to improve even more," said Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care Services Pamela Duchene, APRN, PhD. Noting a gain in survey results over 2021, Duchene continued, "our year-over-year performance gives me great confidence that we have the systems and tools we need to continue the positive trend in ways that matter most to our nurses."
 
Developed by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and administered by Press Ganey, the NDNQI is a validated instrument for measuring nurse satisfaction and hospital quality. The program database examines the relationships between nursing satisfaction and patient outcomes. Healthcare systems use the information to guide nursing strategy. More than 2,000 U.S. hospitals and 98 percent of Magnet-recognized facilities participate in the NDNQI program.

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Companion Corner: Odie at Second Chance

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, VT — There is a sweet Beagle boy waiting for his new family to play with.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. 

Odie is a four year old Beagle who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to him. 

"He came to us with another beagle friend because his previous owner was moving. As you can see he's a very loving, sweet, sweet boy. He loves his toys and he loves to snuggle. He also loves going outside and running and rolling in all the grass, frolicking along the grass." 

Odie loves his stuffies and will even play with other dogs once he isn't shy.

"He does well with other dogs. He can be a little nervous at first meeting other pups, but he does do well with them. We think he'll get along with cats just fine, and kids too, as long as they're respectful."

He would love someone who will cuddle him and give him all of the pets he deserves and throw some stuffed toys around for him.

"The perfect home is honestly just someone who wants to give him snuggles and play with him. He's a pretty easygoing dude. He really just loves affection. Like he'll just come up to you and stand and wait for pets all the time. So, someone who wants a snuggle buddy, who's also you know he's a good age for a snuggle buddy, but also can play with him quite a bit."

He would also love someone who will take him outside to roll around and run as fast as he can or a long walk to enjoy some more sights he has yet to see.

"His favorite things again: toys, snuggles, kisses. Favorite activities are just going outside for walks. He loves to go for long walks with some of our volunteers."

He does not know basic commands like sit but he is very happy to learn.

While he did come to the shelter with some medical needs he is getting them treated and is healthy and ready for his new family.

"He came in and he was positive for Lyme and anaplasmosis, but we are treating him currently for that. Other than that, as far as we're aware, he's a pretty healthy, young boy."

If you need or want a new companion in your home consider meeting Odie.

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