It’s a family affair for PHV’s Children’s Unit team
Psychiatric Hospital at Vanderbilt Magnet Champion Laura Zavisa, R.N., standing, right, talks with members of the Children’s Unit, from left: Ro Wallace, R.N., child unit coordinator; Emma Finan, R.N., utilization management; Loretta Smith, medical receptionist; John Jackson, clinical director; Kimberly Davis, coding specialist; and Cindy Jackson, child/adolescent social worker, about the upcoming Magnet visit.
Photo by Dana Johnson
Most VUMC personnel don't get the chance to visit the Children's Unit at the Psychiatric Hospital at Vanderbilt to see firsthand how vigorously this department is pursuing Magnet Recognition.
But behind closed doors, there is a beehive of activity where nurses, mental health specialists, social workers, physicians, patient education staff and medical receptionists are in constant motion taking care of their young patients' needs.
Laura Zavisa, R.N., takes her role as Magnet Champion seriously. “I went to the first few Magnet Meetings and was so impressed with what other nurses and staff were doing in their areas, but wondered how I could help Magnet fit us.”
Magnet Recognition is the highest level of recognition for health care centers that provide nursing care determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Only 2 percent of hospitals in the country are Magnet Hospitals. VUMC has more than 170 Magnet Champions or staff leaders representing every major department and clinic. The accreditation process will culminate with a site-visit this summer.
The Children's Unit is an eight-bed, inpatient floor of the hospital that serves children ages 4 to 12 who have shown dangerous behavior. These children are in crisis and have been referred from other providers, including the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Typically, patients stay in the unit for five to six days and receive care, family counseling and a plan for future support.
“I'm so proud of this unit,” said Johnny Woodard, R.N., staff development coordinator. “I know I can walk into the Children's Unit, and I'll be proud of what I see as soon as the door opens.”
Many of the 15 core staff members have been working in this unit for anywhere from 10 to 40 years, and in the process have become much like a family. It's this approach to teamwork that inspired Zavisa to develop a special tool for the Magnet process.
“I started thinking how I could show off my work family. I decided to tell our story and get our staff further invested in the Magnet process by creating a family album of the unit,” said Zavisa.
Armed with a disposable camera from a local drugstore, a simple three-ring binder and a supportive husband who helped her navigate basic layout and design, Zavisa developed a tangible, motivating family album for the Children's Unit that shows each staff member illustrating one of the 14 Forces of Magnetism.
Thumbing through the album, each page contains a narrative with specific examples and lots of pictures of team members doing their jobs, interacting with patients and working closely with one another.
The Magnet Force 3: Management Style page describes how Ro Wallace, R.N., child/adolescent unit coordinator, speaks daily with everyone – including assessment staff, pharmacy, housekeeping, health information management, nutritional services and unit staff – for efficient and effective management of patient care and the unit. The photo shows Wallace at work with Medical Receptionist Loretta Smith.
Flipping to Force 13, there are pictures of staff at work, intermingling and showing the constant collaboration and coordination required in this department. Accompanying photos show how the roles of everyone from the maintenance staff to the clinical director are vital to the high level of patient care offered.
Zavisa involved each staff member in developing the album. She told everyone why she was taking pictures. She sat down with each individual and discussed how each specifically exhibits Magnet behaviors, and by doing so, helped teach the key components of the process.
She also answered questions and showed each person how crucial they are to the unit's overall day-to-day operation.
After having individual conversations, she presented the completed book at a recent unit board meeting.
“There's a cohesive relationship among the Children's Unit that you just can't put into words, which is why the pictures are so important,” said Zavisa. “It's a relationship of respect, experience and working toward common goals that drive everything we do.”
Zavisa is preparing for the next stage of her unit's Magnet pursuit. She's already planning the Children's Unit's own version of Magnet Moments, plans to purchase a few more disposable cameras to have on hand and is encouraging staff members to take pictures of their colleagues doing Magnet work. Those pages will be added to the album and presented at future unit board meetings.
“This unit shines as an example of all of the principles of Magnet Recognition,” said Woodard. “They are a trophy in our case.”