SE14a

 

Recognition of Nursing SE14

 

Provide one example, with supporting evidence, of the organization’s recognition of a clinical nurse(s) for their contribution(s) in addressing the strategic priorities of the organization.  

 

 

Example a: Service Hero Award Recognition of a Clinical Nurse

Organizational Strategic Priority

CommonSpirit Health (CSH) is the overarching organization for Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) St. Vincent Hot Springs (SVHS). CSH’s Organizational Strategic Plan 2026 (developed in 2022) has three strategic pillars: Our People, Our Excellence, and Our Future. The Excellence pillar is defined as “relentlessly pursue clinical excellence and equitable whole person care that is considered outstanding in all CommonSpirit care settings.” (Evidence SE14a-1, CSH 2026 5 Year Organizational Strategic Plan)

 

As a health system, CHI SVHS is evaluated for achieving its strategic initiatives based on six CommonSpirit themes centered around the organization’s strategic priorities: Service to Community, Engagement, Clinical Service, Growth, Transformation, and Financial. The CSH 2026 strategic plan cascades down to the CHI SVHS FY 2021-2025 Nursing Strategic Plan. Nurses can engage in service to the community while meeting organizational strategic priorities. CHI defines Service to the Community as: “caring for those who need it most by engaging, contributing to, and utilizing nursing knowledge, skill, compassion, evidence-based practice, and research to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

 

CHI SVHS recognizes clinical nurses’ role in effecting wide-reaching changes in the healthcare system and community. Clinical nurses at all levels of the healthcare system contribute to its strategic priorities by collaborating with leaders to set goals, develop strategies, improve processes and resolve issues to provide excellent nursing care to patients and community members in need. (Evidence SE14a-2, CHI SVHS Nursing Strategic Plan FY21-FY25)

 

Clinical Nurse Contribution Addresses Organizational Strategic Priority

Phillip Nahas, BSN, RN is a clinical nurse in the CHI SVHS Emergency Department. Nahas’ compassion in providing for others led a fellow nurse to nominate him for the Service Hero Award in January 2023. This nurse wrote the following Service Hero Award nomination for Nahas:

 

“During the recent winter storm, when temperatures dropped into the single digits, we had a homeless patient come to our department seeking mental help. The patient had lost his father one year prior to coming to our ER and was having a very difficult time. After our staff assisted with setting the patient up to go to a shelter and receive outpatient services, upon leaving, the patient only had a torn short-sleeved shirt and pants in his possession. Our ER currently takes donations from coworkers for clothes that can be provided to patients once they discharge, however, we did not have a jacket in his size. As I was rummaging through the ER clothes box, this particular coworker asked what I was looking for and after I explained, the coworker gave me his personal jacket to give to this patient. This coworker showed so much compassion and empathy toward this patient and demonstrated our facility’s core values. He is always a team player and is a constant source of helpful knowledge.” (Evidence SE14a-3, Service Hero Award Nomination Letter)

 

Nahas clearly demonstrated what it means to live out the CHI SVHS mission. The compassionate approach in providing basic needs for a patient establishes a stable foundation of compassionate care that resonates within CHI SVHS and its surrounding communities. Nahas’ act of compassion contributed to the strategic priority of Service to the Community.

 

Clinical Nurse Receives Organizational Recognition

CHI SVHS uses the Service Hero Award to recognize an individual for an outstanding contribution. Service Hero Award nomination forms are available in boxes throughout the hospital and online, with everyone, including patients, families, coworkers, and leaders, encouraged to nominate an individual or team of coworkers or volunteers who are observed going the “extra mile.”

 

Service Hero Award stories about individuals or teams are submitted for initial review to the Praise and Celebration Team, which then submits recommendations to the CHI SVHS president for final selection. Service Hero Award stories are selected if they recognize coworkers performing above the level expected for the job.

 

Leadership Forum
Once a superior Service Hero Award story is selected, the individual or team is presented the award at the monthly Leadership Forum, where leaders from throughout the organization recognize and celebrate the achievement. The staff from the award recipient’s department(s) are also invited to the forum to participate in the celebration. The nomination is read aloud, and the award recipient receives a trophy and has their picture taken with coworkers from their department, the department leaders, and/or executive leaders.

 

The Praise and Celebration Team chose Clinical Nurse Nahas for the Service Hero Award for his contribution to the Service to the Community CHI strategic priority as demonstrated by his compassion and dedication to patients and coworkers, and throughout the ministry. Nahas accepted the recognition certificate and plaque at the February 17, 2023 Leadership Forum. (Evidence SE14a-4, Leadership Forum Minutes and Roster)

 

Electronic Platforms
Nahas’ picture and nomination summary were posted to the OneSpirit Blog on the CHI Insider website and shared by email with every employee in the organization. (Evidence SE14a-5, OneSpirit Blog – February 2023 Service Hero Recognition)