In a recent interview with Barbara Boyer, she talks about how Meridian Health provided her opportunities to continue her education.
Barbara decided to go to nursing school after caring for her father and seeing nurses in action in several different hospitals. This was her only experience with nursing until her clinical rotations as a student nurse. When she heard about the Student Nurse Extern program with Meridian Health, she applied and was accepted. Barbara was assigned to Mehandru 7 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Nurse Manager, JoAnn Watson, RNBC, MPA, CNA hired Barbara after her externship to work as a Patient Care Associate until graduating and becoming an RN. Barbara said, “It was an excellent experience and really helped me transition from student to Registered Nurse.” When asked why she stayed on Mehandru 7 as an RN, Barbara said, “As I went through different types of units in clinicals I just didn’t feel I wanted to work in any of those areas.
When I started on Mehandru 7, I liked caring for the medical and cardiac patients. I liked the people and the unit.”
Since graduation in 2002, Barbara has continued to advance her career as an RN through many of the opportunities offered at Meridian. First in orientation and then through the Nursing Education department she has honed her clinical skills and increased her expertise as a cardiac nurse by attending many of the NJSNA approved classes that are offered. Cardiology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nancy Bowe, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNS manages the NJSNA continuing education providorship as well as providing education and clinical support to the nurses and patients of Mehandru 7 and other cardiac units at JSUMC.
“As soon as I was eligible, I applied to the Clinical Advancement and Recognition of Excellence (C.A.R.E.) program. It’s a great opportunity.” Barbara has since advanced on the C.A.R.E. program to the Clinical Scholar level. “I can’t imagine anyone not doing it. I’ve helped at least four nurses on my unit advance.” As a Clinical Scholar, she has become a certified Preceptor, and become involved in both the Patient Education committee and the Patient Safety committee on her unit. “We are able to make a difference for our patients and improve their care”, said Barbara.
Barbara has also taken advantage of other educational opportunities at Meridian. After taking the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification review course offered by Meridian, Barbara successfully completed the ANCC examination in Medical Surgical Nursing and received her national certification, RN,C. Barbara is also perusing her BSN degree with Seton Hall University. She doesn’t have to travel too far for her classes, since most of the classes are offered at Ocean Medical Center. Meridian has made special agreements and affiliations with various universities and colleges for continuing education opportunities through the Ann May Center for Nursing. Tuition reimbursement and scholarships ease the financial burden. “It’s just another one of those opportunities that I can’t imagine not taking. I don’t know what it’s like to work at other hospitals but I can’t see going anywhere else”, said Barbara.
