Nursing
Caring People Touching Lives
During the past 30 years, dramatic changes have taken place in the health
care delivery system. New knowledge and complex technologies have reshaped
the nursing practice, opening up new roles and opportunities. At Meadville
Medical Center, the RNs and LPNs are shaping the future of nursing and
health care. Nursing has become a challenging profession for men and women
who want to choose from a variety of roles, not only in direct patient
care but in administration, teaching, research or a combination of these.
Because these changes have come about so quickly, many people are not
aware of them.
Nurses are uniquely qualified to play an integral part in this transformation
process. Never before have so many opportunities existed for nurses to
take a leadership position in the evolutionary process of our health care
industry. As a catalyst for change, their role is to integrate traditional
delivery systems with preventive health technologies in order to provide
full continuum of care to the consumer. MaryAnn Hewston, Chief Nurse Executive,
ties this idea to Meadville Medical Center by saying, "We can handle
most of the same procedures and care that a large institution can. The
hospital as a whole, as well as our excellent nursing staff, are keeping
up with the times." Nursing success rests on their ability and commitment
to embrace change and take on the active management of their own careers.
Earlier emphasis was on care of the sick; now promotion of health is being
stressed. From the time a patient is admitted, discharge planning begins.
It is the nurse's job to teach the patient and their family and to
prepare the patient to go home. During this mechanical-like routine, the
personal side is never lost.
Each year goals for nursing care are established, monitored and evaluated.
Positive patient outcomes are the focus of all nursing care goals formulated
from Evidence Based Practice. Quality outcomes are monitored to ensure
excellent patient care.
Nurse staffing goals are established, monitored and evaluated to provide
optimum nursing care to our patients. These goals are based on historical
data, criticality of patient needs, and established industry norms. Patients
are provided nursing care within these goals by competent and skilled
nursing staff.
Nursing Mission Statement
Meadville Medical Center’s nursing staff is composed of compassionate
professionals who provide exceptional quality patient care based on best
practices.
Nursing Vision Statement
MMC nurses strive to be renowned for their expertise in the delivery of
compassionate patient care through a commitment to professional growth,
work excitement, state-of-the-art technology, and evidence-based practice.
This is accomplished in a supportive environment in which to grow professionally
through education, collaboration and professional practice.
The Nursing Department functions within the legal framework of the nursing
profession. The Department utilizes the standards of practice as identified
in the Pennsylvania Professional Nursing Act. Standards of practice are
also identified from guidelines set forth by Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
and ISO, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, insurance companies, and
acceptable community practice.
An holistic approach is used to encompass the entire patient's physical
as well as psychosocial situation. Priorities of nursing care include
such concepts as individualized care, patient dignity, patient rights,
and patient/family education.
Nursing care is designed to support improvement and innovation in nursing
practice. Nursing care is provided in support of the hospital's mission
and vision.
Quality improvement is an integral part of the Nursing Department and is
included in the various patient care units as they identify areas of potential
improvement. Extensive quality improvement education has been afforded
to the nursing management team as well as to the nursing staff members.
Patient satisfaction is a very important part of the nursing care delivery
concept. Ongoing improvement activities are used to improve our care and
service to our customers and to enhance patient outcomes.
Shared Decision Making (Governance) is the Professional Practice Model.
The nursing staff is encouraged to become involved in various councils
that make decisions on how nursing care is provided. Nursing staff have
an active voice in decision-making regarding nursing care. Organization
wide and unit specific councils are instrumental in implementing evidence
based practice in patient care. Meadville Medical Center provides opportunities
at several colleges and universities for further education. The Medical
Center supports many educational endeavors for the staff.
Nursing staff recruitment and retention is enhanced by many strategies
which include, but are not limited to:
- Shared Decision Making
- Council Structure and Participation
- Vacation Benefits
- Educational Assistance
- Cross Utilization of Staff
- Cross Training
- Flexcare
- Sick Time/Holiday Pay
- Orientation Plan
- Job Posting/Transfer Process
- Leave of Absence Policy
- Personal Days
- Pharmacy Benefit
- Seminars, Workshops
- Shift Differential
- Weekend Differential
- Social Activities
- Nurse Scheduling
- Certification - examination, educational assistance
- Graduate Professional Nurse Examination Benefits
- Computerization​
Contact Information
The Nursing Administration office is located at the Liberty Street facility
on the Ground Floor. The Chief Nurse Executive is MaryAnn Hewston, and
she can be reached at (814) 333-5960.