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CONGRATULATIONS! Ms. Lois Beatty, Director of Nursing, is “NURSE OF THE YEAR”
On October 25th at the Health Care Association of New Jersey’s 65th Annual Convention at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, Ms. Lois Beatty, Director of Nursing at Broadway House for Continuing Care was presented with this year’s “Nurse of the Year Award”. Ms. Beatty, a lifelong resident of Newark, attending grammar, high school and college in the city, has continued her professional career as a BSN, RN, and DON, giving back to the community she so dearly loves. Lois is a lifelong member of one of the largest Black churches in Newark, Metropolitan Baptist, where she works with the following ministries: Chairwoman of the AIDS & HealthCare Ministry organizing health screenings, referrals and counseling; Women’s Ministry where she helped to incorporate aroma and massage therapies; Printing & Publishing Ministry; Literary Program; and Social Concerns Committee. Responsible for a clinical staff of 90 RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, here at Broadway House, Lois has succeeded in transforming her nursing staff into a committed, loyal, skilled, sensitive team in which each individual takes initiative to ensure excellent treatment and to improve clinical skills. The growing number of residents who are made well enough to be discharged back into the community is a testament to Lois' commitment and skills. Lois not only pursues excellence herself but encourages her staff to take on the challenge of additional certifications. She seeks out educational opportunities for staff and develops innovative ways to help fund them. Lois' extraordinary management skills enable her to move her staff beyond traditional treatment modalities into the incorporation of alternative and non-traditional treatment modalities when they will benefit residents. Following research and consideration, Lois actively pursued the incorporation of alternative therapies into treatment options. Nursing staff are credentialed at delivering hand massage. The facility also pays for residents and staff to receive chiropractic care. Chronic pain is particularly prevalent among HIV/AIDS patients and these therapies have significantly increased mobility while reducing pain. Lois spearheaded the creation of a Resident Health Spa Treatment Center in the facility. She proposed plans, chose decorations, flooring and cabinet design. There is a therapeutic hot tub and sauna, hydraulic lift bath system with wheelchair access, and an area for massage and aromatherapy. Staff have been specifically trained and certified to perform supplemental treatment therapies. Lois always has an open door to staff, residents, and family members and all find benefit in walking in and sitting down with her. She calls these break times her "chat and chew" time. Lois uses her time with them for many purposes—for mentoring, for talking through barriers to care, for empowering her staff by encouraging them to pursue their individual interests, for preventing staff burnout. She finds creative ways to provide staff with the personal time they need and creative ways to staff the facility appropriately. She extends her availability to weekends and evening hours, coming in to the facility on most weekends and staying some evenings to make herself available to all three nursing shifts and to show her support to all the nursing staff. Lois continues to spread the message of excellence in HIV/AIDS Patient Care, most recently as a speaker for the New England AIDS Education and Training Center and the AETC in Baltimore. |
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Broadway House For Continuing Care - 298 Broadway Newark, New Jersey 07104 - (973) 268-9797 |