SCH employees share thoughts after receiving Magnet recognition

SCH has achieved Magnet status, and nurses are celebrating and sharing their pride and appreciation throughout the hospital:

"Magnet recognition has come after four years of hard work from many, many people. I’d love to say it’s just a nursing initiative, but this is really a hospital-wide event, and I’m very, very excited and proud to be a part of this and to be the person who represents nursing here, but really the hard work is that of the staff nurses at the bedside, and I’m really, really happy to be here and it’s just an exciting day in the history of Swedish Covenant Hospital." -- Mary Shehan, RN, CNO

"It’s an incredible day. The journey to Magnet status is just that — a journey. And this is a milestone. It's great to see the personal enthusiasm and professional commitment of so many people. This is a fantastic group of employees and nurses who just go above and beyond to care for our patients in the most extraordinary way. And you can just feel the pride—that’s just a wonderful thing." -- CEO Mark Newton

“I was crying, because we have been trying so hard and working for so long and now. The efforts nurses have made have spread inspiration to the whole hospital.” – Sowon Kim, RN (3 North)

“I’m very proud of the staff. They stepped up to the plate and made us shine. We continue on this journey and we continue the good work we are doing striving for excellence.” – Mark Richardson, RN (Educator)

"It’s a marvelous culmination of a lot of hard work. Sometimes there was a lot of frustration because we were going into sort of uncharted waters and we had to learn as we went, but it was just a great coming together of nursing, the community, the physicians, everyone. It was a team effort, and for nursing, it was a particularly proud moment for us. And its just the beginning. I think that’s what we really heard today—it’s the beginning of our journey, so I’m very happy." -- Pauline Sedlarz, RN (ED)

"We are so excited to receive Magnet recognition. Everyone has worked so hard; congratulations to all involved. It has been a fantastic journey so far and the journey continues.” – Elizabeth Miniscalco, RN (Cancer Center)

“I’m really proud to be a part of this organization and thank Mary Shehan for this recognition. She is really an inspiration to all nurses.” – Elsa Karot, RN (5 East)

“Being Magnet is a great way to showcase our hospital. People will want to come if we are Magnet. The delivery of excellent care is delivered each and every day. It’s wonderful being part of this institution.” – Laura Beagley (PACU)

“We are very happy, but we are also keeping in mind that we need to live up to Magnet status, and we’ll take on that task every day. The Magnet journey continues!” – Bonnie Ossmo (Nursing Administration)

“I’m happy and elated I think I’m going to cry and my mascara will run. I work with the most beautiful people who show such caring and warm feelings for the patients, and every day I see more and more nurses wanting to continue their education and even get their master’s (degrees) thanks to the Magnet program.” – Barbara Yanula, RN (ICU)

“Moving forward we will continue to hold up the banner of a Magnet hospital of true excellence.” – Ruth Oroszco, RN (AP 5)

“It’s a really exciting moment, and it makes me really want to focus on doing my work the best.”  -- Rosette Tejada, RN (4 South)

“This is fabulous for nurses and fabulous for the hospital. And patients will love to hear that we are a Magnet hospital. It’s a great selling point for the hospital and for nurse recruiting.” – Maryanne Graf, RN (4 North)

“It is a privilege to be one of only 24 hospitals in Illinois to get this.” – Dominic Lobo, RN (4 North)

“It is really emotional and the tears are flowing because we’ve  been wanting this so badly and working so hard. We deserve this.” – Mayflor Bondoc, RN (4 South)

“It’s an honor to receive this and a reflection of all the hard work our nurses do every day.” -- Joanne Shearer, RN (Education)
“People prefer Magnet hospitals, so this is very exciting.” – Alphonsa Matthew, RN (5 East)

“It’s really an honor to receive this designation. As a manager I’m proud to represent our hospital. Excellence is all around us.” – Luella De La Cruz, RN (5 East)

A video with these and more reactions is available online on the new Media Center on the SwedishCovenant.org Web site and on the hospital Intranet.

To view through the hospital Intranet, click here.
To view on the SwedishCovenant.org Media Center, click here.

The video will also be shown at the Manager’s Meeting and STAR awards, both to be held on Thursday, May 27. 

Please note: videos may not be accessible from all hospital computers.