Nursing at Memorial Hospital
Robin McNabb, MSN, MHA, RN
Welcome to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital's Department of Nursing. Our hospital understands the profound contribution that our nurses make on a regular basis. Whether in the ambulatory or inpatient setting, our nurses directly impact every patient outcome and are essential to the success of our organization. I continue to be impressed with the level of caring, the depth of knowledge, and the quality of the clinical experience of our nurses. You can be proud to work in a progressive organization that continues to bring innovative care and programs to patients while continuing to enhance our nurses' well-being.
Cerification
Board Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in ensuring high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex. While a Registered Nurse license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive continuing education and a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.
Bakersfield Memorial Hospital encourages national board certification for all its nurses, recognizing that professional certification is the highest validation of clinical excellence in a nursing specialty. At Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, we support Nurses on their journey to board certification through our Nursing Specialty Certification Reimbursement Program. This program provides reimbursement of the initial application/exam fees for a nationally recognized certification, a value of up to $500.
We encourage you to become certified to validate your amazing contribution to patient care. We look forward to you setting certification goals and hope to see you at our next Certified Nurses Day on March 19th.
Higher Education
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses (2015) establishes standards for professional nursing, including a commitment to lifelong learning. Memorial Hospital is committed to lifelong learning and financially supports higher education for nurses seeking advanced degrees. Professional agreements and Annual Tuition reimbursement benefits are available to assist with these costs for employees seeking Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Degrees. If you are a current Dignity Health employee you can learn more information on your unique eligibility for tuition reimbursement by visiting Employee Central.
Memorial Hospital is ANCC Pathway to Excellence® Designated
Pathway to Excellence designation was established in 2007 by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), created from the foundation of the Texas Hospital Friendly Award that was established in 2003. Memorial Hospital is the only Pathway to Excellence Designated facility in California. Nurses who choose to work at a Pathway to Excellence designated facility are committed to providing an environment that promotes the highest standards of patient care. Our core value of excellence asks that we serve the healthcare ministry by exceeding the expectations of others and ourselves. Our nursing excellence protects, promotes, and improves healthcare for all through Pathway to Excellence.
Accreditation With Distinction
Memorial Hospital joins a group of elite organizations from around the globe that has earned the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Accreditation With Distinction for the hospital’s RN Residency Program. The first in the San Joaquin Valley to receive accreditation for their new graduate nurse residency program.
“We are honored to receive this recognition by the ANCC. It is yet another demonstration of Memorial’s commitment to the pursuit of clinical excellence by our nurses and caregivers,” states Ken Keller, President and CEO of Memorial Hospital. “Participation in this program ensures that our nurse residents have a robust, effective mentorship period that helps guide their clinical journey and immerses them in the hospital’s cultural experience during their initial year in practice.”
The evidence-based curriculum offers nurse residents at Memorial Hospital a collaborative learning environment to successfully transition into clinical practice. Residents are given the opportunity to work alongside experienced clinicians and learn in a real-life setting to be better prepared and more confident as they enter the workforce.
“Memorial Hospital is dedicated to our RN Transition to Practice Program,” said Robin McNabb, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hospital. “Since 2009, our 12-month nurse residency program has provided a comprehensive structure that includes education, orientation, support, mentoring, and professional development. The development and design of the program allow for nurse residents to transition into safe clinical practice efficiently and supports continual professional growth through their first year of nursing practice.”
New graduate nurse residents who undergo a residency program feel more prepared for their roles and have increased work satisfaction, confidence in communication skills, and improved patient outcomes. RN residents at Memorial Hospital work alongside nurses in critical care, labor and delivery, surgery, pediatrics, emergency department, and other departments throughout the hospital. Memorial Hospital also offers a Transition Fellowship program for experienced nurses with more than one year of clinical experience who are interested in transitioning into a new specialty of practice. Transition Fellows receive the same training and education as a new graduate nurse resident. Please visit our Careers webpage for more information about our Transition Fellowship program.
The DAISY Foundation established the DAISY Award in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of ITP, an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of the nurses who cared for Patrick, so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.
Nursing has shared decision-making between clinical nurses and nurse leaders, including nursing research, evidence-based practice, new equipment purchasing, workflows, and staffing. This critical concept allows active engagement in positive patient outcomes, role satisfaction, and professional development. Shared governance supports our core value of inclusion, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. Collaboration, another core value, allows for open communication to overcome barriers and provide care for our most vulnerable and underserved patients.
