Meet some of the local nurses honored by the Great Nurses program

The nurses were honored by the Great Nurses program:

Acute adult services and stroke coordinator, UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital

Carrie Lawson, 31, grew up in Cedar Rapids, and currently lives in Coralville with husband, Trent. They are awaiting the arrival of their first child, a little girl, due to arrive in early May.

Where did you receive your nurse's training?

I attended Mount Mercy University for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Ashford University for my Master’s of Health Care Administration.

How long have you been a nurse? What area do you work in?

I have been a nurse for nine years, but have worked in health care for 13 years as a CNA/patient care tech, floor nurse, hospitalist’s nurse, and currently work as an advance practice nurse.

What's an average day like for you, before COVID-19?

Prior to COVID, my job was not a typical floor nurse role. As an APN, I support various units and hospital initiatives around nursing education, competencies, regulation, policy and procedure, local and system initiatives and research. Every day is different and very rewarding. I lead or participate in a variety of committees and councils that impact patient care, safety, regulation, etc. I have had the opportunity to work with great people, grow new nurses, challenge experienced nurses and even present at a national conference.

How has COVID-19 affected your job?

When the pandemic hit the Midwest in March 2020, I was asked to support another manger and colleague to open up a new unit for our non-critical care COVID patients. This was an exciting, yet scary, challenge with all of the fear and unknowns of the pandemic. We were ready to open within a few days after a great team effort from environmental services, dining services, linen, maintenance and many other departments — it took a team. With this new unit, we were able to bring team members from other floors and even the Surgery Center to work together as one big team.

When the second surge hit in the fall of 2020, I worked as a floor nurse about 50 percent of my shifts at work. I was a COVID nurse and a telemetry nurse and everything in between, working day, evening and night shifts. It was great to work alongside so many great floor nurses as we got through the ever-changing COVID world.

Any reflections to share on the past year?

The past year was challenging but allowed me and our St. Luke’s team to grow and adapt in many positive ways. We have been able to make changes on the fly so we know it is possible. There was a lot of sadness and heartache with the patients and families that we cared for, but there was also a lot of healing and positive patient outcomes as well. I am so proud of our teams and the way everyone came together for the patients and did what needed to be done.

Anything people would be surprised to learn about you?

I love to travel and anything outside: run, bike, garden, etc.

Any advice for people interested in going into nursing?

Nursing is a very rewarding career. You have a chance to help others on their worst days, to help them heal and reach their goals or get back to baseline health. The opportunities are endless and allow flexibility as one’s life stages change. Becoming a nurse was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Accreditation coordinator, Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids

Jenny, 33, grew up outside Springville with four older siblings. “Growing up my family was very active, participating in almost every sport Springville offered. I still enjoy being active by running and biking as much as I can.” Jenny now lives in Marion and has two daughters, ages 3 and 6. “I moved away from the Marion/Cedar Rapids area for about seven years, and am very happy to be back in the community.”

Where did you receive your nurse's training?

I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Coe College in Cedar Rapids and my Master of Science in Nursing (specializing in Nursing Informatics) from Capella University in Minneapolis.

How long have you been a nurse? What area do you work in?

I have been a nurse for 11 years. Currently, I work in a regulatory position for Mercy Medical Center but have worked as a registered nurse in hospice and acute care in the past.

How has COVID-19 affected your job?

Hospital regulations change frequently so I am always reading up on the latest rules and regulations and recommendations from Medicare/Medicaid, Joint Commission and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. However, I have never experienced so many regulatory changes in such a short amount of time as we experienced with COVID. The requirements and recommendations changed almost daily and, therefore, we had to update policies and educate staff daily. We had a great leadership team paving the way, but I had a great deal of empathy for the patient care staff caring for our patients while also having to adapt to new policies and practices.

Anything people would be surprised to learn about you?

I race in a sport called “cyclocross,” which most people have never heard of. You can think of it as an obstacle course on a bicycle — sometimes you’re riding your bike through snow, mud, over railroad ties and sometimes carrying it up a set of steps, never quite know what to expect.

Any advice for people interested in going into nursing?

I cannot say enough wonderful things about the nursing profession. It is such a dynamic field to enter as you can take so many different directions and have such a variety of options. I have worked in patient care in hospital and hospice settings, informatics, regulatory and quality since obtaining my nursing license. My advice: If you aren’t satisfied in a certain area of nursing, do not leave; there are endless opportunities. Explore them.

Interim nurse manager, Walk-in Clinics, University of Iowa Community Clinics, Iowa City

Katie, 29, has lived all over the country — Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. “I was born right here in Iowa City at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and came back here to stay. I now consider Iowa my home. I live with my significant other, Dylan, and we share two fur babies; a dog, Opie, and cat, Minerva.”

Where did you receive your nurse's training?

I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa in 2013 (Go Hawks!) and my Master of Business Administration from the University of Dubuque in 2017.

How long have you been a nurse? What area do you work in?

I have been a nurse for eight years. I initially started in the Emergency Department and transitioned to Urgent Care and Occupational Health in 2019.

What's an average day like for you, before COVID-19?

Prior to COVID, I was managing the two Urgent Care clinics as well as Occupational Health. I traveled between the clinics, providing support to staff and patients. No two days in my career have ever been the same and that definitely helped me prepare for 2020.

How has COVID-19 affected your job?

When COVID came to Iowa, the Community Clinics team I work with immediately set up a clinic to help support the care the potential COVID or COVID-positive patients would require. The Influenza-like Illness (ILI) clinic has morphed over the past 13 months, going from a six-room clinic to telemedicine, a testing drive-through, and an evaluation and management clinic for respiratory patients. The ILI clinic has become a semi-permanent part of our clinic structure that I now help to manage. We have seen many fluctuations over the year with different COVID surges, CDC guideline changes, and now, vaccinations.

Any reflections to share on the past year?

The last year was the hardest year of my career yet. Although it was tough, I feel so thankful to have an amazing work team whose innovation and compassion truly helped better the lives of thousands of patients. Every day we learned and grew together, and I feel confident that we have come out on the “other side” of the pandemic stronger. COVID has not left our community, and we now are working to provide a long-term structure to support COVID care in our community.

Anything people would be surprised to learn about you?

One of my greatest passions is Hawkeye sports. I have a Hawkeye tattoo, and my family has had two dogs named after Hawkeye greats: Parker and Hayden.

Any advice for people interested in going into nursing?

Spend time shadowing, volunteering or working in the medical field to get experience and start finding out what your passions are. The nursing field has so many career choices and paths. It’s one of the things that makes the profession so great. I would never have imagined as a young nursing school student where my career would have taken me, but I truly love my job and am so passionate about the care my team helps provide to the community.

Cardiology case manager, VA Health Care System, Iowa City

Where did you receive your nurse's training?

Kirkwood Community College

How long have you been a nurse? What area do you work in?

I have been a nurse at the Iowa City VA for almost 31 years. All but four of those years, I have worked in cardiology, including 15 years in the cardiac cath lab.

What's an average day like for you, before COVID-19?

I work in a very busy cardiology clinic and, as with any job in health care, you have to be ready for curveballs to come your way. No day ever really goes exactly as planned. With cardiac patients, you especially have to be able to think on your feet and make quick but sound decisions. We are busy, but our days go by quickly.

How has COVID-19 affected your job?

Early in the pandemic, I spent three months assisting in the emergency room. I can’t lie, it was a very frightening time, as we knew so little about the virus back then. There were mornings I cried in the shower getting ready for work, wondering if that was the day I would get sick. But as we learned more, it became less scary and now it’s really more of an inconvenience. Every process seems to take 10 extra steps because of all the precautions. Most patients are very understanding, but you feel bad having to make it more difficult for people to receive care. Despite it all, we are managing to get things done.

Any reflections to share on the past year?

I hope everyone just stays the course. I see a little more light at the end of the tunnel every day. Continue to be kind to one another, and even if you don’t believe that wearing a mask helps, ask yourself what can it hurt? If it’s possible that it will keep one person from getting sick, why would you not want to do that?

Anything people would be surprised to learn about you?

I have a second career, preparing income taxes, which keeps me very busy for three months out of the year.

My two greatest passions outside of work are riding my bicycle and listening to and playing music. My love of music prompted me to start taking guitar lessons at 40 years of age, and I now occasionally play and sing in front of people, which is something I never dreamed I would do. I am also a lifelong Cedar Rapidian and a big believer in ‘paying it forward.’ I try to stay active in various charitable organizations within my community and really enjoy being involved.

Any advice for people interested in going into nursing?

Nursing is not a career you will ever regret. It can be challenging, and it’s hard work, but at the end of every day you get to go home and know you made a difference in someone else’s life.

There are also so many different types of nursing jobs that there really is something for everyone. I look forward to my retirement, but I will always cherish what I accomplished as a nurse and be glad that I chose a career where I know I made a difference.