Leslie Callaway BSN, RN, CMSRN, BBA, was working in the marketing industry before her twin daughters were born three months premature—an experience that gave her a front-row seat to the herculean efforts nurses make.
Now RN Discharge Navigator at SCL Health Lutheran Medical Center, Leslie is helping to make healthcare better for her fellow providers, as well as the patients they serve.
What are your main responsibilities and activities during an average shift?
The focus of my role is to use my knowledge and critical thinking skills to anticipate, identify and remove barriers in order to facilitate a safe and timely discharge for our patients. I, along with the other two RN Discharge Navigators, facilitate morning rounds on the units with the highest discharge volume and then touch base with providers throughout the day. We introduced and now utilize the Qventus Pathfinder board in those multidisciplinary rounds. We work closely with care managers, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, RNs and providers to keep issues and delays from reaching the bedside nurse, so they are able to focus on direct patient care.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
There are times it is challenging to be a positive change agent. Most people are resistant to change but change is often needed to provide the best care possible in our dynamic healthcare industry.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
There are too many rewards to list in this current role and as a RN in general!
What is one common misconception about nursing that you wish could be clarified for everyone?
I really had no idea the amount of time a nurse spends with their patients until my twins were born three months premature. My husband and I spent a lot of time in the NICU and usually saw the doctor once a day. The nurses were with our daughters 24 hours a day; the nurses gave us the nightly update when we called before we went to bed. The nurses made sure our babies were healthy, safe and loved when we were not able to be with them. It was that experience that inspired me leave my marketing career and go to nursing school.
What is your “superpower” that helps you succeed as a nurse?
My nurse "superpower"? Working in a great hospital with amazing people all determined to provide the best care possible.
What “superpower” do you wish you had that would make your job easier?
A superpower that would make my job easier? Probably a cape. Isn't that what enhances a superpower?
How has new technology impacted your role in the past few years?
I think the biggest impact new technology has had on my role the last few years is the fact that it seems to be changing at lightning speed. The care we used to provide a patient over a three- or four-day stay still occurs, it is just condensed into a 24- to 48-hour period.
How do you use Qventus in your daily routine? How has this made your life easier?
I now use Qventus in daily rounds and throughout the day. It is a great way to communicate a quick summary of what is happening with the patient and what is needed in order to help them on to the next step in their healthcare journey.
Why do you love what you do?
Why do I love my job? Because each day I am in the hospital I learn something new. Every day.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared on Qventus' website.
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