New Jersey nurses, known for their compassion and service, returned the favor this week as they honored those individuals who have cared for them.
At its annual event, the Institute for Nursing (IFN) recognized New Jersey business and community leaders who continue to support the state’s nursing profession with the “Exceptional People Impacting our Communities” (EPIC) awards.
“Our honorees are acknowledged for their efforts to advance wellness and promote health care initiatives, and for exhibiting extraordinary leadership and support of the profession of nursing,” said Benjamin Evans, DD, DNP, RN, APN, chairman of the Institute for Nursing and president-elect of the New Jersey State Nurses Association. “As we honor our 2016 EPIC honorees, we must applaud their courage in assuming a leadership role within their communities and among their constituencies. Such an extension of self requires vision, faith in one’s abilities, and confidence in those who believe in the vision and seek to follow it. With their vision focused on achievement through service, our honorees have a deep appreciation of and capacity for excellence.”
The 2016 honorees, which were honored last night at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township include:
“From a human perspective, from a patient perspective, thank God for great nurses who are there for us when no one else is in the middle of the night when we are confused, concerned and we want to know who’s in charge and who’s the quarterback,” said Steve Adubato, an EPIC honoree for his advocacy and support of nurses and nursing on his public television shows. “The nurses are the quarterback.”
Adubato was recognized for being a strong advocate and supporter of the nursing profession. He has aired programs on the nursing shortage, nursing faculty shortage and the critical nature of nursing within the healthcare delivery system.
“Thank God for nurses,” said Adubato, noting that he was recently hospitalized. “The doctors were great and the surgeons were terrific, but there was some confusion at times as to who was in charge…who would be my advocate in the middle of the night when I was confused and concerned and not in the best condition to advocate for myself? It was the nurse. Every single nurse was assigned to me and several other patients advocated for me, took up my cause and was the quarterback of my case and got me the help I needed. I cannot imagine what that experience would have been like if it were not for the nurses in that ICU caring for me not just clinically, but when they knew I was afraid, confused and holding my hand.”
Fellow honoree Carol Kivler, founder of Lawrence-based Courageous Recovery, said nurses were sent from above.
“When I am sick in the hospital, the nurses are my voice when I have no voice, they are my hope when I have no hope and they are my comfort when I am so scared that I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Kivler said. “Nurses are angels on earth.”
As the fundraising arm of NJSNA, the Institute funds scholarships for nursing students and nurses advancing their education, provides quality continuing education programs and grants for nurses involved in research.
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