Type Of Business:
Nursing organization
Major Product/SVS:
Nursing services
Favorite Business Publication:
American Journal of Nursing; Nursing Leadership; Organizational Leadership; Time Magazine
Hobbies/Sports:
Collecting coupons; Beach combing
Education Degrees:
Pursuing Master's Degree in Leadership; Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Columbia Southern University (2000); Associate Degree in Nursing, The University of New York (1983)
Place of Birth:
Los Angeles
State/Country of Origin:
California
Children's Names:
Dana Marie Scott; BSA/Education
Melissa Scott-Bagwell; BS/IT Informatics
Drew Scott-Evan; grandson; kindergarten
Date of Distinction:
8/16/2011
Work History:
Clinical Coordinator, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Beaufort, SC
Telemetry/ICU step-down; Morgan Freeman Hospital, Marina Del Rey, CA
Project Manager for Nursing Services, St. Mary's Hospital, Athens, GA
Adjunct Faculty, DeKalb College, Covington, GA
Pain Management Coordinator, Newton Medical Ctr, Covington, GA
Education Staff/Patient educator, Newton Medical Ctr. Covington, GA
Director of Education, Walton Medical Center, Monroe, GA
Clinical Manager Med-Surge, Walton Medical Center, Monroe, GA
PACU Charge Nurse, St. Mary's Outpatient Surgery Center,
Athens, GA
First Surgical Assistant, Athens Orthopedic Clinic, Athens, GA
Staff Nurse St. Mary's Med-Surge
Career Achievements:
Worked individually to achieve a LPN diploma, but did not stop there. I continued my education with a A.D.N. in Nursing and a B.S. in Human Resource Management. I will begin coursework in January 2012 toward a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership.
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Dedication, commitment, desire, sense of accomplishments, tenacious, the love of learning while giving the love of teaching, intelligent.
One shift one night, I was in charge of 16 med/surge patients with only one LPN assistant. No secretary, No CNA, Within a 30 minute time frame we had two cardiac arrests and one fire. I handled it all and completed the shift all while caring for the remaining patients/families, ran both ACLS codes, and ran the Code Red. Although I struggled with returning back to work the following morning, I did. And I never let anyone see me sweat. I knew then, I could do this, do it right, do the right thing at the right time, the first time, every time.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
When my nursing students selected my to be their Commencement Speaker, I did not need to receive any more accomplishments in my life. After all, they listened to me daily for over two years, and they still wanted more from me. I call that an achievement.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
Happy, great sense of humor in a non-sensical profession. nurturing, leadership skills, preceptor/mentor, tenacious, intelligent, caring and known for the golden rule. I always challenged my staff to place them self in their patients positions before making quick judgment. I encouraged them to never let a patient die alone. Never give up hope, it may be the last thing anyone has left. I always left staff take personal time before myself and I stayed until the last staff member could leave. I left no one behind.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
A world wide humanitarian right that all human beings have the right to quality health care. A discipline of health care includes diet and nutrition. A world wide humanitarian project offering nutrition to the sick and the indigent. This is the first step toward wellness.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
I would like to have lunch with former President Jimmy Carter. I am in awe of his successes from the Cater Center. I am drawn to his demonstrated Leadership skills. I support his principles of practice: emphasis on action and results; not duplicating the efforts of others; addressing difficult problems and recognizing the possibility of failure as an acceptable risk; acting neutral in dispute resolution activities; and believing that people can improve their lives when provided with the necessary skills, knowledge, and access to resources.
Expanded Biography:
I was 22 yrs old when I was diagnosed with systemic lupus. I never let it deter my dream of becoming a nurse. I really did not know where I wanted to offer my services in this world. I did know that I was service oriented. I sought fields such as medicine, education, social services, etc, but nursing was my calling. I studied nursing while raising two children and dealing with those aggravating SLE interferences, but I achieved a diploma as a licensed Practical Nurse. This, is course, was just the beginning. My family and I were living during the recession of the 80's and finances were scarce. My husband, Danny, worked double shifts to support me and he worked his hours to provide childcare while I attended school. One of my finest memories was the night of commencement, wearing the angelic white dress uniform, holding a lit candle, being pinned , and reciting the Nightingale pledge. We where standing in a small church, lights drawn low, my eyes drawn to the eyes of my family who appeared so proud and happy. I was looking directly at my husband feeling thoughts of great gratitude. My daughters, they were the ones I praying for. In that moment of my success, I wanted nothing more than my daughters to learn that they, too, can be successful and they should know their father and I would be there to support them in their future. It was one of those Ah, Ha moments like Oprah teaches.
As I worked on a medical and surgical clinic floor. LPNs had to be charge nurses, as well. RNs were usually in the office. I learned to love the art of medicine while nurturing my skills in nursing. I soon learned I wanted to learn more. Financially, resources fell short for my family to pursue further education at that time. So, I took the position that I could learn daily on the job. I wanted to round with physicians and listen as they spoke with their patients. I asked questions why certain medications and treatment plans were implemented. It wasn't long before I picked up the Handbook of Medical Surgical practices and began studying. I, also, learned transferring to other departments was a great resource for continued learning. I transferred to outpatient services, outpatient surgery and endoscopy. I wanted desperately to work the OR, but only RNs were allow. One day, while working, one the head leading orthopedic surgeons asked me if I would be interested in becoming his surgical assistant. I jumped at that opportunity. I got into that OR, even as an LPN. I watch the machine of the OR and was so attracted to the functioning of that department. I wanted to worked the recovery room (known today as PACU, post-anesthesia care unit), but only RNs were allowed. I continued to worked with my orthopod and soon learn the hospital we serviced offered a educational grant for employees pursuing a nursing degree.
So, I accepted a part-time job working 12 hour shifts every other weekend. Once I was accepted for the grant, I started my journey toward my RN degree. This wasn't easy. I had to change my status as the orthopedic first assistant to an as needed position. I took call, but did not work full time. I found another local community hospital and worked as needed there. During my studies toward the associate degree in nursing, I worked three separate positions, studied, all while raising two beautiful daughters. My husband and I missed allot of time, but we remained committed. My story continues as evidenced in my work history. I loved clinical nursing and the art of education. I loved to hold my patients hands while teaching about home care. I loved to hold my students hands while teaching patient care. Education quickly became my art of giving and I loved it. I have achieved a career of satisfaction in my performance and I never let my physical barriers prevent me from succeeding. I am proud of who I am and what I have given to society.
Yet, I am still grieving that my health has now become my patient. I am living with cardiomyopathy, heart failure, degenerative disk disease, and of course, my old buddy, Lupus. Today, I am the patient and one of my former co-worker is now my home health nurse. They say what goes around comes around. Let's see if I get the chance to hold my nurse's hand and teach her something, just one thing she never knew, or one trick of the trade to facilitate her practice. They say " the teacher can teach when the student is ready". I am ready. Are you?
Spouse's Name:
Danny Dunn Scott
Married January 01, 1974
Danny is a veteran who served 3 years during the Vietnam Era, and served 6 years in the Army Reserve. He served in the 571st Dust Off Unit assisting the wounded in battle return safely to medical services. He flew a Huey Helicopter into battle several times a day every day.
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight of her career was working with a dedicated health care team at Newton Medical Center under the administrative leadership of Mr. Jim Weadick, and the nursing leadership of Ms. Barbara Valentine, RN. They worked collectively as a team to meet JCAHO standards, while receiving a score of 99% with commendation. It has been the only self-actualized moment in her professional career. It was a successful and humbling opportunity.
Charity:
The American Red Cross; American Heart Association
Number Of Years In Profession:
29
Number Of Years In Current Position:
29
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her desire to give back to society.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because she wanted to serve others with the utmost commitment.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Managing the nursing staff; Making competency-based nurse/patient assignments; Addressing safety issues; Serving as an advocate for patients and their families; Mentoring other nurses; Participating in nurse leadership panels; Enduring quality patient care delivery; Providing clinical knowledge and wisdom to assign nursing staff with educated decision-making; Acting as a liaison for the physicians, nurses, patient/family, and all disciplines in health care
Awards/Honors:
Cover Story, Advanced Nursing Magazine (September 2004); Commencement Speaker DeKalb College of Nursing (2002); Employee of the Year; Registered Nurse of the Year; Who's Who Among Young Professionals; Who's Who Among American Nurses
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. Scott hopes to continue to grow professionally, as well as become a published author.