Local Critical Care Nurses Recognized for Career Milestones
06/24/2009
Southwest is proud to recognize Nancy Denny and Dana Ostenson for the monumental milestone of attaining and maintaining their certification as critical care nurses (CCRNs) for 30 straight years.
Denny began her career in critical care 42 years ago and has been with Southwest for 35 of those years. Ostenson followed her mother's footsteps in nursing and began her career as a nurse's aid and has been a critical care nurse for over 35 years-over 30 years at Southwest.
Since 1979, the two Southwest nurses have consistently maintained CCRN certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. They are two of 108 CCRNs honored this year nationally by AACN for their continuous certification.
CCRN certification is an expert credential reserved for those who meet rigorous practice, continuing education and testing requirements in their specialty. Certification is linked to fewer medical errors and increased job satisfaction and confidence. Hospitals that encourage their nurses in becoming certified demonstrate a high level of commitment to creating an exceptional patient care environment. They also demonstrate to their nurses a culture of professionalism and retention imperative in today's healthcare setting.
As certified critical care nurses, Denny and Ostenson are dedicated patient and nurse advocates-taking critical care nursing to its highest standards. Both are to be congratulated as nurses who possess a distinct and defined body of knowledge.
Southwest Washington Medical Center
The region's health care leader and steward for 150 years, Southwest is a community-owned, not-for-profit, 360-bed, medical institution located in Vancouver, Washington. Repeatedly recognized nationally as a 100 Top Hospital, Southwest provides a full range of outpatient and inpatient diagnostic, medical, and surgical services to Clark County residents. Southwest is also one of Clark County's largest employers. Southwest's 3,283 employees and 600 active medical staff members help support dozens of medical specialty services and programs, focused on cancer, heart, emergency, trauma, neuro-musculoskeletal, family birth, and primary care.
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