Foundation Funds Clinical Nurse Leader Education and Position at PMMC
Elaine Ritchey, RN, is one of 250 nurses nationwide and the only one in southern Oregon to have earned the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) credential. Providence Health System employs 5 nurses trained and certified as CNLs. The Providence Community Health Foundation funded the education, certification, and one year's salary for this CNL position at PMMC. Elaine traveled to Portland to attend certification courses at University of Portland and continued her nursing career at PMMC, applying her knowledge and training to the CCU and hospital-wide initiatives.
Clinical Nurse Leaders provide a global perspective to patient care and promote a collaborative team approach to problem solving to best meet the needs of patients and staff. Elaine is very grateful for the support she has received from the Foundation. She explains, "Through this role, I have the opportunity to bring us to the cutting edge of patient care and nursing practice. It has been a most gratifying gift to me, my family, Providence and especially to our patients."
