Rosemary Whipple RN, BSN, OCN, CCAP

Background

I graduated from Monroe Community College and trained and graduated from the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing, both in Rochester, NY. I received my BSN from Alfred University, Alfred, NY. I've worked at Highland Hospital, an allergist's office and at a nursing home. I received my OCN certification in1997.

Time at Highland Hospital

I've worked at Highland for eighteen years altogether. I left to have children but came back because Highland is a community hospital and has the same philosophy I have—compassionate, individualized care. At Highland Hospital, nursing is a "fine art." I remember being told that when I first came here in 1970.

Career Path at Highland Hospital

After a number of years on the oncology inpatient unit, I moved to the Infusion Center in 1992.

My Dominant Personality Traits

I'm a born caregiver. You know if you're that kind of person. I've heard that I'm calm in an emergency. I think my peers see me as a resource for information, since I've been here so long.  

About the Medical Oncology Outpatient Infusion Center

The Infusion Center is a small, intimate department with ongoing clients. The nurses on our unit are able to form close bonds with our outpatients. We get to know them through their cancer journey and become their resource and support person when the going gets rough. We are in awe of our patients' strength and courage. We treat our patients with dignity. We all practice nursing with our heart and soul.

Currently, about 60% of our patients are oncology patients. We need to learn as much as possible about cancer because many forms of cancer can be prevented or cured if detected early. Major advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment have resulted in longer survival, and therefore, an increased numbers of cancer survivors. I chose this area because I wanted to work closely with patients and their families to help them during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Our staff helps each patient and family from the moment of diagnosis, through the treatment and through the remainder of life as a survivor. Cancer is a family disease, since it affects everyone that cares about the patient. It's not that it's an easy job. It can be heartbreaking. At the end of the day, though, it's the most rewarding job I can imagine. I know I make a difference in many patients' lives. And my patients help me while I'm helping them. I have the privilege of seeing their determination, courage, and faith in action every day. Sometimes I'm in awe of their strength.    

I may be biased, but I'm part of an incredible team. There are no big egos in our group. We work interchangeably and respect each other. At the same time, I have tremendous autonomy in my job. Our department operates with camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith, love, and honor for our cancer patients. We are compassionate professionals.

Our team is good at what we do and we share a common view about how we treat our patients. The physicians are great, too—very current, caring healthcare professionals. We're obviously doing it right because patients frequently want to come back here if they've gone to other places for treatment. We rank very high on patient surveys.   

I mentioned that the physicians keep abreast of what's new. We nurses have to as well. Things are constantly changing. We have to be out in front with our knowledge and skills about vascular access, infusion protocols, and multiple infusion medications.

In addition to administering chemotherapy, we also give blood products, antibiotic infusions, IVIG, hydration, steroids, and iron infusions. We are a resource for IV starts, Mediport access, Infusaid pump access, and PICC line support. The hospital keeps up on new technology, too.  Our center is equipped with automatic infusion IVAC pumps to dispense medication. You can do everything through them and there's less risk of medication leaking.  

Our administration encourages us to step up and be full partners in patient care. So, we constantly talk about improvements and take our suggestions to our manager. The hospital has a program called "Brilliant Brainstorms" and one of our nurses recently won. I recently became certified in aromatherapy so I can use it with our patients. Since this is in line with Highland's holistic approach to patient care, my administration is supporting me.

Our department annually celebrates "Survivor Day." It's a celebration that honors "life" and survivorship. Cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, friends, and healthcare professionals celebrate this day to show that life after diagnosis is a reality. Our event will be held on June 8, 2008 this year. Our hospital administration has always supported this event.