Jodie Atkinson, BSN RN CWON CFCN Getting To Know You

Member Spotlight- Jodie and family

Family, outside interests and community involvement Married to my husband Jeff who is a banker. I have 2 sons. Keaton – 18 and a Freshman at Iowa State, majoring in Agricultural Engineering. Kyle is 15, a Sophomore at Clinton High. 1 daughter, Katie 9 years old and a Shi-tzu named Gizmo – 6 years old. Our three children keep us busy with all of their activities. Boy Scouts has been one of our top priorities for the 2 boys over the last 8 years. Both have achieved their Eagle Scout Rank. I was very involved in the troop, holding the Secretary, Health and Safety Office position as well as being the First Aid Merit Badge Counselor for the last 6 years. I am the Treasurer of the Clinton Fine Arts Association, a small group of parents, educators and community members working to increase awareness and promote the fine arts within the community of Clinton. I am an active member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. I love to travel. We have been fortunate enough to travel all across the United States and several areas in the Bahamas and Mexico showing our kids various different cultures. Up next: Returning to the Bahamas for Spring Break 2017 with Costa Rica for Spring Break 2018!

Getting to know you- Jodie Practice setting and location Mercy Medical Center – Clinton. I practice in a variety of areas, mostly acute care, but consult with our homecare /hospice settings. I also make weekly rounds in our 2 skilled and LTC settings. I have established an Ostomy Nurse Outpatient Service at Mercy, seeing several outpatients each month. 30% of my job role also includes Patient Fall Safety. Coordinator which includes a great deal of staff education, tracking, reporting and monitoring at our local and system level.

Memgber Spotlight: Nursing background I knew from the age of 7 in the 2nd grade, nursing was the career I wanted to pursue. 1995 BSN graduate of Allen College, Waterloo. Started at Mercy - Clinton right after college on the Medical Unit which eventually merged into the Medical – Surgical unit. Worked there 16 years before my current position was created.

WOC Nurse interest While working on Med/Surg unit I developed a real interest in wound care and became certified through Emory's Distance Learning program in 2003. Found staff and physicians were consulting me regularly while I was trying to work M/S, using my breaks and staying late to complete those consults. 5 years ago a role was developed for me as the Wound/Safety Nurse because of the increasing demands for my services and assistance. I received Foot Care Certification in 2012. I felt there was a need to better serve our local Ostomates and received my Ostomy certification through Emory 2013. I can still say, I truly love being a nurse even after 22 years.

Involvement in state and national WOCN organizations Recipient of one of the Iowa Affiliate Scholarships for my ostomy certification 2013. Currently a member of the Marketing and the WOC of the Year committee. A member of the WTA task- force, past member of the Web Committee and Scholarship committee. Chairperson of the t-shirt task-force. Regular attendee of Fall Conference and assist where needed for Ostomy Ed Days.

What are you most passionate about within our 4 specialties At first it was wound care, now that I'm getting more and more into ostomy care, wow that has to take the cake. Assisting an Ostomate with their initial education and following them through their hospitalization and out in to homecare, getting them back in their mainstream life and activities. It's really fulfilling to know I was a part of that. I am fortunate to be able to follow a new ostomate throughout all phases of their ostomy care both in and out of the hospital. I really enjoy that.

Tell us your favorite WOC nurse story A 60 y.o. male with what UIHC told him was terminal bladder cancer “3 months to live”, sought a second opinion from MD Anderson, where he received treatment which included the creation of a Urostomy. At the time of his discharge his physician at MD Anderson searched the WOCN Society website for local certified nurses who could assist him in his care and education when he returned home and found my name listed. I was able to meet with him and work with him over a few months time period and get him back on his feet and comfortable returning to the community and the activities he enjoyed. He was just back to MD Anderson for a recheck. He called me to say his physicians say he is a “true miracle”. He is now in 100% remission at this point. He was able to get back out on the golf course this past summer and regain his life following his Urostomy. He still thanks me for my help each time I see him.

Congratulations Jodie! WOC Nurse of the Year Award 2014 Daisy Award