Northwest Health Nurses Bring Skill, Compassion to the Team
5/5/2023
Nursing is a combination of skill and compassion. It takes a person who is driven to help others, who can make patients feel like family and be a resource during momentous times. Two examples of a caring and compassionate nurse can be found at Northwest Health.
Karen Boatright, R.N.
Karen Boatright, R.N., in the labor & delivery department at Northwest Medical Center – Willow Creek Women’s Hospital (WCWH), has been recognized by her patients and her peers.
“She is compassionate, kind, humble and selfless,” said WCWH Postpartum Director Jamie Moore. “She seeks opportunities to ensure people that she encounters each day feels special and loved.”
“She really is a fantastic part of our team here at Willow Creek,” said WCWH Executive Director of Nursing David McGowan.
Boatright said she knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was in high school at Cabot, Ark., and maybe even earlier than that.
“I don’t remember not wanting to be a nurse,” she said.
After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in 1986, Boatright passed her boards – two, eight-hour days answering questions with pencil and paper – to become a nurse.
Although her career has been in women’s health, Boatright noted that the opportunities are unlimited for anyone who is interested in becoming a nurse.
“Nursing is such a wide open field – from babies to hospice, from inpatient to teaching,” she said. “I started in labor and delivery in 1989 and I never looked back. It's an area where you get so close to patients that you just met and become a part of their memory forever because you were with them during the miracle of the birth of their baby. It is such an honor!”
In addition to her patients, Boatright says the family-like atmosphere at WCWH makes her job special.
“Willow Creek has some of the best humans in the world working here. The environment is about compassion, concern and helping someone.”
Boatright recently received The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses at WCWH, and was recognized in patient surveys and the WCWH team. When not at work, Boatright spends time with her family.
“I am happily married to the love of my life for 32 years,” she said. “We have two sons and in February, I became a ‘Lolly’ (Grandma) for the first time.”
With another grandson on the way, Boatright is enjoying her role not only as a nurse, but also a grandmother.
Jennifer Juergens, R.N.
Jennifer Juergens, R.N., a wound care nurse at Northwest Medical Center – Springdale (NMCS) has been making a difference and was nominated as the 2022 Clinical Employee of the Year.
“She has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance in her role as our wound care nurse,” said Angela Cox, RN, NMCS interim chief nursing officer. “Her hard work, dedication and attitude has made a significant impact on all our nursing floors.”
Juergens grew up with nursing in her family - her mother was a nurse. Wanting to help balance out the nursing shortage, Juergens decided on nursing as a career path and was inspired to focus on wound care by her mentor.
“Meeting Diana Gallagher during nursing school influenced me to continue my education and become a certified wound ostomy continence nurse,” Juergens said. “Her dedication to patients and expertise is inspirational. She is still my mentor and friend to this day.”
Juergens noted the ability to help and care for her patients during challenging times is one thing she enjoys about her role.
“Being able to assist patients through their healing process is so rewarding,” she said. “My job is to help guide them through this difficult time in their lives, and I love when I am able to help reduce any negative impact these events have on their lives.
“I love working at Northwest Springdale,” she said. “It is all about the team you work with. I enjoy going to work every day.”
In her downtime, Juergens said likes to go outdoors and explore the area with her own team.
“When I'm not at work I enjoy riding my bike along the trails of Northwest Arkansas,” she said. “I'm also a proud parent of a white German Shepherd named Bristol and a Bluetick Coonhound named Rosce.”
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