story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer
Lisa Stephens, RN, can’t picture being in any career except nursing. She often tells nurses she teaches that nursing wasn’t a choice for her.
“Nursing is a calling,” said Stephens, RN, clinical educator, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest.
Located in Midwest City, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Midwest serves the health care needs of eastern Oklahoma County and surrounding communities.
“Growing up I was always torn between wanting to be a teacher or a nurse. This is the best melding for both of those,” she said.
She has learned a lot along the way. Stephens earned her Associate of Science degree in Nursing at Oklahoma City Community College. She set her career at the Midwest City hospital and went on to graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Chamberlain University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Western Governors University.
SSM invites people wanting to become nurses to apply for nursing school scholarships for an associate degree in nursing.
“I’ve been able to follow the natural course of being a nurse leader,” Stephens said.
Her career has included working in PACU, step down, a charge nurse, floor manager, a preceptor for nursing students, med/surg, and case management in home health. She is preparing to train a group of international nurses coming to SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest. Hiring international nurses has proven to be an asset in alleviating the nation-wide nursing shortage,
Stephens sometimes finds herself with nurses she has worked with before, whether at other hospitals or at Saints.
“The one thing that is fun here, especially at Midwest, is that we get to see them come home. And that’s been very enjoyable,” Stephens said. “It’s been the most beautiful thing to watch, especially since we’ve become SSM, to see them become part of the SSM philosophy, to grow in it and open their hearts and minds to what nursing can be.”
Stephens sees nurses flourish while providing evidence-based care. And the care that’s being provided is showing that.
“The community is recognizing that, and it just makes this such a joyful place to be,” she continued. “From three years ago til today — it’s like there’s a glow. In watching that happen and seeing people come into work, ready to be here and happy to be here — what a blessing,” Stephens said.
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest was purchased in April of 2021. And Stephens’ role as educator expands as SSM continues purchasing and updating equipment such as a vein finder, new beds, and other services to enhance patient centered care. The American Heart Association CPR program has evolved to keep the hospital at a higher level with maintenance every 90 days.
Listening skills can be made more efficient. Understanding body language helps nurses get to know their patients.
“Patients are not cookie cutters. Everyone is a unique individual, so we want them to get to know patients,” she explained. “That way they’ll be able to help them in their unique positions because when (patients) come to the hospital they’re at their worst level. And we want to be able to meet them there and be with them along their journey to wellness.”
Reaching excellence as a nurse by going above and beyond the basics is becoming more of an expectation, she said. Patients rely on nurses to help them feel safe. Patients meeting their nurses for the first time want to know who they are, Stephens said. Patients need to feel secure in know they can bank on their caretakers. The patient is part of the teamwork of physicians, nurses, and medical professionals.
“So, you just need to get in there quickly, introduce yourself, reassure them that you’re there for them. Be their advocate,” she said.
Nursing has influenced Stephens’ outlook on life. Stephens sees every person walking through a store as a unique individual. She observes humanity with a concern for their welfare.
“If I see someone who doesn’t look well, I’ll just kind of follow him. …If I see someone struggling, I want to help them,” Stephens said.
She advocates for herself as well by knowing education will help her to help others. When she’s not busy after work studying for her Master of Science in Nursing degree at Western Governors University, Stephens ensures she spends her leisure time with her granddaughter or at church.
Being a nurse helps people become more sensitive to the needs of people around them, she said.
“It makes you more empathic,” she said.
For more information about SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital-Midwest, visit https://www.ssmhealth.com.
