Recognition Awards

SANDRA LAUCK, RN, BA, MSN (candidate)

Letter of Nomination

Inspiring, positive, supportive, constructive, passionate, collaborative, empowering. These are just a few of the words that describe Sandra Lauck's capabilities as a leader in cardiovascular nursing education. Sandra has excelled in the role of nurse educator for the last four years. During this time, the educator role has undergone a metamorphosis under her leadership. Few people possess the ability to motivate staff to perform to their peak capacity. Sandra consistently models a very high standard of professional practice and leadership in the busy and challenging environment of the cardiac cath lab, electrophysiology lab, cardiac procedure room and cardiac short stay, inspiring staff to strive to be the best they can.

As the nurse educator, Sandra models our organization's high standards and values. Sandra sets the tone and standard for the education of the nurses. By setting the bar at a high, but attainable level, staff are motivated to aspire to do their best. Since working in the nurse educator position, Sandra began the Masters in Nursing degree program and now is in the last stages of completing her thesis. Following her Masters, she has applied for admission to the PhD program in Nursing. Emanating the importance of professional growth and excellence has motivated many of our staff to enrol in professional development courses including baccalaureate and masters degree programs.

Advancing the practice of cardiovascular nursing has been at the forefront of Sandra's vision as an educator. Sandra led the process to formally set standards in the areas for which she provides education by developing nursing competencies for the differing levels of experience of the nurses. Sandra advocates for nurses to learn, and fosters a culture that does not promote hierarchy, but one based on self-motivation. By encouraging nurses to attend in-services, conferences, and rounds, as well as facilitating nurses to apply for funding opportunities, Sandra has helped to broaden nurses' knowledge and practice. She views the education of nurses not as the right of one person, but as the opportunity for everyone to be involved with. Recognizing the expertise that staff nurses possess and supporting them to perform in a higher capacity and grow by taking on opportunities that previously may have seemed intimidating is a skill that Sandra brings to our area. For example, encouraging individuals to give in-services, lead clinical teaching groups, become preceptors, are all situations that Sandra has facilitated with out staff.

In the stressful and ever changing cardiac setting, Sandra brings humour and ease to the learning environment. Whether one-on-one coaching or classroom orientation for new nurses, individuals feel that there is always a non-threatening milieu where any questions are welcomed. Regular in-services are common in our workplace. This may be a result of a request from staff or a topic that Sandra has identified to advance clinical practice. Interventional cardiology is extremely fast paced with complicated innovative procedures, often being performed with very little notice. Supporting nurses in the moment requires flexibility and innovative coaching techniques. Determining what information nurses need to know and how and when to provide them with that information can be challenging. Many or our nurses have advanced their practice by attaining cardiovascular certification while Sandra has been in the role of nurse educator. The success of more than 60 of our nurses achieving cardiovascular certification is largely attributed to Sandra's efforts in facilitating this process. Sandra has been a dedicated force in organizing the yearly study groups, as well as being instrumental in celebrating the successful individuals by acknowledging them with certificates following completion of the exam.

Sandra is a true collaborator. Whether working with other facilities, other units within our centre, or other members of the interdisciplinary team, Sandra works together to promote excellence in clinical practice. By identifying the key stakeholders, Sandra ensures that staff members have the opportunity to be involved in appropriate projects. During the time that Sandra has been nurse educator, she has presented at numerous national and international conferences, as well as published in peer-reviewed journals. These accomplishments have always been the result of Sandra's efforts to collaborate with her interdisciplinary team members. Collaborating with staff on abstract presentations has been important to Sandra's philosophy of mentoring. Encouraging nursing staff to realize their potential by not stopping at identifying clinical questions, but to take it a step further to look at ways to answer the questions, is a quality that Sandra brings to her workplace. Collaborating with other areas in our facility has improved nursing practice. For example, working with the operating room educators to bridge nursing practice for specialized interventional cardiac procedures with OR and PAR. Developing these relationships requires excellent communication skills. Collaboration does not end within our facility. Sandra has organized community nursing education endeavours to link the nurses from referring community hospitals to the nurses in the tertiary care facilities. Sandra also maintains partnerships with the local educational colleges and universities by giving guest lectures, presenting at academic symposiums, and providing guidance for clinical experiences.

Sandra contributes to our team at an exceptional level by consistently performing above and beyond the normal job requirements. She is extremely dedicated to our staff and our patients. She continuously performs at a high level to ensure that our staff members are supported and that the work environment is optimized for patient care. Sandra's open door policy encourages staff to regularly visit her office to discuss both concerns and achievements.

As a leader in education, Sandra emanates a constant invitation to learn. Her passion to empower and involve staff sets the tone for ongoing learning and professional development. She is a spokesperson and champion for the quality of nursing care that we provide. As her colleagues, we believe she deserves recognition for her contribution to excellence for leadership in cardiovascular nursing.

Nominators: Margot Wlison, Jen Lindenberg, Gina Chapman, Sandra Barr