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Susan Steen has a Passion for Nursing
By Robyn Marlow
Susan Steen doesn’t see nursing as just a career.
It’s a passion, and she wants more people to join her in improving the lives of others through the medical field.
Susan is the director of nursing at the Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility.
When she was a student working on her nursing degree at Holmes Community College in Grenada, she may not have realized the impact of her vocation choice.
"Nurses experience more emotion in a day’s work than some people experience in a lifetime ‘at the office," she says. "Nurses are there for the birth of children and for the end of life process, and for every moment in between these two dates.’’

Brenda Jackson and Sheila Pierce.
A Nice Place to Be
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing career fields in America. Here at North Sunflower Medical Center and the Walter B. Crook Nursing Facility we are looking for nurses to join our family. Susan says it’s a really nice place to be.
"The care provided by our employees makes me proud to be a part of this team. The atmosphere is welcoming, and our residents are happy. We pride ourselves in professionalism without being impersonal,’’ she says.
We appreciate that feedback because we care about all our team members and the personal connection that they make every day with patients and residents.
Susan hopes to see more people starting studies in nursing. Times of crisis like the world is experiencing now, reveal the importance of dedicated health professionals, she says.

One of the things Susan enjoys is getting to connect with family members, as well as residents. The work of a nurse is complex.
Nurses, she says, "are loyal to the provision of care, teaching and explaining, communicating and advocating, defending and supporting, and understanding all aspects of all needs of their patients and their patients’ families.’’
She says people who want to serve the community should look into nurse training options. Traits that serve a nurse well, she says, include compassion, understanding, kindness, neutrality, and tolerance.
"There are so many blessings and struggles which belong to the heart and mind of a nurse, and a true nursing heart is grateful for both,’’ she says.
If you are interested in learning more about our job opportunities, go to our Careers page.

Brooks Rizzo will Motivate and Inspire You to pursue a career in nursing.
By Evelyn Rios
Brooks Rizzo’s dad, Billy Marlow, encouraged her to apply for a hospital job when she was just 14. Now she’s a Family Nurse Practitioner and hopes to see more people find joy in nursing careers.
We’re sharing her story – and those of some of our other fantastic team members – as we continue to showcase the nursing profession. Here at North Sunflower Medical Center, we have a habit of promoting good nurses on to career-building opportunities.
That’s why we are always on the lookout for more nurses who want to join the NSMC family and become #healthcareheroes. Just like Brooks.

Working Her Way Up
For Brooks, it all started with a part time job at then-North Sunflower County Hospital. “My dad, Billy Marlow, thought medicine was a good profession that was stable,” Brooks tells us.
So, as a teen she began a series of jobs at the hospital, first handling paperwork as a clerk and then as an assistant getting to know all the positions. “I learned how to take blood pressure in the ER. I remember it to the day,” she says. “A part time job in medicine can give you so much experience. It’s very rewarding.”
“At the time, there was a one-room rural clinic,” she says. “Now we have 96 employees.”
Not only is Brooks a Family Nurse Practitioner, she is also the provider coordinator and clinic director at the Sunflower Rural Health Clinic.
Brooks said one of the many positives of nursing is the ability to continue training for more specialized jobs, as well as the option to switch to different types of positions in various departments – from the emergency room to obstetrics to geriatrics.
Nursing is a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists nursing as one of the top occupations in growth, with the RN workforce expected to increase from 2.9 million in 2016 to 3.4 million in 2026. An additional 203,700 new RNs are needed each year through 2026 to fill newly created positions and to replace retiring nurses, according to the bureau.

Saving Lives, Helping People, Making Connections, Bringing Joy
Brooks said her grandmother, Lillian Carpenter of Drew, was a nurse. Today’s technology has dramatically changed nursing, like phone apps that provide instant helpful information and electronic charts.
Some things remain the same. Like the personal relationships nurses make.
“You are saving lives. You are helping people both physically and mentally. You make connections with families,” she said. “That brings joy.”
After getting her nursing degree, Brooks returned to school for a master’s. One of her tips for aspiring nurses: "It’s important to have a mentor on the job when you are new to learn from and keep you grounded in the fast-paced environment."
Brooks remembers her early years getting comfortable with the hospital routine. “I thought I can do that.”
She encourages anyone with an interest in helping others to consider a career at North Sunflower Medical Center.
“You will meet people who motivate and inspire you,” she said.
If you’re inspired by Brooks’ story, you can learn more about career opportunities by going to our Careers page.

Mary Rose STILL loves her job
Last year we told you about Mary Rose and her passionate care of residents at the Walter B. Crook Nursing facility, which is part of the North Sunflower Medical Center Family. That blog - "Mary Rose Loves Her Job!” - was recently honored with an Aster Award.
Aster Awards are part of an elite competition dedicated to recognizing the most talented healthcare marketing professions for outstanding excellence in advertising, marketing and communications.

We were honored to receive multiple awards in 2020. But what really made the recognition special was that the Mary Rose blog received a Gold award.
Mary is one of the hardworking professionals on our team, and we share their stories because we know that they make a difference every day. Mary was incredibly busy even before the pandemic. She told us last year, "I have a smile on my face as soon as I walk in the door.’’
Changes with COVID-19
She still has that smile, but Mary said this week that the changes with COVID-19 have made everything different at Walter B. Crook, a 60-bed facility with only private rooms.
"This is very challenging every day,’’ she said.
Her residents must now remain in their rooms, but staff are creative in keeping them active and engaged, Mary said. Residents play games and activities while sitting in their doorways. Bingo is popular.

Because the residents cannot have visitors, Mary encourages visits through the glass windows. She’s also using technology to connect residents through virtual calls.
"It’s heartbreaking to watch them have to see their loved ones through the window. They are wanting hugs. They are wanting kisses,’’ Mary said.
Mary has never been shy about letting the residents know she cares about them. Now that personal connection is critical.
"You take up more time talking with them and visiting with them,’’ she said. "You have your moments where you just wish you could change things for them. They are my family.’’
Safety, of course, is the top concern at NSMC and Walter B. Crook. Mary said residents and staff have been through several rounds of virus testing. Any staff member with health concerns is immediately sent for testing and quarantined until they are cleared.
But even with the virus and the restrictions, Mary tells us, "I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love it here, staff wise and resident wise.’’
"It’s a great place to be,’’ she said.
2020 Aster Awards
We know the care and service provided at NSMC is superior, but we appreciate the national recognition in programs like the Aster Awards, judged by a diverse panel of industry experts. Here’s a rundown of our 2020 Aster Awards:
- Blogs: Gold, Mary Rose Loves Her JOB!
- Special Events: Silver, P.R.O.M. Promise - Please Return on Monday
- Billboard Design: Bronze, 3D Mammography
- Logo Design/Letterhead: Silver, CCM - Chronic Care Management
- Total Advertising Campaigns: Silver, 3D Mammography
- Miscellaneous: Silver, Dancing Through The Decades

New Chronic Care Management Program Brings Patients 24/7 Care
As you already know, North Sunflower Medical Center is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve care for our patients. This month we are launching an exciting new program that will provide individualized experiences that last beyond a single hospital visit.
We have always gotten to know our patients one-on-one. With the Chronic Care Management (CCM) program, patients will deal directly with the health care professionals who know them best. That care will continue out into the community.
"CCM is a new way of managing health care for our patients,’’ Patient Care Coordinator Sandy Tidmore tells us. "It is a personalized care plan specifically for that patient and their condition.’’

Tidmore has been with NSMC for the past eight years and the favorite part of her job is the people she gets to work with. And that’s just part of the reason why she’s in charge of the rollout of this important program.
The program is through Medicare, which is the federal health insurance for people over 65 and some younger people with disabilities. NSMC serves many seniors with chronic medical conditions. The program will allow us to easily follow up with them and make sure they get to the hospital for serious issues – and are able to stay home and be treated over the phone for minor things.
Once a patient joins the program, they will be assigned a nurse who becomes their personal connection to the hospital.
The nurse will call the patient each month to make sure they have their medicine refills and are following the best medical advice. For a patient with diabetes, they will check on their blood sugar and diet. Patients with hypertension may be asked to track their blood pressure.
"It is a team approach to providing our patients with the best care possible. It keeps them out of the emergency room and helps them from not having to make unnecessary medical visits. A lot of patients don’t have access to transportation. This will be a Godsend for them,’’ Tidmore says.
She said nurses will act as case workers, scheduling appointments when needed.
Tidmore tells us, "Patients with access to the plan will understand how to take care of themselves from home. This gives them access to us 24/7. They can call anytime. During the week, they can access their specific nurse.’’
She said the program will be particularly helpful as the pandemic continues, to keep patients at home except for necessary visits. People who have continuing issues like arthritis, asthma, heart disease, mental health and osteoporosis will greatly benefit from the specialized monitoring.
"We are striving for better health outcomes. We want to keep patients healthier,’’ Tidmore says.
"NSMC is on top of things in finding new treatment for patients.’’
RN – Emergency Department
Position: | RN, Fulltime |
Department: | Emergency Department |
Hours: | 7pm-7am |