Hope Healthcare introduces new RN residency this fall

Hope Healthcare is launching a new residency program for nursing school graduates starting in August 2022. Full-time positions are available to help nurses enhance their clinical knowledge base and learn best practices for providing comforting, compassionate care for people of all ages living with serious illness.

Hope’s RN Residency is a six-month program based in Lee County that ensures a smooth transition into daily practice as a registered nurse in hospice and palliative medicine. Applicants accepted into the residency will work under the guidance of a trained nurse preceptor and attend classes on leadership, clinical decision-making, therapeutic communication, anticipatory grief and other relevant topics.

Participants will also benefit from three months of experience working in a Hope Care Center and three months of caring for patients and families in their own homes. All instruction is provided in a safe environment that is conducive to learning and professional growth. After completing the program, nurses are encouraged to apply for an open position of their choice at Hope Healthcare.

Applicants must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, as well as a valid Florida nursing license prior to their residency start date. Interested nursing students should contact Catherine Norton at 239-237-9431 or Catherine.Norton@ HopeHCS.org.

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit healthcare organization, Hope Healthcare is dedicated to providing care and comfort for people in life’s closing chapter. A team of staff and volunteers offers practical, spiritual and emotional support for the entire family.

For more information about Hope Healthcare, including programs such as Hope Hospice and Hope Kids Care, visit HopeHCS.org.

Lee Health awards four nursing scholarships

Lee Health awarded four “Heart of Caring” scholarships to certified nursing assistants at Lee Health April 29, putting them on the path to getting their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

Hunter Fields, Jennifer Guevara, Amber Newborn and Ana Vieira received full scholarships to pursue and obtain their nursing degrees. Mark and Carolyn Ain started the annual scholarship program in 2016 after a hospital stay made them realize how vital CNAs are to enhancing patient care.

Since the scholarships were established by the Ains in 2016, 10 Lee Health CNAs have received scholarships, which include application fees, tuition, books and other fees as well as a stipend for non-academic expenses. Recipients commit to working for Lee Health for two years after their education is completed. The Ains have also provided funding for CNA educational symposiums at Lee Health and staff food trucks during the pandemic, to date $700,000 in donations.

Due to a growing demand for healthcare services amplified by the pandemic, reports project that 1.2 million new registered nurses will be needed by 2030. Opportunities like the “Heart of Caring” Scholarship Program are critical to addressing the nursing shortage and ensuring adequate healthcare staffing.

Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital, and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The Foundation provides financial support for many service areas including the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, Lee Health – Coconut Point, The Rehab-ilitation Hospital, Shipley Cardiothoracic Center, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Hospital Specialty Clinics in both Charlotte and Naples.

Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call 239-343-6950 for more information about the role of Lee Health philanthropy in Southwest Florida.

Hope Hospice invites families and friends to honor loved ones during a Celebration of Life

To honor the memory of loved ones in the community, Hope Hospice is hosting a Celebration of Life Memorial Service online Sunday, June 5, at 2 p.m. Friends and families are invited to participate in this virtual gathering that is appropriate for all faith traditions. There is no charge to attend.

To RSVP, please visit Hope-Hospice.org/RSVP before Tuesday, May 17. When you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation by email. For more information, please contact Bereavement Services Manager Michelle Milita at 239-489-9189.