Posted In Awards and Recognition on February 14, 2024
We continue our TidalHealth series “Grow With Us” by stopping in for a chat with Lori Somers, our clinical nursing manager of 3 East at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.
Hi, Roger, thanks for taking the time to talk with me. This series is impressive. I grew up in Salisbury, going to East Salisbury, Wi Middle, and Wi High. I graduated from high school in 1997. I married my high school sweetheart in the summer of 2002, and we are raising our two daughters, who are 16 & 18, a junior in high school and freshman in college. Growing up, they have been heavily involved in competitive gymnastics and horseback riding, so lots of traveling for competitions and horse shows over the years.
As that has started to slow, we have a little more free time to explore our own hobbies. Football first, we love the Baltimore Ravens and do our best to never miss a home game. Hopefully by the time this publishes, we will be celebrating our third Superbowl win. Go Ravens! (Editor’s Note: sadly, she isn’t) My husband enjoys the custom mini truck scene, so we spend the warmer months traveling to truck shows along the east coast.
I worked on the credit reporting and financing side of the mortgage industry with Credit Plus for almost 14 years before pursuing a degree in nursing. While I liked my job and enjoyed the people I worked with, I knew it was not going to be my “forever.” I wanted a profession that I was enthusiastic about, that left me feeling fulfilled at the end of a long day.
In 2005, I lost my childhood best friend, at the age of twenty-five, after a short battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She was a wife and a mom to a beautiful 2-year-old daughter. She spent time in our ICU at the Salisbury hospital before her passing.
I had no healthcare experience, but vividly remember the kindness and gentleness in which the staff cared for her and her loved ones. It touched me that the nurses, who did not know her personally, treated her like family. They genuinely cared.
Looking back on that year, when I decided the time was right for a change, I knew that oncology nursing was the place for me.
One of my letters of recommendation for the scholarship came from the mother of the friend I lost. I still have it and find comfort in what she shared.
It was especially important. Throughout my degree program, I maintained a full-time job and was raising a young family. The financial help was tremendous as I did not qualify for any financial aid, but it also provided me the security of knowing that I would have a job upon graduation. As a wife and mom, I knew that there were others who depended on me and deciding to leave a steady job after all those years was scary. I did not want to let anyone down.
I graduated in May 2012, took my boards in early June, and joined the Mobile Nursing Unit that same month, working for Jean Bulkeley, who was the MNU manager at the time. I desperately wanted a position in Oncology, but there was nothing open at the time. Ms. Jean was nice enough to let me do a portion of my orientation on 2 South, but I worked 50/50 days and nights for 6 months in Mobile.
What a challenge as a new nurse, working on six different units while still learning how to be a nurse. It was hard, I won’t lie. There were shifts I questioned whether I had made the right decision and if I was going to be a good nurse. I remember being amazed by the nursing assistants and the ease in which they did their job, so confident, on days when I felt unsure of myself even when making a patient’s bed. I could not wait to feel like “I belonged” and to know that I had made the right decision, that I could really do this.
When the inpatient oncology unit posted an opening, I applied immediately, and took on a night shift position. It was then that I really felt at home. Somewhere around the one-year mark, I began to trust my instinct and have faith in my ability.
As you gained that confidence you also found higher aspirations and started to pursue nursing leadership opportunities. What motivated you to do so?
I had worked in a supervisory role in my previous place of employment and enjoyed it. Since nursing was my second career, I was already well into my thirties when it began. I wanted opportunities for growth at TidalHealth, anticipating that I would be spending the remainder of my working years here.
About one year into my role on 2 South, the organization created clinical supervisor roles for each unit. I was encouraged by my night shift peers to apply. I interviewed and was offered the position. I eventually transitioned into the role as a clinical nursing manager in 2015 and have remained there since. I love being a leader and helping to uncover and support people’s strengths. We all have something special to contribute.
I did use the tuition assistance program, which again was extremely helpful. Fortunately, Wilmington University also offers a discount to TidalHealth employees, which is a nice benefit. From start to finish, I was enrolled in college level nursing courses from 2010-2017. I worked from one degree to the next, while continuing to work full time. Each time I felt confident in using the tuition assistance program, knowing that I was committed to growing and working at TidalHealth.
I did. I joke that I was so serious about school and my grades because the rest of my life was always busy and crazy, and the only thing I could really control was the effort I put forth.
I have an amazing husband and support system that helped during the years of juggling full-time work and school, but it was not without challenges. In my initial nursing orientation at Wor-Wic, the department head mentioned that for many students, it was not their academic ability that would impact their success, it was life circumstances that would get in the way. I was determined not to let life get in my way.
My peers will tell you that I am extremely organized, always have a to do list, and the thought of not turning something in on time terrifies me. Procrastinator, I am not! I have always taken pride in anything that I commit myself to and this was no exception. I want to put my best foot forward.
What’s also interesting about you is that while you continued to grow professionally, since joining us in 2012, you’ve advanced while staying with the same unit.
As shared above, once I focused on a career in nursing, I knew there was only one area for me, and that was oncology. Professors often told us that you won’t have any idea what you really want to do until you have some experience under your belt. My desire for oncology has never wavered.
Our patient population is unique, they are strong, they are brave, and they face the unknown, head on, day in and day out, all the while being kind and appreciative. From an inpatient perspective, we often see the patients at their sickest and many times care for patients who are making tough decisions around goals of care and are nearing the end of their journey.
To be present with patients and families during these challenging times is both humbling and a privilege. One of my favorite nurses once said, “Sometimes we inspire our patients; more often, they inspire us.”
Any did I mention our team on 3 East? I love the people that I work with. They make each difficult day a little easier. They genuinely care about our patients, their loved ones, and each other. They are dedicated and take pride in the difference that they make.
There are few people in the world whose lives have not been touched by cancer. I believe that our personal life experiences give each of us the little extra that we need to care passionately for this population.
Busy for sure. I like to arrive early in the morning so that I have contact with my night shift staff. I get a feel for how the night went, review staffing, census, and discuss any new safety or service concerns, and attend huddle. I identify patients that need rounding, review any new admissions, and look at quality and safety data.
Throughout the day, being present on the unit, rounding on patients, addressing concerns, giving recognition, and aiding staff on the floor is important. While I am not considered the clinical expert anymore, helping to pass medications, provide patient care, and rounding on patients and families provides me the opportunity for the personal connection that I enjoy. Sometimes the conversations I have with patients are the best part of my day. Patients are so much more than their illness and they enjoy talking about their families, pets, and hobbies.
Nursing managers are responsible for our unit’s key performance indicators (to include quality, safety, patient experience, employee engagement), budgets, personnel management, scheduling, risk issues, staff meetings, and more.
I attend necessary meetings for my role and various committees and projects that I am a part of, as well as coordinate care for our shared population with the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute. Managers also have a vital role in keeping the unit and staff informed of the health system happenings, helping them to understand how our unit fits into the bigger picture at TidalHealth.
The flow of the unit will often guide my day, depending on the needs of the patients and staff.
I am the manager lead for the Healthy Work Culture Council and in part, the program coordinator for our Daisy and Sunshine recognition programs here at TidalHealth Peninsula. The Daisy program was started by the family of a young gentleman who lost his life after a battle with a blood dyscrasia, so it is close to my heart. In his memory, they recognize nurses all over the world who have made a difference in the life of a patient.
The sunshine program was created here at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and recognizes the same amazing care provided by our ancillary team members. Reviewing nominations and presenting the winners each month provides all involved with a smile. It is nice to celebrate the wins and the staff deeply appreciate the recognition. The surprise element is the best!
The world of nursing and healthcare require a commitment to being a lifetime learner. Every day there is a new diagnosis, treatment, or procedure discovered. Evidence based practice brings a need for continuous practice evaluation and change.
I earned my National Oncology Certification as an RN in 2016 and my Certification as a Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) in 2022. My oncology certification demonstrates a desire to provide patients with the best care possible, using the latest body of knowledge for cancer treatment.
The CNML is an industry recognized certification that reflects my knowledge of management and leadership essentials. Both require continuing education and renewals, ensuring that I do not become stagnant in my role. I am immensely proud of both accomplishments. I would encourage all nurses to find the field of nursing you are enthusiastic about, learn all that you can, and earn the recognition of that special knowledge.
There are many of amazing opportunities here at TidalHealth. Have faith in yourself, take the time to find what you are passionate about, and commit to learning and growing in that field. Make use of the vast resources available in our health system and lean on your leadership team for insight and support when it gets tough. For me, oncology nursing is the hardest job I will ever love.