Polly Youngren, R.N., who is assistant director of nursing at the Providence Benedictine Nursing Center in Mount Angel, has been honored as one of 12 persons nationally to be receiving a prestigious fellowship with the Geriatric Nurse Leadership Academy (GNAL) for 2010-2011.
Youngren selection for the fellowship included an 18-month work project culminating in greater resident choice and more flexibility around bathing.
Youngren presented her findings to the GNAL as part of a final academy site visit to the Benedictine Nursing Center recently.
“We are so proud of Polly’s selection for this national program,” said Emily Dazey, the center’s administrator. “Her project has focused on improving the environment, increasing choice and honoring individual preference.
“More importantly, it focused on building nurse leaders in the field of long-term care through their work on this project.”
Youngren reported her findings to Deb Cleeter, R.N., faculty advisor for the GNLA project, Judith Tatman, R.N., chief nursing officers for Providence Health and Services, Oregon and Jerry Hunter, Providence’s chief executive of home care services for Providence Oregon.
“Creating strong nursing leadership is critical for care of elders in our country. This program is very important for the development of forward movement in person-directed care practices that support autonomy and choice for elders,” said Joanne Rader, R.N., a GNLA mentor.
The GNLA program, funded by the Hartford Foundation and the Northwest Health Foundation, was created to address the growing concerns about the aging of our population and the need for strong nursing leadership.
