She was a staff nurse in the medical cardiology inpatient unit and also at the Oakdale prison; she cared for vascular/bariatric inpatients as an assistant nurse manager; she traveled four days a week and worked in-house one day per week when she was with the Ottumwa outreach clinic focusing on pulmonology and rheumatology; she faced new challenges as the assistant nurse manager for the Integrated Call Center; and now, Forbes is learning new skills once again as the assistant nurse manager on 2RCE, inpatient non-vascular neurology.

None of the job changes have been accidental. Forbes has specific objectives in mind, and she is not afraid to take a risk or make a change in order to pursue her career goals.

"I’m working in a new area for me right now," Forbes said. "We have 10 beds in this unit and about 15 staff members. We care for patients with seizures, headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, and other non-vascular neurology conditions."

At a time when many nurses seem to be looking for jobs outside of direct patient care, Forbes is going back to the bedside.

"In the Integrated Call Center, my work focused on more administrative functions–interviewing nurses for triage specialist positions, learning new computer technology, and dealing with human resources issues. I liked my job very much, but I felt it was important for me to maintain my nursing skills and I was ready to learn something new. So returning to hands-on nursing was the right choice for me."

The variety of nursing skills Forbes has managed to accumulate through diverse experiences, along with the administrative skills she learned as an assistant nurse manager on a unit and in the Call Center, reflect her desire to stay sharp and move forward on her career path.

"I truly have enjoyed my career here," Forbes said with a broad smile. "When I worked at the prison, I also took classes toward my degree. Later, I was able to pursue a master’s degree and receive tuition reimbursement from the department. That made working here a real plus."

Forbes lauds the skill level of her fellow nurses. "The UI Hospitals and Clinics nurses are offered so many challenges and opportunities because of the nature of our patient populations and the many educational opportunities we have, " she said. "And because our nurses are on the cutting edge of care, I think we’re very well respected by the physicians we work with."

Glad to be back in training mode, Forbes is happy with the camaraderie she has found in her new position. "Lynette Hartsocke is the nurse manager here and she is very supportive," Forbes said. "Naturally, being new to this area, I have some insecurities, but the one-on-one training with the senior neurology nurses has been terrific for me. I’ve also been hitting the books and watching training videos, and shadowing the other nurses."

Forbes is invigorated by her new position. "I’ve learned a lot since I began working on this unit," she said. "But the most important thing I think I’ve learned is how much the patients appreciate the care we provide. It feels great."

Forbes is part of a three-generation family of nurses. Her mother was an LPN and her daughter, Steff, works the night shift as an RN in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Make the most of your opportunities
Thinking of looking for a new position in nursing? Feeling ready to work on a graduate degree? Do you want a special certification? Interested in research?

There are many career and educational opportunities for nurses at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Here are some places to start looking for guidance:

• Nursing Human Resources — Nancy Fick, 356-2120
• Nursing Clinical Education Center — Lou Ann Montgomery, 356-3959
• Tuition Reimbursement Program — Office of Staff Relations and Development, Donna Muller, 356-7543

Do you have a friend or relative who is up to the challenge of becoming a UI Hospitals and Clinics nurse? Let us know. Call Renee Clancy in the Nursing HR office, 356-2120.