The Illini Community Hospital RN pipeline is primed and pumping. The nursing staff consists of no less than 13 registered nurses, Pike County natives, who have professionally “grown up” in the hospital.
“Living in a rural area, it’s not always a big attraction to stay,” said Illini nurse manager Alyssa Heavner, RN. “So when you find people who are dedicated to staying near their hometowns, career growth and development is important.”
Susan Chenoweth, MSN, RN, Illini’s Administrative Director of Nursing, agrees that fostering growth and development is a key element to Illini’s success in growing and retaining RNs. The other elements are the individuals themselves and the people who do the hiring.
“We have staff invested in caring for the people of their communities. Staff want to work where they can provide exceptional care to their friends and family,” Susan said.
“It also speaks to hiring right,” she added. “Department leaders have done an excellent job selecting talent that fit the culture.”
Heaven, Bailey and Deme at home at Illini
Heaven Utterback is the latest pipeline product and Illini Community Hospital employee success story.
Heaven and Bailey Ottwell (another of Illini’s homegrown RNs) worked together during high school as CNAs at Liberty Village in Pittsfield. When Bailey left to join the Illini staff, she did not forget her coworker. Bailey told Alyssa that there was a good CNA at Liberty Village who would be a good fit at Illini. Alyssa suggested Bailey ask Heaven to apply at the hospital. She did and Heaven got the job. Bailey continued her education and advanced from CNA to LPN registered nurse on the Illini staff. Heaven has done the same.
Alyssa said Heaven and Bailey - and another homegrown Illini RN who came to the hospital as a CNA - Deme Batchelor - were all cut from the same exceptional cloth.
“All three of these women were always willing to work extra shifts on their Christmas and spring breaks as students,” Alyssa said. “They were on a mission to become registered nurses and they got there. I think that says a lot about them.”
“It’s a homey atmosphere,” Heaven described of working at Illini. “We all work well together, know each other pretty well and can depend on each other. Everyone was great about helping me through school, working with my schedule.”
“I always heard good things about Illini,” Bailey said. “In high school I did a tour of the hospital as part of an anatomy and physiology class.”
“I really like the work environment here,” she continued. “We work as a team very well and I like the care I have seen given here. I feel we give great care.”
Deme echoes her friends’ sentiments about the Illini work environment, and also likes the size of the hospital.
“I felt comfortable as a new graduate nurse here,” she said. “I was ready and able to get out on the floor.”
“The culture the leadership team creates is one of accountability and respect.” Susan said. “Teamwork is expected and valued. We don’t work for individual departments. We work as one whole unit.”
Heaven, Bailey and Deme plan to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences and continue to provide care to their community at Illini Community Hospital.
“It is wonderful to watch employees grow and reach their professional goals,” Susan concluded.
Products of the Illini RN pipeline
- Patient Access to RN – Emily Hill and Destiney Smith
- Tech/CNA to RN – Megan Jacobs
- LPN to RN – Deme Batchelor
- ED tech to RN – Josh Forbis and Logan Smith
- CNA to LPN to RN – Bailey Ottwell and Heaven Utterback
- PCA to RN to NP – Emily Feenstra
- Nurse Intern to RN – Morgan Sealock
The following staff began their career at Illini, left and returned:
- PCA to RN – Lexy Damon (now manager of ED)
- CNA to RN – Britni Hill
- CNA to RN – Crystal McClintock