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Whatever it takes

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As Vice-President of Patient Care Services at St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua, N.H., Pamela Duchene, RN, DNSc, can't imagine a career more fulfilling than nursing. "Whether at a patient's bedside listening to a staff nurse's dilemma or debating the need for stronger nursing financial support, my career has been adventurous," she says.

 

A nurse for 24 years, Duchene fosters teamwork to improve nursing on all levels. "The leaders with whom I practice will do whatever it takes to develop the best atmosphere for the practice of exceptional nursing care," says Duchene. "We try to create a totally energized environment in which nursing practice focuses on care, competence, and commitment."

 

Sharing the knowledge

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"I credit my mentors for encouraging me to pursue nursing as a career and guiding me every step of the way," says Linda Burnes Bolton, RN, DrPH, FAAN, Vice-President and Chief Nursing Officer, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, Calif. "This makes supporting and mentoring emerging leaders very important to me."

 

After 33 years in nursing, Bolton continues her commitment to using knowledge and skills to remove barriers and provide enablers to enhanced patient care. "Throughout my career, I've always endeavored to help people. As I acquired knowledge, I shared knowledge," says Bolton. "This lifelong commitment to knowledge-based practice is the key to a successful career."