Swedish Nursing Department

Letter from Swedish Medical Center's Chief Nursing Officer

Kari Goerke, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer

Welcome to Swedish Medical Center where we strive and excel in both clinical excellence and service excellence. In joining our team, you are committing to a culture of quality patient care and nursing excellence. We have a highly skilled and knowledgeable nursing workforce that strives to learn and grow in each of their own ways.

Our theory for nursing care is "Relationship Based Care" which defines, describes, and promotes the role of the professional nurse. At Swedish Medical Center, we believe we have relationships with patients and their families, colleagues, and with oneself. These relationships provide the foundation for providing the excellent care to those whom entrust us. This theory also aligns with our philosophy of nursing and our Values and Standards of Swedish Medical Center: constant courtesy, patient satisfaction, teamwork and respect, professionalism, and personal responsibility.

At Swedish Medical Center, we encourage your active participation whether that be in your Unit Based Council, our Professional Nurse Practice Council, participating in research, belonging to a journal club, utilizing evidence based practice, joining a clinical committee, or participating in your own unit staff discussions or task force. We know that our strength is in the people who work with our patients each day. We encourage you to take risks and enhance your own professional practice.

Additionally, we have a certification bonus program and an educational funding program to augment knowledge and critical thinking. These are in addition to our competitive tuition reimbursement, scholarships, and internal education offerings. Nurses participate in preceptor programs and our Clinical Scholar program engages many of our own staff to start educating future nurses.

Swedish Medical Center has achieved many national awards from being the first, three-time Joint Commission certified Stroke Center, the first in the country to have three cardiovascular Joint Commission certifications, and the National Consumer Choice award for Quality, just to name a few. This recognition honors each nurse who participates in care at our facility.

I am so very proud to be part of a team that truly cares about each other and the patients who depend on us to treat them with competence, courtesy and commitment. I also am fortunate to belong to a group of professionals that strive for continued improvement as we reach excellence.

Sincerely,

Kari Goerke, RN, MSN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Officer
Swedish Medical Center