Taylor Mills was born with VACTERL association, an acronym for being born with multiple anatomical defects. “I had a different thumb on my left hand and no thumb on my right,” she explained. “I just had to learn to adapt things to do different activities.”
One thing Taylor wasn’t willing to alter was her desire to be in a clinical profession. “I always wanted to be in the medical field. At three, I told my parents I wanted to be an anesthesiologist.” Over time, she changed her mind and decided to pursue a degree in nursing, and she never looked back.
An instructor goes above and beyond
LaTesa Shidler, MSN, RN, CMSRN, nurse clinical instructor, Parkview Health, met Taylor in the spring of 2023 when Taylor began her University of Saint Francis nursing clinical at Parkview. “She was just like any other student–bright-eyed, ready to learn, excited,” LaTesa recalled.
But as the instructor got to know her student better, she observed some areas of concern. “There were some key pieces she’d learned to adapt on her own, but from a clinical perspective, I saw some potential pitfalls and safety issues. I wanted to make sure she had a safe, effective way to perform each skill to the best of her ability in the safest manner possible.”
After talking to Taylor, LaTesa reached out to John Lozo, a simulation specialist at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation, to see if he could help.
Creating a custom solution
“I met with Taylor and learned about challenges she was experiencing,” John said. “We wanted to come up with a solution to make things as easy as possible not only during her clinicals at Parkview, but also to set her up for success for the rest of her nursing career.”
Together, they identified that spiking IV bags was a particularly big challenge for Taylor. “There isn’t anything commercially available,” John explained. So, they collaborated to design a tool that would meet her needs from a functional standpoint, as well as a hospital compliance perspective. This meant material that could be wiped down and easily transported. “We made it as portable as possible, but stable so she could use it effectively.”
The IV spiking solution has worked like a dream. “I was in the ICU my last semester and I used it full time,” Taylor shared. “It gave me more confidence. I can go to work every day and I can do what everybody else is doing, just with a little extra help.”
LaTesa has high hopes for Taylor, now a nurse graduate. “It means a lot to see Taylor’s solution working for her. She grew into a strong, independent future nurse and this really strengthens her abilities to provide patients with safe, confident care.”
For his part, John takes pride in knowing the invention opens doors for Taylor and potentially others with a similar need. “It’s humbling and fulfilling to support one of our nursing students. To help them be successful and improve the patient care they provide.”
Parkview’s commitment to nurses at every stage of their careers is a story told over and over through unique offerings and investments. Taylor’s experience reminds us that we’re all unique, and sometimes, it just takes one person who’s willing to ask what can be done to impact another person’s future.
“Just thank you. That’s all I can say,” Taylor beamed.
Learn about the opportunities available with Parkview Nursing, including current openings and programs, by visiting us at parkview.com/careers/nursing.
