Since our founding in a small house on Brady Street in Milwaukee 125 years ago, Children’s Wisconsin nurses have been bringing kids the best care for the brightest future.
Children’s Wisconsin nurses practice in a variety of settings in our hospital and clinics, and they also care for kids in places you might not expect, such as schools and community venues.
Stephanie Alberda, RN, has been a school nurse at Clarke Street School in Milwaukee’s Metcalfe Park neighborhood for 10 years as part of Children’s Wisconsin School Nurse Program which serves kids in more than 30 public schools. By providing community nursing in a school setting, she not only tends to kids with fevers and hands out bandages, but also provides health education to families on topics like asthma management and lead poisoning prevention and helps identify chronic illness before a child needs to visit the emergency department.
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“Many of us don’t seek health care until we need medicine. With school nursing, we can have that up-front, preventive impact.” Stephanie helped one child who was prediabetic make lifestyle changes that extended to the child’s entire family – impacting multiple kids and adults. “As a school nurse, my days are very busy. But the feeling of helping kids feel better is the best,” she said.
A passion for pediatric care
It’s a deep commitment to kids that makes Children’s Wisconsin nurses stand out – and that makes a difference to patients and families every day. Whether holding a tiny hand, healing a hurt or helping build healthier communities, nurses play an integral role in bringing specialized resources and high quality care to families from throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
As the state’s only 100-percent kid-focused health care system, Children’s Wisconsin is working hard to make Wisconsin kids the healthiest in the nation – and its 1,800-strong pediatric nursing team is helping advance that effort. In addition to caring for the unique needs of infants, children and teens, nurses also know how to relate to children and families – building relationships, explaining complex information, and learning what matters most to families and kids.
“Nurses have a strong voice in our organization on all levels, and their insights and actions directly impact the quality of patient care we provide,” said Nancy Korom, MSN, RN, Children’s Wisconsin vice president and chief nursing officer.
Nationally recognized for nursing
Children’s Wisconsin is part of an elite group of hospitals nationwide to earn the highly coveted Magnet Recognition Program® status for the third consecutive time from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Available for redesignation every four years, Magnet status is the highest level of formal recognition for nursing excellence and is considered the gold standard for hospitals worldwide.
More than 80 percent of Children’s Wisconsin nurses have earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and many have advanced degrees and specialized professional certifications. Children’s Wisconsin nurses have published articles in hundreds of journals and are recognized for their leadership and expertise at the state, regional and national level. The team includes more than 170 advanced practice nurses, specially trained to directly manage patients’ problems or conditions.
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Committed to ensuring the future of high quality nursing in the community, Children’s Wisconsin partners with more than 20 colleges and universities to provide clinical practicum opportunities for student nurses.
Giving kids the best
At Children’s Wisconsin, every aspect of care is guided by the belief that kids deserve the best – and that includes the best nurses, doctors and other care providers, the best therapies, programs and technologies, and the latest research.
The best care means families feel cared for, supported and understood throughout their journey. For the kids Stephanie Alberda cares for, that makes their school day and educational journey healthier and more successful.
