LAPLACE – River Parishes Hospital nurses Kathy Bruce, R.N., and Tiffanie Bourgeois, R.N., were recently named to the “Great 100 Nurses” recognition program. With the addition of these two nurses, RPH now has a total of 14 nurses who have received this prestigious award. The “Great 100” Nurses award is presented each year by the New Orleans District Association. Nurses are nominated by their peers and are judged by a selection comittee based on three criteria – furthering nursing care, mentoring other nurses and promoting nursing in the community. Bruce has been employed as the nurse manager of the emergency department at the hospital since November of 1998. “Kathy puts patient care above all else,” says Sallie Herrle, director of patient care services. “She has developed a pamphlet to hand out to familes of patients who have died in the emergency department.” Often, in this situation, family members do not remember everything they have been told and have questions they did not think to ask at the time. This pamphlet gives them all of the information they were explained in the emergency department so they can review it when they are in a better frame of mind. Sallie continued, “Kathy is an excellent role model to the nurses in her department because she gets in the trenches along with her staff. She has also mentored several young inexperienced nurses, turning them in to good emergency room nurses.” “It is a great honor to be nominated for this award,” said Bruce. “I am humbled because there are so many people at the hospital who are deserving of recognition. I hope I can continue to function in a capacity that people will think I am worthy of the nomination.” Bourgeois has been employed at the hospital since June 1992. She began working at the hospital as a nurse tech while she was in nursing school. Upon receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing from LSU School of Nursing, she was promoted to an R.N. in the OB unit. In August 1997, she transferred to the surgery department where she currently assumes charge nurse responsibilities in additional to her nursing responsibilities. “Tiffanie is very enthusiastic about her work, has the ability to remain calm in stressful situations and is always willing to work late when needed,” said Diane Abbondante, RN, surgery nurse manager. “She also serves as a mentor for new nurses.” In addition to her work at the hospital, Bourgeois is a member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses and volunteers in many community projects, including Habitat for Humanity and Asthma Camp. She is also currently working towards her certification as an operating room nurse. “I am thrilled and deeply honored to have been chosen among such a prestigious group of nurses,” said Bourgeois.