Adventist Health Portland Nurses Named Outstanding Nurse Preceptors

The Oregon Center for Nursing named two Adventist Health Portland nurses Outstanding Nurse Preceptors of 2023. The annual honor celebrates 24 exceptional nurse preceptors — professionals that help guide nurses into new positions or specialties, educate on hospital policies, offer feedback and encouragement, and evaluate competencies.

Both of Adventist Health Portland’s honorees have shown exemplary skill in training, guiding nurses as they join various departments, and teaching in supportive, practical ways.

During her two years as an ICU nurse after graduating from the Walla Walla University School of Nursing, Monica Burke has trained multiple new nurses from various backgrounds. “My own preceptors helped me see the importance of helping others learn and grow,” Monica says. “Reteaching the skills I’ve learned helps me stay sharp and do my best work.”

With new graduates and nurses in mind, Monica created a reference guide that outlines key pointers on how things are handled in Adventist Health Portland’s ICU. “At first I just shared it with a couple people, but when others saw it everyone wanted a copy, or to share their tips and tricks,” she says. “It’s become a great resource for our team.”

Monica’s manager says she brings a wide range of talents to the team: “Monica is so smart, organized and empathetic. She is excited about nursing and critical care, and that makes learning from her interesting and engaging,” says Marcia Sanders. “She goes above and beyond as a preceptor, both in her clinical education and her human connection to the people she is working with. She is kind and compassionate, which creates a really positive work environment in ICU.”

Having worked as a nurse at Adventist Health Portland for more than 10 years, Mary Ann Peck says she initially planned on being a doctor but ultimately switched to nursing because she “wanted to spend more time at the bedside with patients.”

“I remember being a new student, feeling very nervous, and being afraid to ask questions,” she recalls. “I had great preceptors and I’ve never forgotten that experience. I want to pass it on to others. I want to make sure our nurses are never afraid to ask me anything.”

Now a preceptor herself, Mary Ann takes every chance to welcome new nurses to the team in a nurturing way while also challenging them to solve problems, ask questions and practice critical thinking skills.

“She is an amazing, seasoned nurse and a stellar preceptor who truly cares about the new nurses she is precepting,” says Nicole Boehm, RN, BSN, medical/surgical manager. “She has a way of teaching the importance of nursing while bringing laughter into it, putting her students at ease. She is an all-around wonderful person and nurse and we are extremely lucky to have her on our team and educating our future nurses.”

Both Mary Ann and Monica — as well as the other 2023 honorees — were nominated by nursing leaders from health care facilities across the state. This is the third year OCN has named recipients of the Oregon Outstanding Nurse Preceptors Award.