How GBMC grows nurses into leaders

The events of 2020 taught many lessons, one of them being the pivotal role nurses play as members of hospital care teams. JoAnn Z. Ioannou, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), says this should come as no surprise.

"COVID-19 highlighted how important nursing is. Nurses are at every level of the organization – from the Command Center to with patients at the bedside 24/7, filling in for family, being a companion and a caregiver," Dr. Ioannou said.

Nurses play a critical role on the multidisciplinary care team. GBMC recognizes this value and places a large emphasis on nurturing each nurse to grow them in their career.

"Our residency program is so robust," Dr. Ioannou explains. "We, as an organization, believe in attracting talent. To that end, we foster and mentor the careers of new nurses from the time they enter the building."

GBMC's Nurse Residency Program is the only hospital in Baltimore to have earned accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest level awarded. The one-year program is designed for new nursing graduates to facilitate the transition into professional practice. During their residency, nurses at GBMC cultivate the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors necessary to deliver safe, high-quality care.

"New nurses take part in these programs for a year to make them feel comfortable," Dr. Ioannou says. "We have a tremendous number of new graduates who want to work with us specifically because of the time, energy and effort that we give to help them succeed in nursing."

The nursing program at GBMC offers a variety of career pathways, something for every area of interest.

"You can work in an acute setting, outpatient area, with advanced practitioners, be a care manager, be a researcher, a nurse leader. The sky is really the limit," Dr. Ioannou says.

No matter which department your career path leads you to, there is one important trait that defines nursing at GBMC, according to Dr. Ioannou.

"We encourage people to have a questioning attitude," she emphasizes. "We want people who are critical thinkers, who question things, because that's how you learn."

Beyond a competitive pay and benefits package, a nursing career at GBMC offers professional and personal growth, and the ability to be a part of life-changing care for patients. In 2020, GBMC became the first healthcare system in Maryland to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's highest presidential honor for performance excellence. Dr. Ioannou says the recognition is validation for the effort put toward hiring quality care providers and helping them flourish in their careers.

"We value our nursing staff and are committed to mentoring and growing them from the beginning." She adds, "If you want to grow in your career professionally and personally, come to GBMC because we will invest in you."

To learn more about a career in nursing at GBMC, please visit www.gbmc.orghttps://www.gbmc.org/nursing.