In 2019 Carle Health Proctor Hospital attained Magnet® recognition for the first time while Carle Health Methodist Hospital attained Magnet® recognition for the fourth time. In 2024, Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Proctor Hospital will apply for re-designation and Carle Health Pekin Hospital will start their Magnet® designation journey.
900
Carle Health registered nurses in Greater Peoria
65%
of Carle Health registered nurses in Greater Peoria have at least a bachelor's degree
44%
of Carle Health registered nurses in Greater Peoria have a specialized certification
With stroke being the third leading cause of death in Peoria County, the nurses at Carle Health see education of the public as a critical public health outreach initiative. In January 2023, the nurses of 8 Crescent Neurology set up a booth at the local Peoria Rivermen ice hockey game at Carver Arena to provide handouts and education, and answer questions about the B.E.F.A.S.T. acronym and what actions to take in the event of a stroke.
8 West Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health unit at Carle Health Methodist identified a potential safety concern related to transgender patients wearing chest binders on the unit. If not utilized appropriately, binders worn too long could cause skin breakdown or rib cage constriction. The 8 West unit council worked with the provider group to develop parameters for use based off best practice. This work was shared through departmental roundtable discussions on care of the LGBTQ+ adolescent population with nurses, physicians, mental health clinicians and ancillary team members.
Postpartum nurses at Carle Health Methodist educate fellow nurses about effective care for patients with maternal opioid use disorder. Through this research and education, nurses’ comfort level in discussing opioid addiction and treatment options increased, aiding in competent and unbiased care.
In December 2022, Carle Health Greater Peoria held its first Cindy Hale Research Symposium where 15 nurses throughout the region were supported in their research and evidence-based practice. The nurses acted as resources at the event, presenting their research to community leaders for the education and betterment of the region.
Every day, our nurses go above and beyond to care for and develop lasting relationships with their patients. This was definitely the case for an Emergency Department patient at Carle Health Methodist. This particular patient was deemed unfit to return to their previous place of residence and awaited placement in the Emergency Department for several weeks. The Emergency Department nurses and team members raised funds to purchase games and activities for the long-term patient. They also advocated for the patient to be able to be escorted to the cafeteria and outside, knowing that the change in scenery would improve the patient’s well-being. In a very personal touch, the ED team purchased clothing with the patient’s favorite sports teams’ logos and gave the patient a Valentine’s Day box full of cards from ED nurses and team members to help celebrate the holiday which took place during the patient’s ED stay.
Every day, nurses at Carle Health go above and beyond to care for and develop lasting relationships with their patients. We reached out to a few of our Greater Peoria registered nurses to get their perspectives on a simple question: Why do you choose to be a Carle Health nurse?
Carle Health makes it easier for people to acquire the skills and support they need to enter the workforce with confidence. The Greater Peoria area offers the Carle Health Nurse Residency Program to facilitate transition-to-practice for guiding nurses into the hospital setting. Nursing students in the final semester of nursing school are eligible to apply. The 12- to 20-week (depending on unit) program provides orientation, coaching and support to make all the difference. From nursing school graduates looking for a way to ease into their practice, to high school graduates interested in the healthcare field, Carle Health has a variety of programs to help people get to work. We encourage our nurses to grow their career through training and education by providing tuition assistance.
For more information, email nurse.recruitment@carle.com or visit our Nursing Careers page.
Carle Health prioritizes development of nurses through experience and exposure in leadership opportunities. Nursing leadership mentors and supports our clinical nurses as they lead and participate in councils and committees throughout the region. These include Nursing Shared Governance, Staffing Committee, Nursing Quality and Safety Committee, Nursing Retention Team, and many more. Nurses in the Greater Peoria area give back by teaching, supporting, counseling, coaching, evaluating and serving as role models. A nurse preceptor aids in the organizational enculturation, while guiding the new nurse into the world of specialty practice, allowing them to try new skills while gaining confidence and validation. Carle Health celebrates its outstanding preceptors, mentors and clinical charge nurses with it's annual Nursing Excellence Awards.
Kala Johnston
Megan Schreiber
Melissa Rhoades
Rebecca Wahlfeld
Join Our Team
Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a vertically integrated system with nearly 16,500 team members in its eight hospitals, physician groups and a variety of healthcare businesses and is recognized as a Great Place to Work®. Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Proctor Hospital hold Magnet® designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. Carle Foundation Hospital ranks as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ by Healthgrades®. The system includes Methodist College and Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Health Alliance™.
Find out where you fit. Carle Health offers so many opportunities for great nurses. View our open positions or start a chat now to figure out where you fit best based on your training and interests.