Ohio Nurse - June 2022

Page 14 Ohio Nurse June 2022
Vanessa Ryks, RN
The Nurse Honor Guard pays tribute to nurses at
the time of their death by performing the Nightingale
Tribute at the funeral or memorial service. This service
is similar to a military tribute and officially releases the
nurse from their nursing duties. The NEOH (Northeast
Ohio) Nurse Honor Guard was founded Jan. 26, 2022
and is welcoming new members.
The ceremony is a moving tribute in which the
Honor Guard dresses in white scrubs, complete with
cap and cape. Male Nurse Honor Guards dress in
white scrubs only, no cape or cap. After recalling a
brief summary of the nurse’s career, an Honor Guard
member recites the Nightingale Tribute and lays
a white rose on the casket or urn, symbolizing the
nurse’s dedication to the profession. After the Tribute
is recited, a triangle is rung after a roll call for the
nurse – the nurse’s name is called three times and the
triangle is rung after each call of their name. After this
roll call, an Honor Guard member declares that the
nurse is officially released from their nursing duties.
A lit Nightingale lamp, carried up at the beginning of
the ceremony, is then extinguished and presented to
the family with condolences given. The family is also
Nurse Honor Guard
presented with a personalized program highlighting the
nurse’s career.
The first Northeast Ohio Nurse Honor Guard
ceremony took place March 14, 2022 for Patricia Kurta,
RN. Ms. Kurta began her 50-year nursing career when
she joined the U.S. Nurse Corps in 1943. After serving
in WWII, she fell in love with the profession, attended
nursing school and the rest was history! Her two
daughters followed in her footsteps and also became
RNs. Since the Military does not recognize the U.S.
Nurse Corps as official military service, her grandson
requested her dedicated nursing career be honored at
the time of her passing.
Anyone interested can find more
information at the public Facebook page, @
NortheastOhioNurseHonorGuard, which also serves
as the means for families to find the group and request
services. A private Facebook group, “Northeast Ohio
Nurse Honor Guard Members” is to provide local
volunteers with details about upcoming services
needing members to help with the ceremony. The
group’s email is neohnursehonorguard@gmail.com.
While this group currently serves a large
geographical area, the ideal plan is to have a total of
five groups of nurses to serve Cleveland East side,
Central/South side, West side, Akron/Canton/Alliance
and Boardman/Niles – this way, no one is driving hours
to attend a ceremony.
Please visit our FB page or email to find out more
about this amazing way to honor those who choose this
noble profession.
“I’ve worked at big hospitals, but it is nice to work at a smaller hospital where
your contributions are valued, and management knows your name and
something about your life. I enjoy Knox Community Hospital, and I’ve found a
team of hard-working nurses that have become my friends.”
-Hadleigh, RN
“Our Medical/Surgical Unit is very diverse,
providing opportunities to utilize essential
nursing skills while providing the best possible
care for our patients. We serve Medical,
Surgical, Orthopaedic, Pediatric, Palliative Care,
Medical Stabilization, and Bariatric Surgery
patients. Our team of nurses, hospitalists,
surgeons, and ancillary staff are all
committed to providing excellent patient
care in a family atmosphere.”
-Shari,RN
Why Nursing at KCH?
From hospital to Provider office and home health, we have a place to fit you.
KCH offers:
Unique opportunities to positively influence change in the department
through a shared governance committee.
Reward and Recognition program benefits are awarded to KCH staff
with Starbucks (aka - KCH Cash), the PCA Sunflower Award, and the Daisy
Award for Nursing Excellence.
KCH offers experience with state-of-the-art technology like the
da Vinci Robotic Surgery solution and critical care remote monitoring
resources to support nursing staff in the Intensive Care Unit.
Competitive salaries, night/weekend shift differentials, a career
ladder program, bonus shifts as desired
Great benefits, tuition reimbursement, and advancement opportunities
An advanced clinical education includes a residency, mentoring
programs, preceptor training, and simulation labs
Generous nursing to patient ratios with a free charge nurse
A variety of service lines provide an opportunity for professional growth,
advance clinical expertise, and hone your organizational skills
Fun, friendly atmosphere with highly skilled and tenured staff to learn
from and assist in your growth.
All private patient rooms
Are you interested in joining the team at KCH?
Contact us. We would love to talk with you!
EMAIL CAREERS@KCH.ORG | PHONE P 740.393.9021 OR P 740.393.9822