Robin Heaton Answers Call to Nursing at MRHC

Robin Heaton

Robin Heaton

Robin Heaton’s nursing career is a testament to dedication, flexibility, and the pursuit of professional growth. Her journey from a college student unsure of her path to a seasoned nurse at Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) showcases her passion for healthcare and commitment to serving others.

Robin’s journey began at Morningside College in 1999, where she initially pursued a major in biology. However, it wasn’t long before she recognized her calling to be a nurse and switched majors in 2000. Throughout nursing school, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at several temp agencies in Sioux City. This experience enriched her understanding of patient care from multiple perspectives.

“I have always wanted to help people, and healthcare seemed to be in my future,” said Robin, RN, BSN. “Once I started college, nursing seemed like the obvious fit for me.”

After graduating in 2004, Robin began her professional nursing career at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She joined the newly established Neuro floor, where she was instrumental in the unit’s growth and development. This foundational experience in a specialized area honed her skills and set the stage for her future endeavors in healthcare.

In 2013, Robin moved to Hooper Care Center in Nebraska. Her role there further diversified her nursing experience, emphasizing the versatility required in different healthcare settings. In 2014, Robin’s career took a significant turn when she joined MRHC. Initially starting in the Acute Care unit, Robin’s adaptability and eagerness to learn led her to the surgery department in 2019 where she now serves as a surgical nurse. Her career at MRHC has allowed her to experience various facets of nursing.

“I am always impressed by the options at MRHC,” Robin expressed. “You can move from one department to another easily, and get many different types of experiences: from substance abuse treatment, to surgery, to skilled nursing, ER, clinic, Med/Surg, hospice, etc. I enjoy being involved in different aspects of healthcare, even ‘behind the scenes’ areas like insurance, billing, and policies. That type of exposure is invaluable, and you would not be able to do that at a bigger facility without completely changing roles. Plus, most nursing roles are specialized in larger facilities, and you would not get to touch so many areas of nursing.”

This unique ability to explore different nursing specialties within the same institution is a distinctive advantage of working at MRHC. In addition to seamlessly transitioning between departments and gaining a wide range of experiences, Robin is also grateful for the flexibility and supportive environment at the hospital.

“MRHC is very family-oriented and goes out of the way to help you put your family first. They have allowed me to change positions as my family and career needs changed,” Robin shared. “Joy (Blom), especially, has been phenomenal in supporting my work/family balance. She truly understands how important your family is and will do whatever is needed to help you. I couldn’t ask for better support from a manager.”

“Robin is an excellent asset to the surgical team,” said Director of Surgical Services, Joy Blom, RN. “She is very compassionate in caring for her patients. She always goes above and beyond to make sure her patients have everything they need and explains things in detail to ensure they understand.” Joy Blom

Robin’s current role in MRHC’s surgery department is one she cherishes deeply. The close-knit team and the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of patient care resonate with her professional and personal values. She also notes how rewarding it is to care for the members of her community.

“I love that I am working in my community,” Robin expressed. “I am minutes from my home and my family. My friends and co-workers are the ones taking care of my family, and me as a patient. That close relationship is not something that often happens in other places.”

Robin notes that nursing is a uniquely flexible profession that can evolve with an ever-changing lifestyle and variety of family needs. For students considering a career in nursing, Robin offers a few pieces of advice.

“Always choose the path that aligns with your circumstances and goals, and keep your long-term goals in mind,” said Robin. “There are so many options to fit any life/family situation and opportunities to help you achieve your career goals. At MRHC, there are a variety of ways to further your education with tuition assistance. Take advantage of those opportunities!”

Robin’s journey is a great example of how a career in nursing can evolve and thrive within a supportive and dynamic healthcare environment like MRHC. If you are interested in joining the MRHC team, visit www.mrhcia.com/careers or call (712) 655-2072 for more information.

Gaming May Lead to Dangerous, Addictive Behaviors

gaming

Struggling to keep the video game controller out of your kids’ hands? While playing video games may seem like a harmless activity for adolescents, gaming may be more dangerous than parents think.

“As adults, many aspects of our bodies such as our eyes and brain are developed. Our children are still developing, so we are seeing how increased screen time can affect development and cause other long-term effects,” said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, CADC.

Gaming addiction is a diagnosable medical condition by the World Health Organization. When video game play takes up significantly more time than the other activities in your life, it is a sign that there is a problem. Gaming addiction has become increasingly more prevalent as access to devices and a variety of games increases daily, and it does not discriminate based on age or status.

Whether it’s you or a loved one, signs that there is a gaming addiction include becoming distressed or on edge when asked to stop, inability to stop thinking about gaming while not playing, and various other signs that mimic substance abuse withdrawal.

As with any medical condition, there are health risks that can amplify and worsen over time if not addressed. Some of these risks that can result from video game addiction are:

  • Lack of social engagement
  • Problems concentrating on tasks
  • Poor hygiene
  • Lack of adequate sleep
  • Failure to complete school/family/work-related obligations
  • Loss of appetite
  • Reduced physical exercise
  • Anxiety/irritability/anger/agitation.

If you are seeing any of these symptoms in yourself, some things you can do to redirect your addiction would be to set firm boundaries for yourself, find other hobbies you enjoy to occupy your time, avoid people or situations that encourage gaming, join a support group, focus on your physical health, and get professional mental health support.

“Gaming addiction is something we are all continuing to learn about and figure out how to teach balance in a child’s life. This starts with our own examples in the home and around our children. We are working hard to continue to educate ourselves and promote healthy habits with children and adults in the community,” Vonnahme shared.

Could Gaming Lead to Gambling Issues?

One major aspect of gaming addiction is gambling. Young people are getting exposed to gambling at earlier ages than ever before – not only in traditional forms like casinos, lotteries, or sports betting, but in new, less obvious forms like gaming, loot boxes, and fantasy sports. Research shows that children introduced to “harmless betting” by age 12 are four times more likely to engage in problem gambling later. A teen’s brain isn’t wired yet to weigh risks and make healthy choices. So that “win” on an online game today can lead to the negative side effects of real-life gambling tomorrow.

Gambling disorders can begin in children as young as ten years old, and problem gambling impacts about 4-8% of youths as compared to only 1% of adults. Additionally, gambling can serve as a gateway addiction as teens who gamble are more likely to engage in the use of illegal drugs. Risk factors leading to adolescent gambling can include, but are not limited to suicidal ideation or behaviors, a close family member with a gambling problem, major negative life events or traumatic experiences, excessive video game use, disconnection from family, poor coping skills, and theft/fighting/violence.

Early warning signs that your adolescent may be addicted to gambling could be any of the following:

  • Showing less interest in activities
  • Changes in their attitude with school (missed classes, incomplete assignments, lower grades)
  • Behavior changes (more aggression, defensiveness, signs of anxiety/depression)
  • Noticeable interest in competition/winning/being right
  • Missing cash or finding stashed cash your child is keeping
  • Increased time spent online – especially in secret

All these early warning signs, if left undetected and treated, can all become problematic when they interfere with school/work/other activities, cause problems with family and friends, lead to isolation and loneliness, contribute to alcohol/drug misuse, bring safety concerns, or create financial stressors.

As with any addictive behavior, there are steps you can take to reduce the risks of your child being influenced. Talk to your child about the risks of gambling, model responsible behavior related to gambling, monitor your adolescent’s computer and cellphone usage, limit their access to money – including credit cards, get help for mental health and substance use concerns, and strengthen important relationships in your child’s life (i.e.: parent-child, extended family, friends, and other key adults).

If you need help or guidance, or are looking for support and resources, we encourage you to reach out to your family care provider or contact the Recovery Center at (712) 655-2300.