Nurses keep the hospital running. If you’ve ever been to the hospital or clinic, you will have had the pleasure of working with a nurse. In the next few months we are highlighting some of the amazing nurses at Carle Foundation Hospital. More than 1,600 nurses practice at Carle in a variety of settings – all dedicated to providing exceptional patient care.
Meet our nurse-to-know, Aja Bozarth.
Tell us about yourself and why you love working and living in #chambana.
I graduated from Tuscola High School in 2002 and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor in science degree while playing volleyball for four years. After EIU I spent a year coaching varsity volleyball and was the assistant girls basketball coach at Tuscola High School. (My father was the head coach.) I then attained my associate’s degree in nursing from Parkland College and was hired at Carle Foundation Hospital to work in the Emergency Department. I have worked in the ED for 10 years this July. I am married to Justin Bozarth and we have three daughters (Isabel, 8, Mia, 6, and Lillian, 2).
I love being a part of the Champaign-Urbana community because of the people. There was a time my husband and I explored the idea of moving away. After having kids, it did not take long for us to realize that it’s not where we live, but rather who fills our lives that truly matters. I feel the same way about work. Shifts in the ED can be daunting and overwhelming at times. My coworkers get me through. I have been blessed with my sister and brother-in-law working alongside me as ED nurses these last few years. They have been a sounding board for difficult cases and understanding not only the physical strain of our job, but the emotional impact as well.
Describe your typical day at work.
My typical work day varies based on my title for the day. When I am the scheduled coordinator in the Emergency Department I arrive at 6:30 a.m. for a 12-hour shift. I immediately begin discussions with the night shift coordinator about the previous 12 hours, including staffing and high-risk patients in the ED. Once I have gathered important information, I assign incoming staff to various pods in the ED. This is a vital piece of the flow of the day. It’s imperative to consider placing experienced staff with newer employees. Through this method of staff placement our newer nurses value the knowledge of seasoned nurses. At the same time it pushes experienced nurses to continue to learn while educating. Each shift is vastly different, but the overall goal of the coordinator is to make every nurse feel supported while pushing them to find their own solutions. As a coordinators, I do bedside audits to ensure patients are receiving the great care they deserve and to determine areas of improvement for our staff or recognition for a job well done.
Aja Bozarth, right, with her husband Justin, and their daughters. Photo provided.
I also work as an educator in the ED, dedicated to providing our staff with valuable knowledge to do their jobs well. We provide staff education in a variety of meaningful, memorable ways, such as rhymes performed by staff members, flyers, email and more. There was a time when I couldn’t decide between becoming a nurse or a teacher. Today I have the best of both worlds.
What do you like most about your job? About working at Carle?
I have never been someone who can sit still for very long. I grew up in a home where the TV had a sign on it in the summer reading, “Go play outside.” I’ve also been someone who prefers change and challenges. The ED provides this exact atmosphere. Every day is different, and there is always an opportunity to impact someone’s life.
In my 10 years at Carle I have been inspired by the growth of the organization driven by the vision of its leaders. I value leaders who encourage employees to become invested in their roles. Leaders at Carle encourage the use of small workgroups to tackle issues and find solutions. The use of volunteer employees for these groups provides an environment for varying ideas while allowing the group to feel part of process changes. When employees feel they have a voice, they often stay with the organization longer. I feel the more invested I become, the more driven I am to make positive changes for our patients and staff.
Why did you want to become a nurse?
I became a nurse because I care about people and I am intrigued by the science behind the human body. I became an emergency department nurse specifically because of the rapid pace and the opportunity to work with every age group.
What is something that has surprised you being a nurse?
I continue to be surprised by the impact nurses can have not only on patients, but within our community. I value the trust people put in nurses. I have found the tone of the patient’s visit can be determined by the first interaction with the nurse. I learned early in my years of nursing that human touch, eye contact and body language are vitally important. I have made it my practice to face the patient when talking, often sitting down on the bed or on a stool at the end of the bed. I find myself holding a patient’s hand or rubbing their feet while I listen. Trust can be built quickly, but you have to be genuine in your delivery of care.
Tell us about a memorable patient (without violating HIPAA).
My most memorable moment happened a few months ago while driving on Interstate 57 with my family. We came upon a bad accident where help was needed. I jumped out and quickly recognized the severity of the situation when I saw a young girl laying in the ditch unconscious. Another Carle Emergency Department staff member, Austin, was also passing by when he saw the accident. Austin and I worked nights together for a few years in the ED and could navigate what was needed with minimal words. We provided CPR, started IV fluids and prepared the young girl for the arrival of Carle AirLife, which would transfer her to Carle where she would continue to receive the life-saving care she needed from my peers.
The accident was a strong reminder of the tough job our first responders have and how grateful I am for the work they do. I thank them every chance I get. The experience also reminded me it’s OK to allow my heart to feel. As an emergency department nurse, there are times when you keep your heart protected because the reality is too difficult to handle. In this case, a few days after the accident, I had the opportunity to check on the young girl while she was in the Intensive Care Unit. Without knowing much about her condition, I wasn’t sure her family would want to see me. And, I didn’t know if my heart could handle it. God’s push led me to the warm, teary eyes of the young girl’s father and sister. My first visit found her still in critical condition and unrecognizable to family. But, just days later, I was told she was improving, was responsive and following commands. I headed to the ICU to see for myself, and was greeted by the young girl’s mother this time. We talked about how her daughter was doing and her anticipated recovery, but quickly found ourselves discussing children in general. We both have three daughters, and she assured me I would survive their teen years. I am thankful I was chosen to be there on the day this young girl needed me. She gave me something too. She reminded me nursing is a gift and to not take for granted the impact I can have on patients and families.
Tell us about something you enjoy doing when not at work.
My husband is the Tuscola High School boys basketball coach, and my father is the Tuscola High School girls basketball coach, so we frequent a lot of games throughout the winter months. I have been blessed to have cousins competing in Tuscola athletics for the last 11 years, so their activities have kept us busy. When I’m not in a gym or at work, my favorite thing to do is to host impromptu gatherings at our home with family and friends. We enjoy competitive games and have a new found love for Song Quiz on Alexa. I am happiest when my house is full.
Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Physician Group are celebrating their third Magnet designation for superior nursing care – a standard only 8 percent of hospitals in the United States meet. Magnet is a national recognition for nursing excellence granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Carle first achieved Magnet designation in 2009 and was re-designated most recently in March 2019.Meet more of Carle’s amazing nurses and learn more about nursing at Carle.
