EvenMORE For You

It’s National Nurses Month!

Staff Spotlight on 2 Outstanding Hospice Nurses: Megan Robertson, RN in Cincinnati & Mary Kushner, RN in Philadelphia

Today marks the beginning of National Nurses Month, 31 days in the month of May recognizing and celebrating the immense contributions of nurses to healthcare delivery. 

It was only six years ago in 2020 that the American Nurses Association (ANA) expanded National Nurses Week to a month. This was in recognition of the depth of impact of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ANA’s May programming for nurses focuses on better supporting the nursing profession through self-care, recognition, professional development and community engagement. 

Nurses specializing in end-of-life care are important and highly valued members of the hospice care team. In honor of National Nurses Month in our three May editions of EM4U we’ll be spotlighting outstanding Crossroads nurses beginning with Megan Robertson, RN in Cincinnati and Mary Kushner, RN in Philadelphia.

Megan Robertson, RN Belongs in Hospice Care

Case Manager Megan Robertson, RN joined Crossroads in Cincinnati just 14 months ago. She brought a wealth of hospital nursing experience to her position after years in the Operating Room (OR,) medical surgical floors, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Cardiac Care Unit (CCU.)

While initially it was the furthest thing from her mind due to typical end-of-life care “misconceptions,” Megan has a friend who worked in hospice nursing and recommended that she consider it.

It hasn’t been long but she “loves being with Crossroads, mainly because of the patients.” Megan said Crossroads is where she “belongs.” She becomes quite “attached (to patients) in a good way.” Megan loves hearing their stories and becoming part of the family admitting, she thinks about her patients “all the time” even when she’s not on the job.

One thing she’s still getting used to is a switch in mindset from curative to comfort care. Megan is also learning the signs of passing and transitioning to rapid decline. “It’s not emotionless but we have a job to perform,” for the families Robin said. She stays as professional as possible while admitting she feels loss when losing dear patients she’s spent a lot of time caring for.

When Megan’s not working she’s “hardly ever home,” enjoying the outdoors, kayaking, going to concerts and enjoying daughters 23 and 14 and a son, age 15. The most exciting news? The anticipation of her first grandbaby in September.

Mary Kushner, RN Oversees the Best End-of-Life Care

“I enjoy my job and it shows through.” That’s what Crossroads in Philadelphia Case Manager Mary Kushner, RN, said. She discovered that she “loves it” and that working in end-of-life care is a very good match for her.

Triage is what she called the role of a Nurse Case Manager. First and foremost Mary is “keeping an eye of patients, seeing what they need.” And when “emergencies come, I’m there for them,” she said.

While Mary has worked at Crossroads for just three years, she had a more than 15 year run as a home care visiting nurse. It was her mother who suggested that Mary might be very good in hospice nursing. She was right!

Mary also brings a lot of management experience to her position. While giving patients the best care possible she is also a professional mentor and support to the nurses, aides, social workers and chaplains on her Crossroads team.

On a personal note, Mary appreciates the patients’ personal stories and their struggles, which make her appreciate life and “put things in perspective.” With two kids now in college, Mary is enjoying her three dogs. She said, as a hospice nurse at Crossroads, “I think I’ve found my calling."

Small Shifts, Big Change: Why Investing in Yourself Matters

By Emily Hammer
Let’s be honest—many of us are running on autopilot. We show up, get through the day, check the boxes, and tell ourselves we’ll focus on ourselves later. We usually come last on the To-Do list. 

But the truth is that real change doesn’t come from one big, life-altering moment. It comes from small, intentional shifts repeated over time. Habits and discipline – two sometimes very distasteful words. And often, it happens faster and sticks longer when you have the right support. Accountability is huge.

That’s where coaching support comes in.

Growth isn’t complicated—but it is uncomfortable. In fact, the more uncomfortable it is, the more growth is available.

It requires you to be honest about what’s not working. To admit where you feel stuck. To say out loud what you really want—sometimes for the first time ever. That’s vulnerability.

And then choosing to do something about it? Even when it feels awkward, scary, or unfamiliar? That’s courage.

Maybe it's setting a boundary instead of overcommitting? Speaking up in a meeting when you’d normally stay quiet. Or perhaps it's finally admitting that everything isn’t actually “fine.” These may not feel like bold moves in the moment—but they are. And they build confidence quickly.

What Happens in a Coaching Session?

Coaching isn’t about someone bossing you around telling you how to live your life or that you’re doing it wrong. It’s about helping you get clear on what you want—and what’s been getting in the way. It’s a conversation, not a lecture.

Some questions you’ll be asked:

• What feels off that prompted you to seek coaching?
• What would “better” actually look like for you?
• What’s been holding you back from making a change?
• What’s one small step you could take this week?
• What do you need more of… and what needs to go?

Simple questions, honest answers. When you have clarity about your life, you’re better equipped to make changes.

What Can You Expect from Coaching?

When employees lean into coaching, things start to shift—quickly.

You’ll probably notice:

• Clearer priorities and direction
• More confidence in your decisions
• Stronger, healthier boundaries
• Less stress and burnout
• Better communication at work and at home

The biggest shift? You stop just reacting to your life—and start designing it.

And sometimes, things seem to get worse before they get better. Because you’re digging into an area you may have never explored and it can be uncomfortable. This is normal and it means you’re challenging old thoughts and beliefs. This is good!

Remember, this isn’t about overhauling your entire life overnight or even next week.

It’s about taking small actions:

• Taking a 10-minute walk to clear your head instead of pushing through
• Saying “no” without overexplaining
• Having that conversation you’ve been avoiding

These are the “small” things that change everything and these shifts build momentum. You don’t need a perfect plan (it doesn’t exist) and you don’t need to have it all figured out. In fact, the more open-minded you are, the more powerful the transformation. Just show up with a willingness to start and accept help. Connection is an undervalued commodity in today's digital world. Human problems require human help.

The best ideas are simple. So simple, we almost miss them.

Shameless plug: PDC Rx offers coaching. Please reach out to your HR department to get started.

Disclaimer
This coaching space is designed to support your growth, clarity, and personal transformation. While our work together can be powerful, it is not a substitute for therapy, mental health counseling, or medical care.

I am not a licensed therapist or medical provider, and I do not diagnose or treat mental health or medical conditions.

If you are navigating deeper emotional or mental health challenges, I encourage you to seek support from a licensed professional who can best support you in that area.

By participating in this coaching experience, you understand that you are responsible for your own choices, actions, and well-being—and I’m here to support you along the way.

Access to free mental health benefits is available through the app My Benefits Work. For more information about this robust offering, please reach out to your HR department.