SUNA SPOTLIGHT: Ann Welbes, CURN, BSN

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Ann Welbes has seen and done a lot in her nursing career that spans more than 30 years.

Currently at West Shore Urology, a private practice of four urologists in Muskegon, Mich., Ann is the continence nurse and runs the continence clinic for the practice. She performs all urodynamic studies and also treats patients referred to her by the urologists with behavior therapy in the form of pelvic floor rehabilitation, including exercise, dietary modification, bladder retraining and neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

As if that wasn’t enough, Ann also administers percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and works with Interstim® patients, including patient education and reprogramming. She fits pessaries and changes indwelling Foley and supra pubic catheters, along with performing pre-op teaching for all major surgeries, including robotic prostatectomies and bladder slings. Ann also teaches self-catheterization and gives community education seminars related to urinary incontinence in both men and women. She started the continence clinic at WSU in Feb. 2004, and she said it is “the most rewarding job I've had in my nursing career of 31 years.”

And oh yeah, she’s also been a member of SUNA for many years.

“I joined SUNA when it was still the AUAA and participated in forming this Great Lakes Chapter,” Ann noted. “I served as Chapter President for a couple of years prior to turning leadership over to Susanne Quallich and the base of the chapter moved to its present location. I joined this organization to improve and enhance my urology skills through certification and continuing education. I regularly attend the annual SUNA Symposium of bowel and bladder disorders to network with colleagues and increase my knowledge base so that I can provide quality care to my many urology patients. “

Ann also said SUNA has helped advance her career and her social network.

”SUNA has provided me with the means to pursue my current role as continence specialist through quality continuing education, as well as an avenue to meet and network with urology nurses and associates throughout the country,” said Ann. “I love going to SUNA conferences and meetings and I have made many long-term contacts and friendships with other SUNA members. Being a SUNA member is a vital part of who I am and provides a solid base to my role as continence specialist.”

Ann received her Diploma in Professional Nursing from Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1978. She then received her BSN in 2002 from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., and has been a Certified Urologic Registered Nurse since 1993.

Prior to her present employment, Ann worked at Mercy General Health Partners for 21 years, including 15 years as staff nurse working mainly with post-operative inpatients (general surgery, orthopedic surgery, urology). During this time, she participated in teaching annual mandatory education to the hospital nursing staff.

After that, she worked for one year as the case manager for general surgery and urology. Her job was then integrated into the role of clinical leader of the multi-specialty inpatient unit, including urology, general surgery, nephrology, and oncology. Ann left in 2004 to pursue her dream becoming a continence specialist at West Shore Urology.

So, why urology?

“I chose urology because I have had bladder problems all my life and still struggle with urgency, frequency, and urinary incontinence,” Ann said. “I feel I relate to my patients well because I myself live with their problems and frustrations. The therapies I teach I use myself and can give them much insight into their problems and how to cope effectively with their conditions.

“My greatest reward is when a patient tells me that they actually stayed dry all night or were able to make it to the bathroom without incident using the suppression techniques I teach them. I serve all adults, young and old, men and women. The program is very successful. Eighty percent of my patients improve 80 percent in a very short time and stay dry for an extended period of time. I believe that with all my own bladder problems, I was destined to be a urology nurse.”

Away from work, Ann has been married to her husband, David, for 31 years. The couple has two daughters, Michelle and Rebecca.

Michelle is a Physician Assistant and she is married to Jeff, with a nine-month-old son, Carter David, Ann and David’s first grandchild. Michelle is also expecting again in April 2010.

Rebecca is an artist and lives in Chicago. She is multi-talented in visual communications/web design and loves to paint modern abstract art.

Ann herself loves to sing and listen to rock and country music. She also reads romance novels in my spare time and loves spending time with her children and grandson.