LIBERTYVILLE – Advocate Condell Medical Center nurse Mallory Iverson of Lake Zurich has devoted much of her time and effort to managing her patients' pain. Now, she's earned her Clinician III status by developing a project that determines how to deal with pain in non-pharmacological ways, according to a news release.

Iverson said chaplains are often brought in as a "last resort for chronic or very serious issues," so she wanted to learn if bringing a chaplain in for early pain intervention would make a difference in her patient's perception of pain.

The chaplain, who visited Iverson's patient every day for four consecutive days, did have a positive effect on their perception of pain, the release stated.

"This patient found the chaplain to be a great addition in managing her pain and helping her through everything that was happening to her," Iverson said.

Iverson was recognized by Condell nursing administrators and colleagues in Libertyville Jan. 16 for achieving her Clinician III status. In 2013, four Condell nurses achieved the same status. Iverson has additionally turned the case study into a full research project. Pending approval from the Institutional Review Board, Iverson will take a look more in-depth at the relationship between pain management and early intervention with a chaplain, the release stated.