Monette Virrey

Ms. Monette Virrey started her nursing career in the Philippines then migrated to the USA with her family in 1983. Monette, as she is affectionately called, joined Coler Nursing as a staff nurse in chronic medicine unit. Her insight, problem solving skills, communication techniques, and interpersonal skills were remarkable that she was promoted to Head nurse of the respiratory unit in 1988. She took no time to quickly transform the unit into a well organized and unique unit. Because of all the special programs she implemented, she was regularly asked to give short presentations to new HN orientees. Recognizing her outstanding leadership skills, she was appointed as preceptor for the management and leadership program trainees from Long Island University.

During a promotional interview, Monette stated that she believes in directing good bedside care while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team. She is a self starter with an uncommon degree of resourcefulness. Because of her accomplishments in the respiratory unit, she was later reassigned to a nursing facility unit where she continues to precept and mentor new graduates. Monette is reliable and relates well with team members. She comfortably communicates her empathy while her encouraging attitude motivates the people she interacts with daily, including patients/residents.

To leadership as well as to her peers, it was no surprise when she was identified as the P.I. Safety Team Leader for the Incontinence Program in the Nursing Facility. The program started out with seventy four (74) incontinent residents who were placed on music and exercise program. Many residents graduated from this program and to this day remained continent. In order to sustain this success she spends many hours working closely with the staff to develop different ways to motivate the residents and if needed to alter their treatment in order to succeed.

The Director of Quality Management has this to say about Monette, “Ms. Virrey has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy team member. Her work is thorough, well organized, and reveals breadth and depth in her clinical thinking. Her clinical practice is sophisticated, flexible, and shows evidence of careful preparation and appropriate application of theory to practice”.