Charina Monteagudo, RN

As a charge nurse on any night shift, Charina Monteagudo excels at every aspect of her job. No matter how busy she may be, she always checks on every single staff member in every pod with a fast pep in her step. This particular night, I had to perform many procedures (IVs, catheters, respiratory support) on my own and other patients, as well as help train a resident RN with new skill opportunities. The entire time, Charina never hesitated to help with every task that came her way, assisting patients and staff in the entire 334-foot unit, and still gave break opportunities to every staff member.

Whether it was coordinating care and discharge planning, repositioning patients, giving medications, or quick actions that saved lives, no task is too big for Charina. On other nights with a minimum of 6 admissions per shift change and lots of neuro cases, she would assist with all the initial NIH assessments. But on any given shift, she is consistently the strongest block in the tower. She brings out the best in all the staff on her unit, and working together is always easier when she is around.