Ciera
November 2021
Ciera
B
,
RN
South (Adolescent) Unit
Fairfax Behavioral Health
Kirkland
,
WA
United States
Ciera is a testament to the many nurses and healthcare workers that provide astounding care at Fairfax.
Working in such a challenging environment requires a multitude of qualities, such as effective communication and sound decision-making. Despite having to use these qualities often, being tasked to clearly express a peer’s performance, their extraordinary contributions to our patients and hospital, and having to decide which nurse to nominate for this award has proved as difficult a task as I have ever faced working in any hospital setting. There are many deserving and amazing nurses (heroes) that I’ve had the tremendous privilege to serve with, but the nurse that comes to mind who demonstrates that extraordinary, compassionate care the most is Ciera.
Ciera has been with Fairfax now for years. When she graduated from nursing school last year, we were extremely fortunate to retain her. Though the roles and responsibilities are very different from her previous position as a Mental Health Tech, the learning curve for her was small and fast. The transition was seamless. Not only did she work as a floor nurse, but became the Charge Nurse immediately. Most new grad nurses cannot and will not spearhead something so terrifying, but Ciera is cut from a different cloth. Most staff at Fairfax would agree that working on the adolescent unit is very difficult and arguably the toughest unit to work on in the hospital. Ciera accepted this challenge and was undaunted by the trials that lay ahead. Shift after shift, code after code, Ciera has been the backbone of that unit.
It’s not in a single story, but in countless stories that I have witnessed her reassuring a parent on the phone, sitting on the floor or at the bedside, and even in physical restraint, calmly speaking to a patient in crisis. I’ve witnessed her de-escalate and disarm the most aggressive patients, and I’ve watched her cry for and cry with these same patients that (several moments prior) just hit, spit on or kicked her. Even on her worst shifts and with the most challenging kids, her voice remains soft, yet steadfast “There is no kid not worth saving,” she said. Truer words have not been spoken.
Ciera is a testament to the many nurses and healthcare workers that provide astounding care at Fairfax. Whatever she may lack in nursing experience, she more than makes up for it with heart, compassion, and altruism. Long before Ciera started nursing school, she already had what it took to be a great nurse. She was and still is a remarkable human being. Take a bow Ciera. You deserve this!
Ciera has been with Fairfax now for years. When she graduated from nursing school last year, we were extremely fortunate to retain her. Though the roles and responsibilities are very different from her previous position as a Mental Health Tech, the learning curve for her was small and fast. The transition was seamless. Not only did she work as a floor nurse, but became the Charge Nurse immediately. Most new grad nurses cannot and will not spearhead something so terrifying, but Ciera is cut from a different cloth. Most staff at Fairfax would agree that working on the adolescent unit is very difficult and arguably the toughest unit to work on in the hospital. Ciera accepted this challenge and was undaunted by the trials that lay ahead. Shift after shift, code after code, Ciera has been the backbone of that unit.
It’s not in a single story, but in countless stories that I have witnessed her reassuring a parent on the phone, sitting on the floor or at the bedside, and even in physical restraint, calmly speaking to a patient in crisis. I’ve witnessed her de-escalate and disarm the most aggressive patients, and I’ve watched her cry for and cry with these same patients that (several moments prior) just hit, spit on or kicked her. Even on her worst shifts and with the most challenging kids, her voice remains soft, yet steadfast “There is no kid not worth saving,” she said. Truer words have not been spoken.
Ciera is a testament to the many nurses and healthcare workers that provide astounding care at Fairfax. Whatever she may lack in nursing experience, she more than makes up for it with heart, compassion, and altruism. Long before Ciera started nursing school, she already had what it took to be a great nurse. She was and still is a remarkable human being. Take a bow Ciera. You deserve this!