August 2026 Honoree
Felix Finklea, RN
Felix Finklea is a registered nurse who has spent her entire career in healthcare and has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and management. She is a woman of integrity with foresight into patients' care needs before they arise.
Recently, we had to re-admit a patient who was discharged a few months ago; this patient was returning for dementia and violent behavior. Felix coached the nurse on what she needs to be prepared to do: look over his scheduled and PRN medications to help him feel safe and calm, make sure the doctor puts orders in for delirium precautions, do not allow the patient to get between you and the exit, maintain a calm tone of voice, set limits, do not hesitate to request a sitter if constant observation is required, and make sure to document patient behavior.
Felix made sure the assigned nurse was comfortable managing this patient and his behavioral extremes. Felix also had the foresight to put the veteran in a solitary room to prevent issues and disruptions for other patients. Her staff huddle and coaching made the unit well prepared to work with this patient and help stabilize his behavior, mood, and mindset. It is because we were coached before he arrived that this veteran was admitted successfully and improved without incident. His behavioral change was drastic - right before discharge, the veteran was a calm and cooperative patient, sitting up front welcoming visitors and staff as they entered the unit.
During his inpatient stay, no one was injured or harmed because we were prepared to act and respond in the best interests of the veteran and his family. Felix is an incredible support for any needs, including but not limited to repositioning patients; reviewing medication questions; expressing issues and updates to providers; determining patient care priorities; drawing labs; inserting IVs; discussing the right approach for difficult patients; and coaching staff on how to improve nursing care.
When Felix is the assigned charge nurse for the shift, her expertise and confidence create a smoother, more balanced workload and shift, no matter how busy we are. Felix Finklea is never without a solution.
Recently, we had to re-admit a patient who was discharged a few months ago; this patient was returning for dementia and violent behavior. Felix coached the nurse on what she needs to be prepared to do: look over his scheduled and PRN medications to help him feel safe and calm, make sure the doctor puts orders in for delirium precautions, do not allow the patient to get between you and the exit, maintain a calm tone of voice, set limits, do not hesitate to request a sitter if constant observation is required, and make sure to document patient behavior.
Felix made sure the assigned nurse was comfortable managing this patient and his behavioral extremes. Felix also had the foresight to put the veteran in a solitary room to prevent issues and disruptions for other patients. Her staff huddle and coaching made the unit well prepared to work with this patient and help stabilize his behavior, mood, and mindset. It is because we were coached before he arrived that this veteran was admitted successfully and improved without incident. His behavioral change was drastic - right before discharge, the veteran was a calm and cooperative patient, sitting up front welcoming visitors and staff as they entered the unit.
During his inpatient stay, no one was injured or harmed because we were prepared to act and respond in the best interests of the veteran and his family. Felix is an incredible support for any needs, including but not limited to repositioning patients; reviewing medication questions; expressing issues and updates to providers; determining patient care priorities; drawing labs; inserting IVs; discussing the right approach for difficult patients; and coaching staff on how to improve nursing care.
When Felix is the assigned charge nurse for the shift, her expertise and confidence create a smoother, more balanced workload and shift, no matter how busy we are. Felix Finklea is never without a solution.
Thank you, Felix, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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