George Ordonez
March 2017
George
Ordonez
,
BSN, RN
P6
Maine Medical Center
Portland
,
ME
United States
I have worked with George Ordonez for over 8 years and he has been a nurse on P6 for 17 years. George is probably 6'2" with a rough, gruff, Brooklyn, NY, exterior, but you don't have to look very far to realize that just below the surface is a giant teddy bear who offers the best of care, is compassionate, and has the perfect style for working with some of our most difficult psychiatric patients.
This group can be very difficult to work with. Some patients require his gruff exterior when they are threatening staff and need redirection. George is firm but gentle, never pushing the patient too far, and is able to de-escalate a situation and avoid the need to call security, which can sometimes only further stimulate and anger the patient.
On the other hand, when working with a frail, elderly, dementia patient who is refusing medications or refusing ADL care, George seems to have a gentle touch, and can calmly get the patient to comply, even in the toughest of situations.
His size and strength come in handy as well. There are many times when staff is in need of an extra set of strong hands to reposition a patient, get a patient up from the floor, transfer a patient, and George seems to have an extra set of ears and eyes, because he always seems to be there at the right time to offer his assistance.
George recently was hired as a Designated Charge Nurse on P6, one of three in this position. I never see George sitting down. He is always walking the unit, making sure the unit is safe, checking to see if someone needs his assistance, or spending time with patients. He has high expectations of his co-workers, and he isn't shy about speaking up when they aren't doing their fair share or following unit protocols. I admire his confidence and professionalism.
When I first began working on P6, George was my preceptor. As a brand new nurse, he was patient and not intimidating at all as he taught me the skills I needed to be successful on P6. I see him now working with new nurses and CNAs. He is thorough and a hand's length away for guidance, but he also encourages independence with new staff, allowing them to make mistakes, learn, and become confident in their roles.
George has a great sense of humor and can lighten the atmosphere on the toughest of days. P6 can be a very hard unit to work on, and I always know it's going to be a great day when I see George is working that day too. George, thank you for being you. P6 has been so lucky to have you for 17 years, and will hopefully have you for many more.
This group can be very difficult to work with. Some patients require his gruff exterior when they are threatening staff and need redirection. George is firm but gentle, never pushing the patient too far, and is able to de-escalate a situation and avoid the need to call security, which can sometimes only further stimulate and anger the patient.
On the other hand, when working with a frail, elderly, dementia patient who is refusing medications or refusing ADL care, George seems to have a gentle touch, and can calmly get the patient to comply, even in the toughest of situations.
His size and strength come in handy as well. There are many times when staff is in need of an extra set of strong hands to reposition a patient, get a patient up from the floor, transfer a patient, and George seems to have an extra set of ears and eyes, because he always seems to be there at the right time to offer his assistance.
George recently was hired as a Designated Charge Nurse on P6, one of three in this position. I never see George sitting down. He is always walking the unit, making sure the unit is safe, checking to see if someone needs his assistance, or spending time with patients. He has high expectations of his co-workers, and he isn't shy about speaking up when they aren't doing their fair share or following unit protocols. I admire his confidence and professionalism.
When I first began working on P6, George was my preceptor. As a brand new nurse, he was patient and not intimidating at all as he taught me the skills I needed to be successful on P6. I see him now working with new nurses and CNAs. He is thorough and a hand's length away for guidance, but he also encourages independence with new staff, allowing them to make mistakes, learn, and become confident in their roles.
George has a great sense of humor and can lighten the atmosphere on the toughest of days. P6 can be a very hard unit to work on, and I always know it's going to be a great day when I see George is working that day too. George, thank you for being you. P6 has been so lucky to have you for 17 years, and will hopefully have you for many more.