Geraldine
Reyes
April 2011
Geraldine
Reyes
,
RN
ED
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States
Geraldine “Girlie” Reyes
Girlie, I can’t get the IV in, can you try? Girlie, I am getting slammed and need help; can you come to room 4? Girlie, I haven’t eaten yet; can you watch my patients for me? Girlie, tell me if you think this patient needs ICU!
These are just a few examples of the things heard when Girlie is working in the ED. She is the calming hand in a stressful moment, and she has never led me in the wrong direction when it comes to patient care. She also serves as my motivation to become a leader and mentor to others.
Girlie has worked here at TMH since 1997. When she isn’t being superwoman, she is usually playing a practical joke on someone or making the staff laugh at stressful moments. Whether it’s putting an orange peel in her mouth and smiling or dancing in a very awkward manner, I can depend on getting a laugh from her when needed. She is also very dependable and always there to help no matter what.
Being here for 14 years, people sometimes overlook the hard work she does as “just being Girlie” and “that’s just how she is.”
In 2010 we lost a beloved co-worker, Tri Nguyen, and it devastated all of us. Tri was one of the best nurses I have known and by far one of the funniest. He left an empty space in our work day. I believe that the depression and grief that everyone felt was eased with Girlie’s personality and humor. Everyone needed someone to start acting normal again and “shock” us back to reality.
Having been a nurse for many years, her patient care is superb. Not only skill wise, but her knowledge of patient conditions and management is excellent. Girlie doesn’t have patient assignments; instead she helps the staff (PCA’s, unit secretary and RN’s) with the entire ED patient population. She has her CEN certification and is our permanent charge nurse— also known as our “life saver.”
It’s rare to see Girlie sit down unless she is starting an IV on a patient or relieving our unit secretary for a lunch break. As I’m writing this letter, Girlie is running around the ED cleaning and organizing the nurse’s station to prepare for our busy day ahead. Like a true leader, her dedication to her job shows in our staff’s faces and attitudes.
Girlie, I can’t get the IV in, can you try? Girlie, I am getting slammed and need help; can you come to room 4? Girlie, I haven’t eaten yet; can you watch my patients for me? Girlie, tell me if you think this patient needs ICU!
These are just a few examples of the things heard when Girlie is working in the ED. She is the calming hand in a stressful moment, and she has never led me in the wrong direction when it comes to patient care. She also serves as my motivation to become a leader and mentor to others.
Girlie has worked here at TMH since 1997. When she isn’t being superwoman, she is usually playing a practical joke on someone or making the staff laugh at stressful moments. Whether it’s putting an orange peel in her mouth and smiling or dancing in a very awkward manner, I can depend on getting a laugh from her when needed. She is also very dependable and always there to help no matter what.
Being here for 14 years, people sometimes overlook the hard work she does as “just being Girlie” and “that’s just how she is.”
In 2010 we lost a beloved co-worker, Tri Nguyen, and it devastated all of us. Tri was one of the best nurses I have known and by far one of the funniest. He left an empty space in our work day. I believe that the depression and grief that everyone felt was eased with Girlie’s personality and humor. Everyone needed someone to start acting normal again and “shock” us back to reality.
Having been a nurse for many years, her patient care is superb. Not only skill wise, but her knowledge of patient conditions and management is excellent. Girlie doesn’t have patient assignments; instead she helps the staff (PCA’s, unit secretary and RN’s) with the entire ED patient population. She has her CEN certification and is our permanent charge nurse— also known as our “life saver.”
It’s rare to see Girlie sit down unless she is starting an IV on a patient or relieving our unit secretary for a lunch break. As I’m writing this letter, Girlie is running around the ED cleaning and organizing the nurse’s station to prepare for our busy day ahead. Like a true leader, her dedication to her job shows in our staff’s faces and attitudes.