December 2024
Grace
Wrzesinski
,
RN
ED
Inova Alexandria Hospital
Alexandria
,
VA
United States
I could share many stories about Grace being a nurse but the thing that makes her shine is her bright spirit and her outstanding work ethic.
When I spoke to Grace regarding my mom's room, as Grace was the charge nurse the day of, she was considerate and caring. Grace showed care and understanding for my mom as an RN and colleague of mine. Grace has been an above-and-beyond charge nurse as well. When under pressure, she is calm and attentive toward patients.
***
During a family visit of a critical patient, I asked the charge nurse if the family could come back to the room, and she stated yes. However, after coming close to the room, I noticed the patient wasn't quite ready. Her disposition was unique; I immediately stopped the family in front of the room where the curtain was closed and swiftly walked back to the charge nurse, about five seconds away from the room, and asked if they could go in again! Grace looked at me, looked at the family members waiting, and immediately went over, stepped past the family, slightly opened the curtain to assess the situation, and said with the most confident voice, "Hi, I have your family here," turned around, with curtain now closed, reassured the family, what they were walking into, and then proceeded to let them walk in.
Grace's situational awareness and readiness were so professional, compassionate, and exceptional that I wanted to highlight her importance as the charge nurse that day.
***
Grace has been by far one of the best nurses I have had the pleasure to work with and for when she is in charge. Every day she is at work, she goes above and beyond expectations to make sure her staff is safe, and she is willing to jump in at any moment to help guide critical situations. Her helping hand and compassion never go unnoticed by patients. When a patient is upset, she takes the time to understand, empathize, and help make the patient feel understood, their feelings/emotions heard, and that they are happy with their treatment. I have almost ten years of experience with her, and she stands out as one of the best emergency room nurses I have ever seen. She is quick on her feet and can overcome anything with a smile. She is a definition of a true leader. She never talks at her staff but with her staff. She takes the time to work with us when help is needed on the floor.
One instance I would like to point out is when I had a shift with Grace in triage. We were advised that a patient needed help getting out of the car. She never hesitated to help. As we were walking out to get the patient, we realized that the patient was in critical condition. She stayed calm, and we collaborated on the most effective way to have this patient be rushed into the ED. She was poised and would constantly ask, "Are you okay with this?" The patient was emergently treated in the parking lot and moved into the Emergency Department. She stayed to make sure everyone was okay. She then stepped back into her role as a triage nurse without skipping a beat.
I could share many stories about Grace being a nurse but the thing that makes her shine is her bright spirit and her outstanding work ethic. You can tell that she has a passion for helping others and it is evident in her work here in the Emergency Department. I know whenever I need help she will always take the time to help me find an answer if she doesn't have the answer herself.
She has an unwavering spirit and a passion for helping others. When I see Grace is working, I know she will, regardless of her position in the Emergency Department, do her absolute best to make sure every patient has the absolute best care possible. She will always go above and beyond to help where she can, even if it's just her smiling and holding someone's hand.
As a leader, she isn't standing behind us but standing with us to create a strong foundation for the shift she is on. She makes it clear you can ask her anything, and she will genuinely make sure you get the answer you need. She also takes the time to help educate others when it's needed. When that happens, she never makes others feel incompetent but makes it clear this is an ever-evolving field, and it's okay to learn something new every shift. I am proud to call her a Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department. She is humble and kind and has always shown compassion for others.
***
During a family visit of a critical patient, I asked the charge nurse if the family could come back to the room, and she stated yes. However, after coming close to the room, I noticed the patient wasn't quite ready. Her disposition was unique; I immediately stopped the family in front of the room where the curtain was closed and swiftly walked back to the charge nurse, about five seconds away from the room, and asked if they could go in again! Grace looked at me, looked at the family members waiting, and immediately went over, stepped past the family, slightly opened the curtain to assess the situation, and said with the most confident voice, "Hi, I have your family here," turned around, with curtain now closed, reassured the family, what they were walking into, and then proceeded to let them walk in.
Grace's situational awareness and readiness were so professional, compassionate, and exceptional that I wanted to highlight her importance as the charge nurse that day.
***
Grace has been by far one of the best nurses I have had the pleasure to work with and for when she is in charge. Every day she is at work, she goes above and beyond expectations to make sure her staff is safe, and she is willing to jump in at any moment to help guide critical situations. Her helping hand and compassion never go unnoticed by patients. When a patient is upset, she takes the time to understand, empathize, and help make the patient feel understood, their feelings/emotions heard, and that they are happy with their treatment. I have almost ten years of experience with her, and she stands out as one of the best emergency room nurses I have ever seen. She is quick on her feet and can overcome anything with a smile. She is a definition of a true leader. She never talks at her staff but with her staff. She takes the time to work with us when help is needed on the floor.
One instance I would like to point out is when I had a shift with Grace in triage. We were advised that a patient needed help getting out of the car. She never hesitated to help. As we were walking out to get the patient, we realized that the patient was in critical condition. She stayed calm, and we collaborated on the most effective way to have this patient be rushed into the ED. She was poised and would constantly ask, "Are you okay with this?" The patient was emergently treated in the parking lot and moved into the Emergency Department. She stayed to make sure everyone was okay. She then stepped back into her role as a triage nurse without skipping a beat.
I could share many stories about Grace being a nurse but the thing that makes her shine is her bright spirit and her outstanding work ethic. You can tell that she has a passion for helping others and it is evident in her work here in the Emergency Department. I know whenever I need help she will always take the time to help me find an answer if she doesn't have the answer herself.
She has an unwavering spirit and a passion for helping others. When I see Grace is working, I know she will, regardless of her position in the Emergency Department, do her absolute best to make sure every patient has the absolute best care possible. She will always go above and beyond to help where she can, even if it's just her smiling and holding someone's hand.
As a leader, she isn't standing behind us but standing with us to create a strong foundation for the shift she is on. She makes it clear you can ask her anything, and she will genuinely make sure you get the answer you need. She also takes the time to help educate others when it's needed. When that happens, she never makes others feel incompetent but makes it clear this is an ever-evolving field, and it's okay to learn something new every shift. I am proud to call her a Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department. She is humble and kind and has always shown compassion for others.