Joyce singlehandedly cleaned up a confused patient who ripped his IV and spilled chemo everywhere. She did not ask for help, and when I came in to help her, everything was mostly done. The next day, she helped the PCAs move this same patient to another room and pushed the recliners, etc. She always does that. But what I would never forget about this moment is how shocked the patient's family was to find out that she is our charge nurse for that shift and the shift before, when she cleaned up the patient and changed his bed. The patient's daughter is also an RN who works at a different hospital and was shocked that we had a charge nurse like Joyce. She helps the RNs and the PCAs all the time and that's what I love about her.
I started as a float to 9300, and the first time I worked with her, I stood by the door of a patient's room, looking for someone to help me change the patient. Joyce was sitting there and thought I was silly for waiting for a floor RN or PCA when she was available right there. It was awkward for myself who was not used to bothering a charge nurse to help a PCA like me change a patient. As busy as she already is, she always finds time to help.
Also, she has handled patient and family members' issues with grace. I have watched her be a good listener while trying to deescalate an issue, and not making the PCA or RN involved feel bad about the complaint. She is also calm, kind, and never anxious, and it helps everyone on the floor to have a charge nurse as experienced and as awesome as her. I really look up to Joyce and would like to lead like she does someday.