May 2011
Joyce
Hicks
,
RN
Medical Telemetry
UCLA HEALTH (CA)
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States
I would like to nominate a very special nurse that embodies the core values of a DAISY Nurse, Joyce Hicks RN CNIII on 7/5 East Medicine Unit at Ronald Reagan UCLA Healthcare. Joyce has been with UCLA Healthcare for the past 21 1/2 years. 7/5 East is a potpourri of patients and per the criteria of this award we do care for both overflow oncology and a wide spectrum of immune suppressed patients. Joyce has been a steadfast mentor and leader on our unit. Joyce has mentored many nurses on our unit; both new graduate nurses and transfer nurses from outside facilities. Joyce has served as Supervisor, has belonged to various unit based projects, a Magnet escort and has participated in JCAHO surveyors more than once. Joyce is the organizer that brings special events to life on our unit; such as bridal showers, baby showers, retirements, goodbyes, and our annual holiday party. I could go on and on about how Joyce is the leading expert of nursing care that transpires on our unit everyday, in fact she is known as the go to girl.
What really sets Joyce apart is the compassionate care that Joyce delivers to her patients. I can recall one patient that stayed with us through two admissions and was discharged to hospice. This patient was a graduate student at UCLA and had stage 4 gastric cancer. A parent supports an adult child through school and never expects to find themselves faced with a life cut short. I watched as Joyce so expertly supported the patient and family through a very short and shocking transition of a diagnosis and eventually death. It was Joyce that could advocate and navigate both the patient and family through this tragic time. I was so struck by her ability to calm the family and nurse the patient. Her professional and compassionate care helped to ease the pain of the parents and the patient through trust; as the parents of the patient struggled to accept the diagnosis of their son and his eventual death. I believe that our patients and families take for granted that a nurse is clinically competent; but to transcend the art of healing is truly a gift. The patient benefited by compassionate nursing care and the family benefited by having a strong competent nurse who was there completely in their moment of need and she eased their pain and suffering by just being Joyce.
The standard of care that Joyce delivers impacts each and every one of her patients and families that she cares for each and every day. You may hear of a heroic story about a nurse and heroics are happening everyday in this hospital. I challenge you to find another nurse who consistently nails it each time everyday. I have never seen Joyce have an off day. In fact when I first came to UCLA Healthcare, Joyce was my preceptor and one statement that stands out in my mind is "We don't do it that way at UCLA. We have policies, procedures, and critical thinking. There is a rationale for every nursing action." Today we call that evidenced-based practice; 15 years ago I knew firsthand in my preceptorship what made UCLA nursing care stand out as a leader; thank you Joyce.
When you consider Joyce for this award, acknowledge her as a constant gardener of so many DAISY Nurses here on 7/5 East. Joyce plants the seeds, allows us to grow and is always available to provide nourishment to our craft. I personally cannot count how many times I have interrupted her day to help me troubleshoot or assist in a skill I am not quite confident with or rusty at; Joyce always knows and makes the time. I often wonder how she knows everything every time. Ask any direct care nurse and they will attest that you gage your day on who you are working with. When I come to work and see Joyce, I breathe a sigh of relief and no matter what Joyce is here. If I were sick I would want Joyce to take care of me. When a nurse has those thoughts of a fellow coworker, please take notice. A medicine nurse is a salt of the earth nurse and our unit is not easy to work on. Medicine is not considered a glamorous unit per say, or the big dogs on the porch unit. We are the gatekeepers between the patient and the ICU.
When you ask nurses on our unit why do you stay, the answer is "the people that I work with keep me here." Joyce is a key staff member who makes a difference in both the patients and families that she cares for and the nurses that she inspires. Joyce is a full bloom DAISY Nurse and as you look around our unit you will see little daisies sprouting here and there and chances are it was Joyce that planted the seed. Please do not miss the opportunity to honor a very special nurse that has made such a unique and special contribution on our unit. I encourage you to walk through our unit when Joyce Hicks is working and witness what I witness each and every shift I work when Joyce is scheduled.
Nominated by Staff RN
What really sets Joyce apart is the compassionate care that Joyce delivers to her patients. I can recall one patient that stayed with us through two admissions and was discharged to hospice. This patient was a graduate student at UCLA and had stage 4 gastric cancer. A parent supports an adult child through school and never expects to find themselves faced with a life cut short. I watched as Joyce so expertly supported the patient and family through a very short and shocking transition of a diagnosis and eventually death. It was Joyce that could advocate and navigate both the patient and family through this tragic time. I was so struck by her ability to calm the family and nurse the patient. Her professional and compassionate care helped to ease the pain of the parents and the patient through trust; as the parents of the patient struggled to accept the diagnosis of their son and his eventual death. I believe that our patients and families take for granted that a nurse is clinically competent; but to transcend the art of healing is truly a gift. The patient benefited by compassionate nursing care and the family benefited by having a strong competent nurse who was there completely in their moment of need and she eased their pain and suffering by just being Joyce.
The standard of care that Joyce delivers impacts each and every one of her patients and families that she cares for each and every day. You may hear of a heroic story about a nurse and heroics are happening everyday in this hospital. I challenge you to find another nurse who consistently nails it each time everyday. I have never seen Joyce have an off day. In fact when I first came to UCLA Healthcare, Joyce was my preceptor and one statement that stands out in my mind is "We don't do it that way at UCLA. We have policies, procedures, and critical thinking. There is a rationale for every nursing action." Today we call that evidenced-based practice; 15 years ago I knew firsthand in my preceptorship what made UCLA nursing care stand out as a leader; thank you Joyce.
When you consider Joyce for this award, acknowledge her as a constant gardener of so many DAISY Nurses here on 7/5 East. Joyce plants the seeds, allows us to grow and is always available to provide nourishment to our craft. I personally cannot count how many times I have interrupted her day to help me troubleshoot or assist in a skill I am not quite confident with or rusty at; Joyce always knows and makes the time. I often wonder how she knows everything every time. Ask any direct care nurse and they will attest that you gage your day on who you are working with. When I come to work and see Joyce, I breathe a sigh of relief and no matter what Joyce is here. If I were sick I would want Joyce to take care of me. When a nurse has those thoughts of a fellow coworker, please take notice. A medicine nurse is a salt of the earth nurse and our unit is not easy to work on. Medicine is not considered a glamorous unit per say, or the big dogs on the porch unit. We are the gatekeepers between the patient and the ICU.
When you ask nurses on our unit why do you stay, the answer is "the people that I work with keep me here." Joyce is a key staff member who makes a difference in both the patients and families that she cares for and the nurses that she inspires. Joyce is a full bloom DAISY Nurse and as you look around our unit you will see little daisies sprouting here and there and chances are it was Joyce that planted the seed. Please do not miss the opportunity to honor a very special nurse that has made such a unique and special contribution on our unit. I encourage you to walk through our unit when Joyce Hicks is working and witness what I witness each and every shift I work when Joyce is scheduled.
Nominated by Staff RN