I would like to nominate Lea Salinas for her exceptional display of leadership. As a new graduate RN, there are many challenges that I know I will face; new skills to learn, new environment to get acclimated to, and a new team to be a part of. Lea has made my transition to practice nursing easier by removing barriers that hinders learning; the anxiety and fear. She provided an environment of learning with a team that is supportive. She is visible in the unit and always makes herself available to answer any concerns and questions I have. The informative discussions she leads in the unit are very helpful because they keep us updated, and she is readily available for any clarifications. She has helped us physically in the unit when she noticed that we needed an extra helping hand. It can get busy and overwhelming at times, but the teamwork and leadership helps. It is inspiring to see an active leader who is supportive, encouraging, and an active participant of their team. It makes me want to be better for my patients as well as my team. I feel fortunate to have a leader to look up to like Lea.

***

Ms. Lea is not just our manager; she is also our greatest friend and mentor. She is always going above and beyond for her staff and the unit. One of the many beautiful examples of her compassion for patients and their families is how Ms. Lea helped a dying patient get married to his lovely fiancé at bedside before he passed away. It was a busy Thursday morning and Ms. Lea came to work early as usual. Everything was the same, yet not the same. At around noon time, Ms. Lea found out one of our critically ill patient’s prognoses was very bad, and this patient’s last wish was to marry his fiancé. Without any delay, she and her MICU team arranged a marriage ceremony within the confines of this patient’s ICU room. Ms. Lea contacted public relations, and patient relations, and followed proper procedures to comply with hospital policy and patient privacy. She also contacted the nursing retention department for any last-minute decorations that could be used in this event. Within hours, the patient’s room was decorated with balloons, flowers, and a congratulations banner by Ms. Lea and the staff. The bride requested to walk down the hallway. By fulfilling her wish, the beautiful bride was able to walk down the aisle to be united with the groom in his ICU room. Many hospital staff witnessed this beautiful moment. Many of them were in tears witnessing the ceremony of these two individuals with everlasting love. Unfortunately, this patient passed away three days after the wedding. However, what Ms. Lea did for this patient will forever stay in the hearts of those who witnessed it. It was such a beautiful and loving moment to see.

Ms. Lea’s compassion also extends to her staff as well as her patients. She heard one of her nurses was going through tough times because their grandmother was critically ill. To help her overwhelmed staff, Ms. Lea accommodated this nurse’s schedule so that she could spend the last special moments by her grandmother’s side. Unfortunately, this nurse’s grandmother passed. When Ms. Lea learned that this nurse would need time to travel abroad to give her grandmother a proper goodbye. She went above and beyond by providing the nurse with the necessary resources and support. 

Ms. Lea motivates her staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their patients. The organization’s mission is to provide world-class care and education for all in our community. The vision is to lead the nation by building healthy communities. To align with our hospital’s vision and values, Ms. Lea promotes teamwork and accountability within the unit. In addition to what I mentioned above, Ms. Lea supports lifelong learning; she also supports staff to utilize best practices such as A-F bundle during multidisciplinary rounds and TeamSTEPPs to improve communication between the teams and providers. To promote better patient outcomes, Ms. Lea led her nursing staff to utilize evidence-based practices in daily care practices. She is the nurse manager who leads by example. Ms. Lea comes to work as early as 5AM and sometimes leaves work at 8PM. She goes into patients’ rooms to assess the patients who have foleys, central lines, and cleans the patients when needed. She also ensures to assess patients who are at high risk for developing HAPIs. Under her great leadership, our unit was recognized during the town hall meeting for having the highest score on HCAPS, and zero falls, CAUTI, and CLABSI since beginning of this year, and one of the lowest counts for HAPIs. The greatest accomplishments were from June 1, 2023 until August 31, 2023, the unit maintained zero HAPIs in 3 consecutive months.
Ms. Lea implemented an open door policy since she came to 4A. Staff can reach her 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. She has her cell phone number posted in our breakroom. She is accessible, approachable, available, and responsive to the needs of others. Ms. Lea mentors her SSNs with the same managing styles. Staff can open up to 4A management for any kind of issues, from work-related issues to employee’s personal hardship. Ms. Lea always has an ear and time for her staff. That is also why 4A has one of the lowest staff turnover rates among all ICUs.

Another great example of Ms. Lea Salinas is promoting and enhancing the image of nursing within the organization, community, and the profession is by completing a 52-page Beacon application within 5 days of returning from an exhausting vacation. Ms. Lea went on a pre-approved two-week vacation in early August this year. What was supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing vacation with her family in Maui turned into a disaster. A Maui wildfire forced her and her family to stay in the evacuation center after being rejected by many hotels. The scheduled back flight was cancelled, which caused her situation to worsen. After a few days of living in fear and exhaustion, Ms. Lea and her family finally came back to Los Angeles safely. To make up for her husband’s birthday celebration and to comfort her kids, they decided to go to Big Bear for two days before she returned to work. Then, a hurricane and an earthquake happened while they were in Big Bear. Thankfully, they returned home safely. Ms. Lea returned to work on Monday morning without a break. As soon as she returned to work, she was made aware that a 52-page long Beacon application was due the following day. While she was gone, her SSNs were always put in ratio. There wasn’t any time given for her staff to work on this application. Ms. Lea was stressed out, but she knew that she could not give up. She wanted this Beacon award for our unit and for our staff because she appreciated how hard her staff worked. With that in mind, she quickly formed a BEACON award team. With some help from our sister unit, 4B, Ms. Lea, and her team completed this application in a timely fashion and submitted it on time.

Ms. Lea has 3 DAISY Nurses in 2023 and more to come. This is the true testament to the culture of empathy, skill, and dedication that defines the unit under her leadership. Ms. Lea also promotes healthy working relationships and increases staff satisfaction by organizing breakfast celebrations for the new NRP graduates and Preceptor recognitions.

Ms. Lea Salinas is an exemplary nurse manager who leads by example, and always thinks of her staff. She is an amazing role model, showing compassion and empathy towards patients and her nursing staff. Ms. Lea is not only our nurse manager, but our sister, our mentor, and our friend. Therefore, I would like to nominate my Nurse Manager, Ms. Lea Salinas, as a DAISY Nurse Leader. 

***

Though Lea is no longer my manager, she has been a true inspiration and role model for me. She has always encouraged me to pursue my goals and to complete my educational goals. There are so many other staff members she has encouraged to continue their educational goals and to continue nursing excellence. She exemplifies what being a leader is, and this was all seen during the pandemic. Her unit was a Covid unit and with her leadership, her staff was able to provide some of the best care possible during some of the most difficult times. She inspires her unit staff and others to be better and gives you the opportunity to learn and grow. She is compassionate and cares about the safety and well-being of her patients and staff. She has paved the way for so many and inspired so many future nurse leaders. She is the best example for the DAISY Leader Award. She has great nursing knowledge, excellent patient care, and embodies all the qualities of a great leader.

***

The MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit) nurse manager is an inspiring and dedicated leader with a remarkable journey in healthcare. Starting as a bedside nurse in the surgical intensive care unit, she gained a reputation for her commitment to patient care and her empathetic approach towards both patients and colleagues. Over the years, she pursued advanced education and training, earning her MSN in Nursing Leadership and certifications in critical care and leadership, which propelled her into the role of nurse manager. 

Mrs. Salinas’ leadership has a profound impact on the MICU staff she manages and the care provided in the unit. By consistently modeling compassion and exemplary practice, she sets a standard that fosters a culture of empathy and excellence. This nurse manager has cultivated an environment of trust, mutual respect, and ongoing professional development. She prioritizes open communication and encourages staff to voice their ideas and concerns, promoting a sense of ownership and engagement. This approach has not only improved teamwork and collaboration but has also resulted in increased staff satisfaction and retention.
The nurse manager’s visionary leadership and enthusiasm are contagious. She has effectively communicated a shared vision of achieving better patient outcomes and personal growth to her team. Her approachability and availability make her approachable for guidance and support, thereby creating an atmosphere where no question or challenge is too small. By nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, she empowers individuals and teams to make informed decisions and contribute to the unit’s success.

In addition to her internal impact, this nurse manager is a champion for promoting the image of nursing. Ms. Salinas consistently advocates for the profession within the organization, the community, and the larger healthcare landscape. Through participation in conferences, workshops, and community events, she highlights the vital role of nursing in patient care and healthcare leadership. This not only enhances the nursing profession’s reputation but also reinforces a sense of pride among the staff she leads.

In summary, this nurse manager is a beacon of leadership, compassion, and excellence. Her journey from a bedside nurse to manager exemplifies her dedication to patient care and continuous growth. By creating an environment founded on trust, respect, and professional development, she motivates her staff to embrace a shared vision of improved patient outcomes. Her approachable demeanor, commitment to critical thinking, and dedication to promoting nursing elevate not only the unit but also the entire nursing profession within the organization, the community, and the field of healthcare. Therefore, I am nominating Ms. Lea Salinas for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.

***

I nominate Ms. Lea Salinas, our Nurse Manager, for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Ms. Salinas excels in her role as a nurse manager and shines as a truly exceptional leader in every sense.

Ms. Salinas embodies the ideals of compassion and exemplary practice. Her journey began in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), where her dedication to patient care was evident. She then became a Supervising Staff Nurse on a Med-Surg Floor before ultimately assuming the position of Nurse Manager. She never lost sight of her compassion for patients, even as her responsibilities expanded.

One remarkable demonstration of her compassion occurred when she fulfilled a terminally ill patient’s final wish, a beautiful wedding between the patient and his girlfriend. Despite the patient’s dire prognosis, Ms. Salinas and her team organized a wedding on the same day the wish was made. She adhered to hospital policy and privacy regulations, liaising with various departments to transform the ICU room into a warm and inviting wedding venue. This touching event, witnessed by hospital staff, including physicians, social workers, and patient relations, showcased her team’s dedication to creating lasting memories for their patients.

Ms. Salinas extends her compassion not only to patients but also to her staff. She begins each day with a warm smile, greeting her team and offering a cheerful “Good Morning.” She visits patients in their rooms, assisting with applying lotion and repositioning them to prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). Before leaving for the day, she consistently expresses her gratitude and respect, setting an exemplary standard for mutual respect and good bedside manners among her staff.

In addition to her compassionate care for patients and staff, Ms. Salinas is attuned to the challenges frontline staff face, having started her career in their ranks, she recognizes the significance of effective communication between frontline staff and management and leads by example, supporting her Supervising Staff Nurses in advocating for the unit’s needs. Ensuring flexible scheduling and accommodation of childcare requests are always at the top of her priority list. During the challenging Covid-19 period, she addressed concerns about the shortage of ancillary staff by securing approval from upper management to provide additional support to the nursing team. She collaborates closely with the supply department to guarantee that her nurses have access to all necessary personal protective equipment. Her recognition of her nurses’ achievements is unwavering, and she consistently celebrates their successes with positive reinforcement.

Furthermore, Ms. Salinas creates an environment that promotes trust, compassion, mutual respect, continuous professional development, and ethical behavior. She actively encourages and supports her staff to pursue higher education, leading by example by obtaining her MSN while serving as a nurse manger and becoming a nationally certified Critical Care Nurse by AACN. Ms. Salinas leverages every opportunity for personal growth to enhance her leadership skills, ensuring she can better support her staff. Her encouragement has motivated many nurses to return to school for their BSN, MSN, and FNPs. She ensures her employees benefit from tuition assistance through the hospital’s tuition reimbursement program and offers flexible schedules and education time as needed. To highlight the exceptional care provided by her staff, she encourages them to take the CCRN exam to achieve national certification.

In pursuit of a healthy work environment, Ms. Salinas maintains open communication with her staff and listens attentively to their needs. She is always the first to know what her unit requires and does her utmost to fulfill those requests. Recently, when a seasonal staff member faced a family tragedy overseas, she immediately rearranged her staff member’s schedule, allowing her to fly abroad without the worry of work responsibilities. Her actions spoke volumes about her compassion for her employees. 

As a leader, Ms. Salinas motivates her staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm, inspiring them to achieve superior outcomes for themselves and their patients. She encourages evidence-based practices and actively involves her team in quality improvement initiatives. Under her guidance, her unit has achieved outstanding results, including zero CAUTIs, zero CLABSIs, zero falls since January 2023, and zero hospital-acquired pressure injuries in June, July, and August 2023.

Despite her numerous responsibilities, Ms. Salinas maintains an open-door policy, ensuring she is accessible to her staff 24/7. Even during overseas trips, she remains dedicated, promptly addressing emails and staff inquiries. Her level-headed approach makes her approachable on a personal level. Ms. Salinas empowers her staff to employ critical thinking skills to solve problems. During her absence, her unit continues to operate seamlessly, impressing upper management with its cleanliness and organization. This is a testament to the strong, trusting relationship she has built with her staff, motivating them to excel even in her absence. 

Ms. Salinas is available to her staff and extends her assistance to her nurse manager colleagues. As one of the first units to pilot ASTER, she has become a proficient user and readily aids her colleagues by phone or in person with navigating this complex system. Her commitment to teamwork is evident in her successful collaborations with management colleagues. She generously shares her time with new nurse managers, providing guidance and resources to help them succeed. 

Furthermore, Ms. Salinas actively promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, the community, and the profession. She values her staff’s opinions and promotes shared governance by involving them in decision-making processes. Under her leadership, her unit has achieved numerous accolades, including completing a 52-page Beacon application in August 2023 and three DAISY Award Honorees between January and August 2023. Her commitment extends beyond the unit to her active participation in community service, such as preparing and providing free meals to people experiencing homelessness during Thanksgiving and collecting toys and clothes for those in need.

This nomination only scratches the surface of Ms. Salinas’ contributions to her unit and staff during her five years of service in MICU 4A. Her actions speak volumes about her care for her team and patients, and her love for her unit is evident. With the utmost conviction, I nominate Ms. Lea Salinas to receive the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. She is undeniably deserving of this recognition. 

***

I nominate Lea Nimfa Salinas for this well-deserved award because she has not only been a great mentor to me but also because she has great leadership skills. Lea performs well under pressure, adapts well to new situations, and was a beacon of support to her staff during the black days of the pandemic. Lea’s positive attitude is contagious, and the nurses in her unit feel blessed to have her as not only our manager but as a friend. She is flexible with her staff, and I personally feel she makes the newer nurses feel welcomed and supported. Lea has excellent communication skills and I only wish I was a patient as she is. I believe that her clinical experience makes her uniquely qualified to recognize the challenges that ICU nurses face every day. I hope the nomination committee gives serious consideration to this deserving candidate. 

***

First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations Lea! Lea received multiple nominations from brand new nurses on her unit, from nurses who have been with her during the last five years that she has served as the nurse manager on 4A, to those she has mentored who are no longer under her direct leadership but are practicing as advanced practice nurses or have been promoted. 

Her 4A MICU nursing residents describe her as making their transition to practice nursing easier by removing barriers, providing an environment of learning, and being very supportive in helping reduce the anxiety and fear new nurses have. Her visibility in the unit, availability 24/7, and approachability to answer any concerns or questions are much appreciated. She is a hands-on nurse leader who helps with patient care when she sees they need help without being asked. 
Lea's staff describe her as a mentor who consistently goes above and beyond for the patients, staff, and the unit. Her team admires her for her compassion for patients and their families. Nominations cited the following as one of the many beautiful acts of kindness: coordinating the wedding of a dying patient to his lovely fiancé at the bedside before he passed away. "What Ms. Lea did for this patient will forever stay in the hearts of those who witnessed it."
Lea is also very in tune with what is going on with her nursing staff. She heard one of her nurses was going through tough times because of an ill family member. Lea quickly accommodated this nurse so she could spend the last special moments at her grandmother's side. 

Lea motivated her staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their patients. Lea is accessible, approachable, available, and responsive to the needs of her staff. Lea has excellent communication skills and patience. "She actively listens to our needs." She embodies the mission and vision of LA General. Lea promotes teamwork and accountability within the unit. She supports lifelong learning and actively supports initiatives such as the A-F bundle and TEAMSTEPPS to improve communication and patient outcomes. 
Lea leads by example, comes in early, or stays late to ensure issues are resolved and to have time with night shift staff. She is hands-on as an excellent ICU nurse and actively participates in patient rounds to assess patients with foleys, central lines, and high risk for HAPIs.  Nursing metrics on 4A MICU, such as CAUTI, CLABSI, and HAPIs, have impressively reduced under Lea's leadership. Because of Lea's outstanding leadership, staff stays, and 4A has one of the lowest staff turnover rates among the ICUs. 

Lea promotes healthy work relationships and staff satisfaction by organizing celebrations such as NRP graduations, preceptor recognitions, and breakfast celebrations for her staff that win the Daisy Award. Lea supports a welcoming environment by beginning her day with a warm smile, greeting her team, and offering a cheerful "Good Morning." Before leaving for the day, she consistently expresses her gratitude and respect, setting an exemplary standard for mutual respect and good bedside manners among her staff. Lea's positive attitude is contagious, and the nurses in her unit feel blessed to have her as their manager. She appreciates that staff have home responsibilities, as evident by the flexible staffing she supports. 

Lea performs well under pressure, adapts well to new situations, and is a beacon of support to her staff during the black days of the pandemic. She removes barriers and ensures that supplies needed for good patient care are available. 

Lea actively encourages her staff to pursue higher education and national certification. She empowers her team to employ critical thinking skills to solve problems. Lea values her staff's opinion and promotes shared governance. Lea included frontline staff in completing the 2023 Beacon award application. During her absence, her unit continues to operate seamlessly; this is a testament to the strong, trusting relationship she has built with her staff, motivating them to excel even in her absence. 

She is recognized as a mentor to new leaders and new nurse managers. She provided her expert advice and guidance as a seasoned NM. As part of the ASTER pilot units, she immersed herself in all things ASTER, becoming proficient, and readily shared her knowledge with her staff and other leaders. 

A nurse - who left 4A for a promotion- Lea is a true inspiration and role model. She always encouraged me and her staff to pursue their goals and to continue nursing excellence. Under her leadership, the 4A nursing staff provided some of the best care possible during the most challenging times, the COVID surge. She inspires her team and others to improve and allows you to learn and grow. She has great nursing knowledge, excellent patient care, and embodies all the qualities of a great leader. "It's inspiring to see an active leader who is supportive, encouraging, and an active participant of their team. It makes me want to be better for my patients as well as my team."

Furthermore, Lea is recognized for her community service work. She prepares and provides free meals to people experiencing homelessness during Holidays and collects toys and clothes for those in need. A wildfire fire displaced her and her family during her recent vacation in Maui. Instead of waiting in a shelter for a flight out, she and her family pitched in to help distribute water and food to rescuers and those in shelters. 

Lea- thank you for inspiring our nursing staff and me. You embody the qualities of a great leader. Your nominations are a testament to the caring culture you create and the support you provide your staff and patients. You have had a positive impact on many nurses throughout your career, be proud of that. Continue your compassionate, caring leadership, and Lea, all your goals will be achieved. Your outstanding dedication and leadership are much appreciated.
Congratulations AGAIN, Lea!!!!