March 2023
Lucy
Torres
,
MSN, PMH-BC
Adult Mental Health Unit
Inspira Health
Bridgeton
,
NJ
United States
Lucy’s leadership has definitely led to positive staff and patient outcomes. She leads by example and encourages staff to do the same.
When Lucy became manager of the Adult Mental Health Unit, our unit was in turmoil. Lucy created a positive work environment with an open-door policy. She encouraged staff to work on our differences and become a more cohesive unit. She promotes the positive image of mental health nursing within Inspira Health Network. She encourages nurses and staff to engage in IHN councils to promote a more positive attitude toward mental health. Currently, Research Council, UBPC, system-wide practice council, coordinating council, informatics, and restraints are represented. Our unit is so well run now that we have completed several research projects (IRB approved) and have won the Betty Neuman and Research Council award twice! Lucy cares for her staff and encourages us to go above and beyond, creating a better workplace environment for nurses and staff. Lucy cares about our staff's safety. Our unit was the first to receive the Strongline Alert Badges which alert Security Central Command immediately when staff alert for dangerous activity on our unit. Lucy’s leadership has definitely led to positive staff and patient outcomes. She leads by example and encourages staff to do the same. We now have a Zen Den (with state-of-the-art Shiatsu massage/reclining chair), coffee bar, belongings bins, daily huddles, birthday recognitions, holiday events, and give back to the community such as the M25 initiative where staff moved a mental health patient into a new apartment and donated housewares. We participated in delivering Thanksgiving dinner to the elderly, out of the darkness walk, Macy’s closet (donated clothes for our patients), and the daily prize cart to encourage group participation. The list goes on!