Maria
Lee
May 2024
Maria
Lee
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
Adventist Health White Memorial
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

Maria is always helpful and thinks of others. When I am teaching or have a large-scale event, Maria just shows up to see if I am ok, and I truly appreciate her kindness.
Maria led the onboarding process in her assigned departments (T3 nurses) and beyond, including House Supervisors, Wound Care Nurses, Dialysis Nurses, and Techs, and even non-clinical areas. Onboarding continued for day and night shift in weeks taking a 47-mile drive one way to Montebello during the week and even during weekends night and day just to ensure that she provides the associates the education they needed.

Maria showed up again to support our MB associates. During this EMR transition, she juggles providing the education needs between the LA and MB campuses (New Associate Orientation, Traveler orientation, Just In Time education, TJC readiness on associate file review, and providing one-on-one education for associates coming back from LOA or associates who are on remediation process). She makes rounds in the units, listens to the concerns and workflow questions from the associates, provides Just In Time education, and brainstorms ideas with other leaders to promote a safe and supportive learning environment. In response to the daily inquiries of staff on the Cerner application, she developed a Quick Reference Guide for nurses as a handy tool while the nurses are navigating the new system. She empathizes with them and this is proven when nurses will be looking and asking for her to be present in the unit. I received multiple verbal recognitions from leaders on her compassionate and caring ways she demonstrates.

She is a role model for lifelong learning by striving for excellence and pushing herself to limitless opportunities - she became an Empathy Trainer and TEAMS-Workplace Violence Prevention Instructor. In addition, she maintains her specialty certification as a Critical Care RN (CCRN) and above all relentlessly striving to finish her Master's Program in June.

Maria was at the MB campus before 6 am to prepare for the transition day, including checking printers, Just In Time education content ready, ensuring that EKG strip mount forms were available, and being with the GE representative, to name a few. Upon assessing the rhythm strip printing process, she noticed that something must be clarified. She called my attention and suggested that stakeholders meet to discuss the next steps. Two urgent leadership meetings were held prior to going live, and by doing so, the transition went smoother, questions were answered, and the associates had a clear process to follow. She listens, analyzes, provides solutions, and closes the loop timely. She establishes clear outcomes, provides constructive feedback, and not only offers solutions but is also part of the solution.

In all of this, she builds collaborative working relationships with other leaders inside and outside of the organization. Maria values hard work, possesses high level of integrity and professionalism, very flexible, resilient and adaptable, willing to help, never complains, a team player, a very intelligent nurse educator, and passionate for excellence. She is my Rock Star!

***

Maria has shown 110% commitment to improving practice and advancing patient care at the Montebello Campus. She led the charge in creating the education plan for the Telemetry unit at the time of the Adventist transition and then when the Med/Surg unit opened. She was instrumental in identifying subject matter experts at the Montebello campus in order to utilize the existing expertise there and merge our processes to get the existing staff educated and integrate the contract staffing. This required her to identify key stakeholders and build relationships in order to secure the necessary resources for her staff. She was one of the friendly faces of Adventists there at midnight and continues to be. She has made herself available to provide education to the staff on both day and night shifts and on weekends. Most recently, Maria was on the floor to support staff and assist them with the transition to Cerner and Pyxis. She was there the first weekend on both shifts. She is an asset to the community she serves.

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Maria is an exceptional educator. She goes above and beyond. She educates the staff in a manner they understand. She is always seeking new information and educating staff. She always has a smile even though she might be stressed. She is also in charge of Montebello education, and the staff knows her and always asks her for help.

***

Maria is supportive of both her unit managers and unit associates. During the Montebello acquisition, she worked tirelessly to ensure that every associate was provided initial regulatory education in a timely manner. She was able to manage through change and make critical decisions that impacted patient education in a professional and calm manner. Her leadership in the units is like no other. She has shown a true passion for the nursing profession and that of providing evidence-based education.

***

Maria Lee is new to our organization and has brought fresh energy and knowledge to our team. Maria takes pride in her work and has a soft spot for newly licensed nurses. One of my RN Residents was struggling with the transition from student nurse to bedside nurse, and Maria created opportunities for her to have 1:1 sessions with her to help her connect the dots. Maria rounds the RN Residents and provides real-time feedback back, which the RN Residents appreciate.

On another occasion, Maria discovered one of my RN Residents was struggling due to family issues, and she wasn't taking care of herself. Maria had the idea to gift the RN Resident a care package for her care so she could have items for self-care available. Maria is always helpful and thinks of others. When I am teaching or have a large-scale event, Maria just shows up to see if I am ok, and I truly appreciate her kindness.