I would like to recognize Justine Silberberg, Rhonda Serrette, Nekia Embry, Claire Crimmins, Alesha Hanna, and Tameka Bowie. Since the new and improved FY 21-22 PLAN Advancement, many nurses, supportive personnel, and leaders have gone above and beyond to ensure the safe delivery of care and employee safety measures. However, when Justine Silberberg took the initiative, she contacted me to help her and her team create an orientation plan that would lead to patient safety and nurse retention.

Justine had a positive attitude and approach to leading her staff, significantly impacting their patients' care and the nursing department staff's well-being. This impact affected me as a nurse, personally. Not having a structured orientation plan, the staff was worried and looking for solutions from their Unit Director. Justine acted instantly and, together with her co-workers, helped create a successful orientation for the endo department. This meant mobilization at many levels, from supplies to the workforce. They made a big difference by having the intuition of what was coming, what was needed, and how to help the newly hired nurses and managers feel supported while reassuring them as best as possible.

Justine, Rhonda, Nekia, and Claire's encouraging presence and exceptional leadership abilities allowed the new nurses to feel safe, have resources readily available, and reassure us that what we were practicing, we were already doing every day. Recently hired nurse manager Tameka Bowie, being new to the department, jumped right in, and her trustworthy leadership showed the team that we are all in this together. Justine, Rhonda, Nekia, and Claire mentored the nursing staff team and provided safety and education while letting everyone know we were never alone in nursing. The orientation planning team was always cheerful and optimistic.

This group of nurses stands out as a daily source of strength, kindness, thoughtfulness, safety, quality, and reassurance as they lead our nursing staff. Because of this team's commitment, all of the nurses have advanced on the PLAN, and even the newest nurse, Alesha Hanna, who was trained with the new orientation plan, is now preparing to advance!