Gina joins the list of amazing nurses, whose practice is renowned not only for outstanding clinical skills but especially for the special personal acts of kindness and compassion provided for Veterans and their families. Gina recognized that valuable nursing time is spent searching, retrieving and preparing medications. Frequently, off-tour nursing staff performs a seek and find obtaining pharmacologic supplies to administer the medication for Veterans who are admitted during "non-business hours". Gina identified the need to improve medication availability during the off tours where staffing is minimal. She led a team in streamlining the process. Now nursing minutes and hours are diverted from running around searching for pharmacologic items required to care for Veterans allowing nurses to focus on more significant responsibilities.
Gina also identified patient safety gaps strictly related to night shift processes and essential to Veteran care. She recognized that essential emergent resources were not available on one of the new behavioral health rehabilitation units. Because of her actions, these resources are now available ensuring the continued delivery of safe and timely care to Veterans.
Gina's contribution emulates the VA ICARE motto: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. This is just one example of how Erie VA Medical Center nurses make Veterans' lives better!