Benita Grijalva-Sanchez
February 2016
Benita
Grijalva-Sanchez
,
RN
Progressive Care Unit - Cardiac, Heart Hospital of New Mexico
Lovelace Medical Center
Albuquerque
,
NM
United States
Benita is the frequent recipient of patient and family compliments and is a health care hero. The family member who nominated Benita for the award stated…
"Benita is very professional and knowledgeable. The service she provided was second to none. Benita was very patient with my 93-year-old mother and was very caring and compassionate. She constantly asked if there was anything she could do to help."
Here is Benita's background…
While caring for her sister who lost her life to leukemia at the age of 34, Benita was called to the nursing profession. She was touched by the compassionate care and kindness provided to her sister by the nurses during her hospitalization. Benita moved from Mexico to New Mexico speaking and understanding Spanish only. She finished raising her children, learned the English language and started working as a certified Nurse Assistant.
Benita worked in this profession for five years while going to school to become a nurse. Since graduating, she has held positions in the ED, ICU and for the past four years, has worked in cardiac care. Benita uses the lessons learned from the nurses who cared for her sister so many years ago in her role as a nurse today, working together with her fellow nurses to always provide the best quality care possible with caring and compassion.
Benita is outspoken with her peers about her love for her job and firm belief in excellent care, inspiring and motivating her team. She sets the tone on her unit, displaying an excellent work ethic, and is always busy. Benita counsels new grads who can easily become flustered by the fast pace of the unit reminding them " the grass isn't greener elsewhere", letting them know why she are willing to drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque every shift to work at this hospital.
In her spare time, Benita is an active member as a nurse for Somos un Pueblo Unido. In this role, she works to help immigrants find health insurance, administers vaccinations and assists them with other health care needs. Benita also works with Girls on the Run in Santa Fe. In addition to this, she volunteers at her church offering vaccinations, health screenings, and assisting those who have been or may become hospitalized. Benita cares for her mother in her own home, and teaches third and fourth grades. Benita encompasses the essence of nursing whether at work or while volunteering.
"Benita is very professional and knowledgeable. The service she provided was second to none. Benita was very patient with my 93-year-old mother and was very caring and compassionate. She constantly asked if there was anything she could do to help."
Here is Benita's background…
While caring for her sister who lost her life to leukemia at the age of 34, Benita was called to the nursing profession. She was touched by the compassionate care and kindness provided to her sister by the nurses during her hospitalization. Benita moved from Mexico to New Mexico speaking and understanding Spanish only. She finished raising her children, learned the English language and started working as a certified Nurse Assistant.
Benita worked in this profession for five years while going to school to become a nurse. Since graduating, she has held positions in the ED, ICU and for the past four years, has worked in cardiac care. Benita uses the lessons learned from the nurses who cared for her sister so many years ago in her role as a nurse today, working together with her fellow nurses to always provide the best quality care possible with caring and compassion.
Benita is outspoken with her peers about her love for her job and firm belief in excellent care, inspiring and motivating her team. She sets the tone on her unit, displaying an excellent work ethic, and is always busy. Benita counsels new grads who can easily become flustered by the fast pace of the unit reminding them " the grass isn't greener elsewhere", letting them know why she are willing to drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque every shift to work at this hospital.
In her spare time, Benita is an active member as a nurse for Somos un Pueblo Unido. In this role, she works to help immigrants find health insurance, administers vaccinations and assists them with other health care needs. Benita also works with Girls on the Run in Santa Fe. In addition to this, she volunteers at her church offering vaccinations, health screenings, and assisting those who have been or may become hospitalized. Benita cares for her mother in her own home, and teaches third and fourth grades. Benita encompasses the essence of nursing whether at work or while volunteering.