Chinonye is one of the best nurses I have ever met. She excels in all areas of her practice through professionalism, teamwork, ownership and compassion. Chinonye is a Clinical Nurse IV who not only provides excellent care to our families and patients, but to those in the community through multiple community projects. As a core charge nurse, I will often see Chinonye helping her peers in ways that I would never expect. I often joke that she is the clinical assistant for the day because she will provide patients with baths, weigh, settle or just help a family when the bedside nurse is unable. Her bedside manner is exceptional.
Chinonye is probably one of the most hands-on charge nurses on the unit. Chinonye is often searching out opportunities to provide even more exceptional care. In 2015, Chinonye and one of our Associate Clinical Managers completed a project on fall education and prevention, specifically targeted to the Epilepsy Monitoring patient population. This is just one of example of the ways that Chinonye strives to promote safe, quality care to our patients.
As a core charge, Chinonye does not often take patients, but I can tell you that when the opportunity arises, Chinonye will always volunteer to move to the bedside. Chinonye possesses exceptional service recovery skills and is able to deescalate upset families or social situations. Her own calm demeanor is the perfect example of how one should be when placed in these situations. One of Chinonye's peers recognized her in an A Mile Above stating, "I just wanted to say that you do a great job day in and day out whenever you come to work. You never have an "off" day and you go above and beyond to help patients, families, nurses, therapist, doctors, anyone you encounter. You are a support to everyone and so valuable to the 6th floor staff. You take pride in your work whether you're being a bedside nurse or in the charge roll. You complete all your tasks and find a way to make someone's day. You're amazing! You truly are a pleasure to work with."
Chinonye always goes the extra mile, "Chinonye spent quite a bit of time on Saturday providing over the phone consultation with a spine fusion patient who had been discharged the day before. MOC was very anxious about her daughter's medication schedule and Chinonye helped her come up with a new, safe schedule. MOC called her "an Angel" for all the calm advice she provided when she was panicked. Thanks Chinonye!" I never hesitate for a moment when I see Chinonye at the bedside or in charge. She will always put her patients and peers before herself and is an example to all those around her.
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Chinonye demonstrates caring and compassion to every patient and family she cares for, and also the nurses she supports as a charge nurse. Her humble expertise for the many surgical sub-specialties on level 6 does not go unnoticed. Her willingness and desire to forge ahead and help a CA with vitals, help a patient to the restroom, or help the Nurse give rescue medications during a seizure. Chinonye does not hesitate to help anyone regardless of the task, but then accepts no credit for the help she provided. Instead she thanks the Nurse or the CA for allowing her to help. She is always looking for ways to ensure our patients, and families feel valued and listened to, we often have patients and families return just to see Chinonye. The trust Chinonye instills during her care is something people cannot forget. Her outstanding positive attitude during a difficult shift does not wavier. She has an ability to smile and head into the next difficult conversation, upset family member and provide outstanding customer service and ensure that family member is getting what they need. She has a way about her that makes everyone comfortable and creates an atmosphere of trust when she is around. I often hear "If Chinonye is in charge we know it's going to be a good day."
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Chinonye is an exceptional nurse that utilizes her great clinical skills and unwavering kindness to provide excellent care to her patients and their families. The compassion and dedication she has for this organization and the families we serve is evident in the way she interacts with each and every patient and family she cares for. She has a great amount of patience and compassion as she spends countless hours listening to the needs of her patients and truly making them feel that they are her highest priority. She is a strong advocate and effectively collaborates with all members of the care team to ensure her patients and families are receiving the best care possible. Chinonye is a great resource for her peers. Her expert knowledge with the seizure monitoring patients has made her a successful liaison for the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, educator for the nursing staff, and excellent care provider to her patients. She participates in quality improvement projects with the goal of optimizing patient outcomes. She utilizes her communication skills and passion for the nursing profession in her work as a preceptor for nursing students and newly hired nurses. She has frequently taken on high acuity patients with challenging social situations. She remains positive, objective, and remarkably professional. She develops strong relationships with her patients and their families. Patients often ask for Chinonye to be their nurse and seek her out on the unit. Hearing the kids call for her as the wheel down the hall in their wheelchairs, brings joy to my heart knowing what a great impact she has made in the lives of so many of our families. No matter how busy she is, she always takes the time to stop and interact with the patients and they're precious faces light up when they see her. It is obviously to me that the patients and families can see how much Chinonye genuinely cares for them. They adore and appreciate her, as do I. Chinonye is also an excellent charge nurse. She responds promptly and professionally as she provides LEAD recovery to families and role models the CHCO Standards of Behavior. She directly addresses challenging social situations and dilemmas that arise during her shift, as well as escalating concerns to the leadership team appropriately. She goes over and beyond to support the staff and provide excellent customer service to our families. Chinonye is valued and loved by all who have the pleasure of working with her. I believe she deserves to be recognized for the exceptional nurse and person she is.