Stella Justiniani joined the Florida Hospital family as a traveler in 2001 working in both multisystem and Cardiovascular Progressive care areas. After signing on as full time staff she has functioned in many important roles such as preceptor, a member of the Nursing Practice Council and relief charge nurse. Most recently she had dedicated her practice to the growth and nurturing of our critical care nurse interns. Referred to as small, but VERY mighty, this role model is extremely thorough and maintains a high degree of expectation of her interns. She labors tirelessly as she guides them toward meeting the requirements of safe and high quality patient care. The management and educational teams have the utmost of confidence that her interns/students will emerge ready to take on the challenges of our busy, high acuity progressive care unit.
One of our new GN’s stated “Stella always prepared me for taking patients on my own. She encouraged me to find my own answers and always challenged me to critically think for the safety of our patients. I feel very fortunate to have had her as a preceptor; she truly is an inspiration to all of our team members. Nursing school gave me the knowledge I needed and she taught me how to put it into practice and for that I am forever grateful”.
In the process of leading her interns down this educational path, this particularly innovative staff nurse develops and incorporates learning tools through her own interactive power points, case studies, and has even created a version of CCNIP Jeopardy!
Stella’s amazing creativity is also exhibited through a photo book depicting the growth of our unit through the years. This photo journey tells the story of our unit and is being looked at as a strong recruitment tool to be deployed on our website. Our hospital family also enjoys the fruits of yet another of Stella’s talents as a gourmet chef and graduate of the Orlando Culinary Academy. It is no wonder pot lucks and celebrations are scheduled on the days that she is working.
Another GN said it well “ I have Stella to thank for making me the Nurse I am today. They say you never forget your first preceptor and I know I will never forget her”. She gives her heart and soul everyday to this wonderful profession and the quality and safety she provides to our patients is exceptional.
She organizes staff luncheons, bakes for staff that are in need or have had an ill family member at home. She created a video of the staff to recognize them for their hard work and wonderful gifts they give to the team.