Maria has the patience of a saint. I have seen her take care of the most difficult patients and she always treats them with respect and kindness. I vividly remember watching Maria in action when a very difficult patient (sadly, a meth and heroin addict) was causing a disturbance in the hall and trying to leave the ward. The patient started yelling and Maria attended to her immediately. The patient tried to slap Maria and yelled several foul curses. Throughout this, Maria remained calm and helped re-direct the patient and helped her back to her room. All the while, Maria treated the patient with respect and kindness. Maria was quick to help ensure the patient was discharged to an appropriate facility to help the patient recover from her addictions and displayed poise, excellent communication and teamwork in the difficult discharge placement process.

I have noticed from working on 5N over the past 2.5 years that Maria often deals with the most challenging patients that are angry, mad or even combative and she always has the ability to provide excellent care and keep the patients calm. Maria works so well with the whole 5N team and I see the other nurses' admiration and respect for her hard and good work on a daily basis. Maria is always taking great care of her patients as the 5N Charge Nurse while being a leader for the nursing staff.