Alicja Kijak takes on the charge nurse role frequently and keeps the unit organized and in order. She takes on some of the most difficult days but keeps the unit calm. I am glad when Alicja is here. I can count on her in any situation. She is a great team member to work with. All staff can call on Alicja at any time for help. When she is needed to take a patient assignment she gets to work, balancing all her duties. She asks, "what can I do?" always willing to take on more.
There are times patients are coming to the unit before discharges and to help the team Alicja takes patients until nurses can help. The HOA/bed placement staff are sending me thanks for her teamwork in placing patients and working to make sure the patients are getting to the unit without delays.
Alicja has consistently been a team player since I began the role of Nurse Intake/Bed Coordinator. She is organized in how she runs the unit when she is in charge and always has a plan when things get overwhelming. I know that my day will go more smoothly when Alicja is working, which is the definition of a great leader!
A patient asked her to send in her supervisor. When I arrived the patient explained, "She is an excellent nurse. I could tell as soon as we walked in the door. She explained what was going to happen to keep me informed."
During this pandemic, Alicja volunteered to be pulled for a co-worker who didn't want to take on the new assignment. She signed up for many extras willingly. Alicja's usual shift is the day shift, but she was asked to work the night shift as the Covid Unit needed help, and she worked many night shifts. Thanks, Alicja, for ALL you do!