Marcia Villar
August 2022
Marcia
Villar
,
BSN, RN
Community Living Center
Western NC VA Health Care System
Asheville
,
NC
United States
The care and attention to knowing names, personal history, family members, and military history show Ms. Villar’s personal care and demonstrate the relationship-building efforts that make long-term care more successful.
In keeping with the intent of the Award, I truly believe that Marcia Villar, RN does exemplify the characteristics identified as remarkable and impactful in the care of the recipient.
Ms. Villar has worked as a nurse for more than 25 years and a number of these years have been in the Community Living Center. It is clear in her words, her care, and her demonstration of commitment to the Veterans living in the CLC and proudly cared for by the staff, that Ms. Villar is a guiding force in all things CLC. She is seen as an energizer bunny and the constant motion, checks, and rechecks of those on the unit, is apparent and admirable.
The skill needed to wade through the complexities of long-term care regulations is intense. Her attention to detail with documentation, MDS completion, and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the resident of Long-Term care are indications of her aptitude and ability in the workplace. She is a clinical powerhouse. Though this portion of her work is stellar, the nomination stems from her commitment to providing quality care in a comfortable environment for each Veteran here. The sensitivity she displays in each Veteran encounter is touching.
Examples of her consistent approach to individualized and compassionate care include:
• the personal assistance provided to the vegetarian who sleeps late, wakes consistently several hours after the meal delivery to find his personally limited food choices cold. Recognizing that choice, routine, and some veteran control are therapeutically meaningful, Ms. Villar anticipates and understands his schedule and quickly warms his food
• gentle conversation about the day’s events combined with a manicure for a Veteran who worked in the raised beds in the courtyard
• addressing family members like they are her own, allaying the fears related to limited visitation and answering questions all while offering reassurance that their loved one is okay
• her requests to move a piano back to the unit to offer music to veterans, provide an opportunity for veterans to play and for staff members to engage more in music therapy with those interested, and
• the skillful navigation and redirection for the confused and occasionally irritated Veteran toward a different place and a safer situation.
The care and attention to knowing names, personal history, family members, and military history show Ms. Villar’s personal care and demonstrate the relationship-building efforts that make long-term care more successful. What others seem to forget, is the nursing staff are often as benefitted by this approach to care as the Veterans are.
I have mentioned the much-appreciated and skilled care that Ms. Villar demonstrates each day and during each minute that she works with her Veteran family, but there is also a commitment to her nursing team and to the facility. She proudly speaks of her work family, readily helps others in care, and provides encouragement to staff. The inclusion folds in members of all services and involves direct, but congenial and collaborative conversations. She busies around the unit straightening, tidying, moving items, checking expiration dates, and moving beverages to the “Hydration Stations” all to make the environment safe and secure. The eye always toward environmental safety is much appreciated. The teamwork exhibited by Ms. Villar is something that we all are aware of and admire. Teamwork is also best if accompanied by a smile and a sense of positivity. Both features are seen in Ms. Villar. Her absolute commitment to staffing numbers, staffing and Veteran advocacy, and unit needs are examples of her stamina and determination needed for the best outcome for each Veteran.
In summary, yesterday at an emotional memorial service in CLC, Ms. Villar quietly attended a Veteran as he pushed a rollator up a slightly muddy incline so that he could pay his respects through song to those departed from CLC. During the ceremony, she had a watchful eye on a wandering Veteran and quickly assisted in directing him and assisting a co-worker to get him to a better place- this was done without interruption to the service and was done in an apparent non-rushed or hasty, or disruptive manner. This type of approach, one really of worry and concern, is always completed in a calm, timely, and professional manner and aimed at the minimal alteration of therapeutic flow.
Ms. Villar is such a solid clinical nurse, one who understands and demonstrates the integrity that we all should have and one who incorporates her empathetic and educated approach to those in our long-term care unit. She is the picture of a DAISY Nurse.
Ms. Villar has worked as a nurse for more than 25 years and a number of these years have been in the Community Living Center. It is clear in her words, her care, and her demonstration of commitment to the Veterans living in the CLC and proudly cared for by the staff, that Ms. Villar is a guiding force in all things CLC. She is seen as an energizer bunny and the constant motion, checks, and rechecks of those on the unit, is apparent and admirable.
The skill needed to wade through the complexities of long-term care regulations is intense. Her attention to detail with documentation, MDS completion, and understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the resident of Long-Term care are indications of her aptitude and ability in the workplace. She is a clinical powerhouse. Though this portion of her work is stellar, the nomination stems from her commitment to providing quality care in a comfortable environment for each Veteran here. The sensitivity she displays in each Veteran encounter is touching.
Examples of her consistent approach to individualized and compassionate care include:
• the personal assistance provided to the vegetarian who sleeps late, wakes consistently several hours after the meal delivery to find his personally limited food choices cold. Recognizing that choice, routine, and some veteran control are therapeutically meaningful, Ms. Villar anticipates and understands his schedule and quickly warms his food
• gentle conversation about the day’s events combined with a manicure for a Veteran who worked in the raised beds in the courtyard
• addressing family members like they are her own, allaying the fears related to limited visitation and answering questions all while offering reassurance that their loved one is okay
• her requests to move a piano back to the unit to offer music to veterans, provide an opportunity for veterans to play and for staff members to engage more in music therapy with those interested, and
• the skillful navigation and redirection for the confused and occasionally irritated Veteran toward a different place and a safer situation.
The care and attention to knowing names, personal history, family members, and military history show Ms. Villar’s personal care and demonstrate the relationship-building efforts that make long-term care more successful. What others seem to forget, is the nursing staff are often as benefitted by this approach to care as the Veterans are.
I have mentioned the much-appreciated and skilled care that Ms. Villar demonstrates each day and during each minute that she works with her Veteran family, but there is also a commitment to her nursing team and to the facility. She proudly speaks of her work family, readily helps others in care, and provides encouragement to staff. The inclusion folds in members of all services and involves direct, but congenial and collaborative conversations. She busies around the unit straightening, tidying, moving items, checking expiration dates, and moving beverages to the “Hydration Stations” all to make the environment safe and secure. The eye always toward environmental safety is much appreciated. The teamwork exhibited by Ms. Villar is something that we all are aware of and admire. Teamwork is also best if accompanied by a smile and a sense of positivity. Both features are seen in Ms. Villar. Her absolute commitment to staffing numbers, staffing and Veteran advocacy, and unit needs are examples of her stamina and determination needed for the best outcome for each Veteran.
In summary, yesterday at an emotional memorial service in CLC, Ms. Villar quietly attended a Veteran as he pushed a rollator up a slightly muddy incline so that he could pay his respects through song to those departed from CLC. During the ceremony, she had a watchful eye on a wandering Veteran and quickly assisted in directing him and assisting a co-worker to get him to a better place- this was done without interruption to the service and was done in an apparent non-rushed or hasty, or disruptive manner. This type of approach, one really of worry and concern, is always completed in a calm, timely, and professional manner and aimed at the minimal alteration of therapeutic flow.
Ms. Villar is such a solid clinical nurse, one who understands and demonstrates the integrity that we all should have and one who incorporates her empathetic and educated approach to those in our long-term care unit. She is the picture of a DAISY Nurse.