Working here for the past decade has given me the opportunity to work with wonderful people I have come to admire. One of these so-called heroes is Nina Pascua. She is the Little Miss Sunshine on the Unit. She always comes to work with a smile and is ready to tackle the shift no matter how busy or stressful it is. I have learned a lot from her when she was working bedside and even now as charge, she continues to share her knowledge to both senior and new grad nurses. She is always willing to help. She has always strived to advocate for the patients on the unit and goes above and beyond to get them the care they need.

So many instances to mention her compassion and kindness, and not to mention her skills. When we were still at the vintage hospital, I noticed a visitor approaching multiple staff asking for help but was turned down. He then approached Nina and said she was his nurse before and that he needed help. He was visiting his friend, and his ostomy pouch came loose, and he didn’t have a spare. You could see the dread on his face as he said this. Nina provided him with a spare appliance, which meant everything to him. He was able to change his ostomy appliance and thanked Nina for helping him when no one else did.

Being one of the first nurses who got Covid on the unit before the vaccines were even available has caused a strain on her health. She is unable to care for patients who require her to wear an N95 mask because of SOB. This, however, hasn’t stopped her. When no one could place an IV on a TB pt (VAT not available), she donned that mask and successfully placed an IV.

On multiple occasions, whenever I have a patient who is declining, she is always there to help care for the patient. She is the EKG tech, the phlebotomist, the RT, the VAT, and sometimes even the MD when we have new residents onboard, and they listen to her suggestions. She is a rapid response team all rolled into one. It is amazing the amount of knowledge and skills she possesses, and this makes me admire her even more. It is also because of her that I have found enjoyment in caring for difficult ostomies. The relief and pride we get when we have successfully managed to pouch a stoma when not everyone can, is somehow a win for not only the patient but for us as well. Her tenacity to successfully start IVs is also a bonus.

She is a Godsend not only to the patients but to her team as well. I am very grateful to have met her and to have become friends. Having a compassionate, hardworking, smart, and kind nurse on your team is always a cherry on top, especially when working on a difficult floor.