Citlali Lima
May 2025
Citlali
Lima
,
RN
Labor & Delivery
Adventist Health White Memorial
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States
Citlali has cultivated a culture of support and togetherness.
Working night shifts has always brought unique challenges. The pace is different, resources are limited, and often, it's during the quiet hours that the hardest moments unfold. In our unit, one of the greatest difficulties has been the loss of experienced night shift charge nurses. A few years ago, we found ourselves with an enthusiastic, intelligent, and deeply compassionate group of newer nurses—but without a seasoned leader to guide them through the night.
While our night team lacked experience, they were never lacking in talent. They were some of the most devoted and skilled nurses you could meet. Still, experience breeds confidence, and without a guiding presence, feelings of uncertainty were only natural. The absence of an experienced charge nurse left many feeling unsupported during some of the most demanding hours of the day. That was until Citlali stepped up.
From her very first days on the unit, Citlali stood out—not just for her clinical skill, but for her kindness, empathy, and unwavering commitment to her patients and peers. She was the kind of nurse every patient hoped for and every colleague admired. Naturally, when the time came to ask someone to take on the relief nurse lead role, she was the one we thought of. Citlali was hesitant at first. She humbly questioned whether she was ready. But in true leader fashion, she accepted the challenge—not out of pride, but out of a genuine desire to support her team.
Since taking on the role, the change has been remarkable. Where there were once feelings of isolation, Citlali has cultivated a culture of support and togetherness. She’s never shied away from patient care—in fact, she leads by example, always hands-on, always present. She makes meaningful connections with every patient, treating each one with dignity, respect, and sincere compassion. Her nurturing presence hasn’t gone unnoticed. She is regularly recognized by patients and staff alike, not only for her exceptional care but also for the way she makes people feel safe and valued.
Under her leadership, nurses have begun to regain their confidence. The unit feels more cohesive, more confident, and more resilient. Citlali didn’t just fill a leadership vacancy—she transformed the night shift into a space of warmth, support, and growth. She embodies everything a nurse leader should be: compassionate, courageous, humble, and committed to lifting others up.
***
Citlali is an exceptional leader who truly knows how to bring out the best in her team. As a night shift nurse lead, she operates in a uniquely challenging environment, often with fewer resources and less immediate support than during the day. Yet, she navigates those challenges with confidence, strength, and grace. Leading a team during high-pressure situations at night takes a special kind of skill, and Citlali has it. She remains calm under pressure, makes smart decisions, and ensures her team feels supported every step of the way.
One example of her leadership that stands out is a recent situation involving a high-risk patient with a shoulder dystocia. Citlali took charge and guided her team through the complexity of care, ultimately contributing to a positive patient outcome. During the debrief, she reflected not on her individual efforts, but on the strength of the team as a whole—humbly sharing the credit and lifting others up. That humility, paired with her clear leadership, shows exactly why she’s so respected.
Beyond the clinical floor, Citlali goes out of her way to build connections and camaraderie among her colleagues. Whether it's organizing a Dodger game outing or simply making sure new nurses feel welcomed and supported, she creates a sense of community that makes the night shift feel like family. She invests time in helping others grow, always encouraging, mentoring, and offering guidance without hesitation. It takes a lot to lead a team at night, and Citlali does it with heart, skill, and unwavering dedication. She is more than just a nurse lead, she’s a force for good, a role model, and a leader who lifts others and makes a lasting impact every single shift - Josie Perez, Nurse Manager
While our night team lacked experience, they were never lacking in talent. They were some of the most devoted and skilled nurses you could meet. Still, experience breeds confidence, and without a guiding presence, feelings of uncertainty were only natural. The absence of an experienced charge nurse left many feeling unsupported during some of the most demanding hours of the day. That was until Citlali stepped up.
From her very first days on the unit, Citlali stood out—not just for her clinical skill, but for her kindness, empathy, and unwavering commitment to her patients and peers. She was the kind of nurse every patient hoped for and every colleague admired. Naturally, when the time came to ask someone to take on the relief nurse lead role, she was the one we thought of. Citlali was hesitant at first. She humbly questioned whether she was ready. But in true leader fashion, she accepted the challenge—not out of pride, but out of a genuine desire to support her team.
Since taking on the role, the change has been remarkable. Where there were once feelings of isolation, Citlali has cultivated a culture of support and togetherness. She’s never shied away from patient care—in fact, she leads by example, always hands-on, always present. She makes meaningful connections with every patient, treating each one with dignity, respect, and sincere compassion. Her nurturing presence hasn’t gone unnoticed. She is regularly recognized by patients and staff alike, not only for her exceptional care but also for the way she makes people feel safe and valued.
Under her leadership, nurses have begun to regain their confidence. The unit feels more cohesive, more confident, and more resilient. Citlali didn’t just fill a leadership vacancy—she transformed the night shift into a space of warmth, support, and growth. She embodies everything a nurse leader should be: compassionate, courageous, humble, and committed to lifting others up.
***
Citlali is an exceptional leader who truly knows how to bring out the best in her team. As a night shift nurse lead, she operates in a uniquely challenging environment, often with fewer resources and less immediate support than during the day. Yet, she navigates those challenges with confidence, strength, and grace. Leading a team during high-pressure situations at night takes a special kind of skill, and Citlali has it. She remains calm under pressure, makes smart decisions, and ensures her team feels supported every step of the way.
One example of her leadership that stands out is a recent situation involving a high-risk patient with a shoulder dystocia. Citlali took charge and guided her team through the complexity of care, ultimately contributing to a positive patient outcome. During the debrief, she reflected not on her individual efforts, but on the strength of the team as a whole—humbly sharing the credit and lifting others up. That humility, paired with her clear leadership, shows exactly why she’s so respected.
Beyond the clinical floor, Citlali goes out of her way to build connections and camaraderie among her colleagues. Whether it's organizing a Dodger game outing or simply making sure new nurses feel welcomed and supported, she creates a sense of community that makes the night shift feel like family. She invests time in helping others grow, always encouraging, mentoring, and offering guidance without hesitation. It takes a lot to lead a team at night, and Citlali does it with heart, skill, and unwavering dedication. She is more than just a nurse lead, she’s a force for good, a role model, and a leader who lifts others and makes a lasting impact every single shift - Josie Perez, Nurse Manager