December 2025
Ana
Gutierrez
,
RN
11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Loma Linda
,
CA
United States
She always answered his questions, was still kind and patient, gave him his pain meds on time, and took extra time to just listen to him when he needed to vent or talk about his childhood, which had been rough.
I want to nominate this nurse because she is such a huge help to our floor. Anytime you need help with a lab draw, PIV, foley, NGT placed, or an SNF packet, she is there for you and gets it done.
Recently, we have had some challenges on our unit with 2 specific patients in mind. The first one was quite challenging and difficult to work with, and interrogated nurses. He had a lack of trust in almost everyone. Despite this challenge, Ana would agree to take the patient back the next day when she worked consecutively and even agreed to take him on days when others needed a mental break from him. This patient may have trusted almost no one in his life, but he developed a sense of trust with Ana. Ana set clear boundaries with the patient, respected him, and was professional with him. She always answered his questions, was still kind and patient, gave him his pain meds on time, and took extra time to just listen to him when he needed to vent or talk about his childhood, which had been rough. Her being compassionate allowed the patient to drop his guard at times, be respectful back, and develop professional trust with her.
The second patient was a challenge because he was autistic, and he listened to no one. He would spit at staff, hit/bite staff, and attempt to jump on the recliner chair in the patient's room. When Ana worked, she worked very well with him and would redirect him safely back to bed. She used great distraction techniques, and he liked counting with her. The patient developed trust with Ana as his caregiver, and on most days, he would listen to her. After a couple of weeks of medication adjustments and being on restraints, Ana discontinued the restraints and allowed him to walk down the hall of the unit. This patient was so happy walking down the hall. He smiled the whole time, doing a little skip and hop every now and then, showing his excitement. He even wanted to do a little dance with Ana.
I nominate Ana because she is patient and respectful, regardless of the situation, and her patients develop trust with her because of the compassionate care she provides.
Recently, we have had some challenges on our unit with 2 specific patients in mind. The first one was quite challenging and difficult to work with, and interrogated nurses. He had a lack of trust in almost everyone. Despite this challenge, Ana would agree to take the patient back the next day when she worked consecutively and even agreed to take him on days when others needed a mental break from him. This patient may have trusted almost no one in his life, but he developed a sense of trust with Ana. Ana set clear boundaries with the patient, respected him, and was professional with him. She always answered his questions, was still kind and patient, gave him his pain meds on time, and took extra time to just listen to him when he needed to vent or talk about his childhood, which had been rough. Her being compassionate allowed the patient to drop his guard at times, be respectful back, and develop professional trust with her.
The second patient was a challenge because he was autistic, and he listened to no one. He would spit at staff, hit/bite staff, and attempt to jump on the recliner chair in the patient's room. When Ana worked, she worked very well with him and would redirect him safely back to bed. She used great distraction techniques, and he liked counting with her. The patient developed trust with Ana as his caregiver, and on most days, he would listen to her. After a couple of weeks of medication adjustments and being on restraints, Ana discontinued the restraints and allowed him to walk down the hall of the unit. This patient was so happy walking down the hall. He smiled the whole time, doing a little skip and hop every now and then, showing his excitement. He even wanted to do a little dance with Ana.
I nominate Ana because she is patient and respectful, regardless of the situation, and her patients develop trust with her because of the compassionate care she provides.