Celebrating Nurses Week 2022: Praise For Nurses, From Nurses

National Nurses’ Week is the time to show appreciation for nurses around the country. And while it’s usually employers and the public showing appreciation during Nurses’ Week, we spoke with nurses who also wanted to celebrate some amazing nurses they work with.

More specifically, we wanted to know if there are nurses out there who go “above and beyond the call of duty” to meet the needs of patients or their teammates. And the answer we got was a resounding “YES!”

We spoke with three nurses who wanted to give a shout out to the  nurses and CNAs they work with:

• Sharleen Lucas RN, WEMT is a nurse who worked in Klamath Falls, Oregon on a med/surg unit in a rural level III trauma hospital with Jessie, a CNA.

• Mara Shimko BSN, RN shares about working with Mindy, an RN at a hospital in western Wisconsin. 

• Valarie Cormier BSN, RN currently works in a long-term care facility with Bonnie, a CNA. 

Tell me about a nurse or CNA you work with (or used to work with) who goes above and beyond the call of duty in their nursing duties. What do they/or did they do that makes them stand out to you? 

Sharleen Lucas RN, WEMT

As a team, the CNAs in my last job created a culture of excellence. There was one in particular, Jessie, who consistently went above and beyond, and our patients loved her for it. 

One story in particular…we had an elderly, early dementia patient with "idiopathic" pain in her upper back that we couldn’t fully understand as she couldn’t articulate the problem. It bothered her constantly. We tried several remedies, but she finally experienced relief when Jessie took about 30 minutes and simply massaged the area. It was a classic tense knot…requiring a massage. Jessie was the only one to really inspect and palpate the area to investigate the issue.

Jessie rarely sat down because she felt the needs in each of her rooms. True empathy is more than simply identifying and feeling with another person. It drives you to excellence because you care about your patients’ needs.  Empathetic presence is what Jessie exuded. Patients felt cared for as if they belonged to her family, and they received excellent, skilled caregiving from her because she wanted to give them what they needed. She also graciously advocated for their needs to her nurses when she caught something they missed. She worked empathetically with me as well by anticipating what I, as the RN, needed often before I mentioned it.

Mara Shimko BSN, RN

Mindy, a neuro/peds nurse is…an outstanding nurse. (She) stands out in particular because I’ve seen (her discouraged very little) by what cards have been dealt her way in the daily chaos of acute care. She somehow finds positivity in all scenarios. 

She’s been my mentor and trained me in neuro/peds…8 years ago. She’s my “go-to” coworker for support and answers all my silly questions. She’ll always give me an answer, helps me troubleshoot, and provides bedside assistance whenever she has (the) opportunity….Her daily attitude and the morale she brings to the table is remarkable.

I’m quickly assured my day will be manageable and more satisfying when I see peppy Mindy power walking down the hallway with her large cup of coffee in hand…and (we’re all) quickly greeted with a smile…

(My) nursing colleagues see Mindy as the generous, expert nurse. (They) often call her the “vein whisperer” for obvious reasons. She’ll be the first to delegate herself to an admit or voluntarily stay for a straining 16 hour shift. 

Mindy easily adapts to the ebb and flow of the floor with such grace. She’s an anomaly. She thrives as a Registered Nurse and nursing is truly her calling. She puts thought into continuous care outside of her assigned patient load and is cognizant of how each nurse stands on the unit. The care she provides is above and beyond…

Valarie Cormier BSN, RN

Bonnie (a CNA) stands out for remaining cool and staying the course. She has worked for thirty years in long term care, treating each person like family. The more challenging the moment, the stronger her resolve to respond in ways to defuse tensions and to deflect negative energy into meeting care plan objectives. 

As I enter her care space, my ears tune in to Bonnie’s distinct chuckle, followed by, “so let’s just put that over here for now” as she intercepts Bertha’s projectile and redirects Harry’s…behaviors. 

Over the years, Bonnie hasn’t become hardened and tough. She is seasoned and resilient….She leads by example…

What are 1-3 words you would use to describe this nurse or CNA?

Lucas:

Empathetic, loyal, skilled.

Shimko:

An altruistic anomaly, reliable and resourceful, nurse advocate.

Cormier:

…organized, adaptive, and….begins her day with a plan, but not a list that she checks off to boost her ego. “I plan the whole day in my head…then I go with the flow” (she told me).

What makes this person stand out as an amazing nurse or CNA to you?

Lucas:

She’s a highly skilled CNA because empathy for her patients drives her to be so.

Shimko:

Mindy stands out with her individualized care. It’s not a one recipe fits all treatment or care plan for patients….She exceeds our hospital’s core values of respect, care, competence and joy….She shows up daily for her patients, their family members and our colleagues. She is undoubtedly the most resourceful and reliable nurse we have on our unit. 

Cormier:

Bonnie’s greatness as a nurse is measured by how she connects with each person in a real way. Her intentionality includes moments of genuine human connection with each resident in ways that build trust, rapport, and mutuality. 

Do you think these traits/characteristics can be learned? Or do you think these traits are just part of this person’s personality?

Lucas:

I think 9 times out of 10, they can be learned if someone cares to learn and grow. However, that being said, empathy that drives one to excellence does come easier for some than others.

Shimko:

I think we all can acknowledge who our role model is in the nursing field and (who we) aspire to be like ... I believe these traits are in this person’s nature. You can have a “skilled” nurse who knows how to perform all the skills with adequacy. But that same nurse may be poor at providing individualized, compassionate, sincere care. 

Cormier:

Great nurses like Bonnie are rare but not…uncommon. Bonnie says that she has identified as a nurse since the age of nine. When I asked if she was born a nurse, she…affirmed that her passion to help is foundational to who she is, not something that she learned in nursing school. It’s also obvious that Bonnie’s (nature) rubs off on the ones she works with. So perhaps it’s one of those complex matters that is a mix of nature and nurture.

What separates a good nurse from a great nurse? 

Lucas:

Patients know when a nurse doesn’t care much for their job or their patients.  Their skills may be good but they are more harsh or cold.  A great nurse is both skilled and caring.

Shimko:

A great nurse is easily noticed. I feel they shine brightly amongst a crowd. You see and feel the compassion radiating from a great nurse. 

Aside from providing quality direct patient care, the effort of team work distinguishes a good nurse from a great nurse. A great nurse attempts to set (the nurses following them) up for success. Simple examples include; clarifying orders, completing dressing changes, preparing a room for admission, ensuring quality last hourly rounds were completed, cleaning up tedious messes, etc. I’ve recognized over the years I struggle with the “by the book nurses” that can’t deviate or be somewhat autonomous in their care. I think this creates a distinction from good to great. We must bend (within reason and within our scope to do so) for our patients to complete outstanding care. 

Cormier:

All great nurses start out as good nurses - nurses that are not satisfied with mediocrity. You can’t become a great nurse without experiences that challenge long held beliefs and assumptions. Transformation from goodness to greatness happens when we connect with people in meaningful ways, where we demonstrate grace and humility, and whether we like it or not, through the molding of our character by the uncomfortableness of vulnerability. It’s the journey of becoming real… 

What, if anything, have you learned from this nurse or CNA?

Lucas:

On days when I was burned out or compassion-fatigued, Jessie’s actions motivated me to dig deep and keep serving with empathy and integrity. 

Cormier:

Getting to know Bonnie in the clinical area has enhanced my nursing experience in ways I didn’t expect. For example, she has prompted me to discuss and explore how organizational styles affect nursing outcomes….Being with Bonnie causes me to reflect on my own organizational methodology and how it affects competency and my effectiveness.

Shimko:

Attitude, message and response is everything in your everyday patient care and tasks. I’ve learned you can be quickly humbled by patients or even provider interactions. You put your reactions aside and deal with what’s at the forefront. 

What’s the best way to show appreciation to a nurse?

Shimko:

Let management know (the nurse or CNA) is being noticed for their excellent work….If the healthcare worker is a caffeine lover, provide them with the soul-warming goods as a form of gratitude. 

Cormier:

To show meaningful appreciation requires a basic understanding of the person we wish to champion. For Bonnie, it’s kind words. When the “little things” are acknowledged and someone takes the time to say, “thank you”, that goes a long way. It’s particularly rewarding when members of the leadership team take notice.

Lucas:

We were paid well in my last job, but we were quickly burning out. To show appreciation to a nurse, improving the work environment is more important than increasing pay. Slow everyone down and give them time to serve patients with excellence and empathy.

Can you tell me why you wanted to share a story about this nurse/CNA?

Lucas:

I’m happy to highlight Jessie’s service because I am so grateful for her hard work and supportive teamwork. 

Cormier:

Bonnie shares her aura of joy and lightheartedness…for residents and staff alike. Having the opportunity to reflect on our clinical experiences together, I’ve learned how to better appreciate the uniqueness of each nurse. I want Bonnie to know how much I value her, and I want others to know about her, too.

Shimko:

Mindy has been my mentor, my go-to, my team member and leader. She should be recognized. Mindy has chosen (the hospital we work at) as her second home and truly treats it that way. There has been high turnover in recent years with a variation of incoming colleague personalities and work ethics. Her longevity and positive personality is admirable amongst the continued challenges of acute care. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add or share?

Cormier:

A good sense of humor is not to be overlooked in a list of attributes that characterize great nurses. Bonnie’s stealthy humor is an effective tool and a joy to witness. During crisis situations, Bonnie describes her use of humor for a dual purpose—to help distract and de-escalate crisis situations and simultaneously to decrease her own anxiety in the moment. 

Shimko:

I’ve encountered several superb nurses in the past several years and wish I could pool them altogether to provide the best possible care for our patients. You always hope to help mold those coming through…hope to (create) more nurses like Mindy. Either way, there’s always room for self improvement and encouragement to improve others to build excellence, patient satisfaction and even gratitude in the care you provide. 

Wow! So there you have it. Your fellow nursing teammates have also noticed the incredible work you do—and they appreciate you more than you know.

If there’s a nurse or CNA you admire, let them know you appreciate them and why. It doesn’t cost anything. And it will likely mean more to that person than any praise they receive from those outside the nursing profession, because you’re in the trenches everyday with them. Reach out today and encourage a nurse you know.