news &views PACU Receives CNO Award,
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“There is not a group of nurses more deserving of this award than the PACU staff. This unit exemplifies teamwork and excellence not only by their actions but also by their attitudes. They have been tolerant and patient with major construction, policy updates, and infrastructure changes (not to mention years with a single restroom!). During these changes patient care was never sacrificed. If anything, I believe the growing pains have brought the PACU staff closer together, and patients seem to have benefited by having the attention of a team rather than a single person. Each day nurses can be seen helping one another at the bedside, with paperwork, or with consultations to various services. They are a trustworthy group of care providers, and I cannot be happier for them to receive such an honor.” C.J. Bucci, MD Assistant Professor, Division of Trauma Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Mary Petrosino, RN, clinical nurse II, said, “Our manager pushes each of us to achieve more.” The nursing staff said Bea has done a wonderful job of letting us maintain our identities on both sides of the PACU, while creating a blended feel and team approach. Staff members from both sides of the PACU eat lunch together, socialize outside of work and problem solve together on a daily basis. Julie Busseau, BSN, RN, CPAN, senior clinical nurse I, said, “The thing I like best about the PACU is our co-workers. We have a great group of nurses who work hard and have fun while doing it.” Jean Ludwig, MS, RN, CCRN, senior clinical nurse I, adds, “just this morning, we were celebrating milestones and new nurses.” Evaliz Jimenez, RN, clinical nurse I, has just become a nurse. The team is thrilled she will be staying at the Medical Center and starting a new job in the Surgical Intermediate Care Unit. They spoke with tears in their eyes about what a wonderful team member Evaliz is and how they will miss her as she begins her new role. A patient care technician for the past seven years, Evaliz said, “when patients come out of the OR and speak Spanish, it is wonderful to speak with them.” The team provided many examples of how they care about each other and the patients, their adaptability and collaborative practice. When you hear the same themes repeatedly mentioned on rounds, you learn what is important to and valued by the team. For the team, the bottom line is patient care. Bea said “staff members are patient advocated. The PACU can be a kind of limbo area for patients and families, but the nursing team is always focused on ensuring the patient gets what he or she needs – the staff is constantly problem-solving.” Julie Busseau sums it up: “We don’t allow patients or their needs to be lost in the system. Each one is an individual with continued on page 24. individual care needs.”
Melissa Smith, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse II Ashley Moran, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse II; Mary Petrosino, RN, Clinical Nurse II; and Brittney Usilton, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse II
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