CATHERINE NARANJO

Assistant Nurse Manager

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream/Northwell Health

Catherine Naranjo recalls being fresh out of college (Adelphi) when she landed her first job. Five years later, she hasn’t looked back. Among the young nurses hurled into the pandemic and tested by its ordeal, she emerged wiser and stronger, proving herself an asset to her fellow nursing team at LIJ Valley Stream. She has quickly advanced to the role of an assistant nurse manager, a position she has held for a year and a half.

Before that she was on intimate terms with numerous patients, attending to them at their bedside as a medical-surgical nurse, or “med-surg nurse.”

The fast-paced demands of that role conditioned her to juggle the administrative rigors of an assistant nurse manager, where she not only oversees the health of patients and their families but also her fellow health workers.

“I'm in charge of patients and staff and families. My role has made me see things from everyone's perspective. There are a lot of factors that come into patient care. And it takes a lot of effort into caring for a patient at every point of their care.”

Catherine, who hails from a family of nurses and doctors, is never too far from her mentor, her mother and fellow nurse, Luz Naranjo. “Yes, she’s definitely an inspiration,” she says.

Catherine encourages all new and aspiring nurses to “explore and take on new roles because you never know what you can and can’t do until you try.” And she is thankful for the support of her colleagues. “The support that the Valley Stream team has shown me has been the most rewarding. They’ve helped me move forward with my life goals.”