Compassionate care, empathy, professionalism, enthusiastic support of colleagues, goes above and beyond for her patients, great communication skills.
The words may be cliché, but the actions behind them never are. When you find a caregiver, who embodies these “clichés,” you’ve found someone special.
Christa Saracino, BSN, RN, is that someone special. An RN for 24 years —22 at Salem Medical Center—she was recognized recently as a winner of the Blue Violet Award for nursing excellence, receiving numerous nominations from colleagues and patients alike.
“Once when I was nursing supervisor, I had to transfer a patient from the Behavioral Health unit to ICU,” wrote one of her colleagues. “With only two nurses in ICU, Christa was kind enough by stepping up and accepting this new patient right away. She identified the patient’s needs, was empathetic, acted fast on inserting an IV line, started drips, connected the patient to the monitor, and provided excellent care to the patient. Her critical thinking skills and ability to solve problems quickly resulted in stabilizing the patient.
“As a charge nurse, during patient care rounds, Christa demonstrates outstanding communication skills by discussing patients’ needs and outcomes with other members of the health care team.
She is calm even in the most intense situations. She not only volunteers for assignments, but has also volunteered to precept, be a mentor and a super user over the years.”
Said another colleague: “If you look up professional nurse on google, or for the old fashion folks the dictionary, you would find Christa’s picture. She always presents as professional, has excellent critical thinking skills, an excellent work ethic and is well respected by her colleagues, physicians, students, instructors, administration and management.”
To nominate a nurse for the Blue Violet Award for Nursing Excellence, scan the QR Code found on posters in all elevators, find nomination forms throughout the hospital or visit https://www.smc.health/smc-staff-recognition-awards/.