This week and always, Nexus Health Systems is thankful for the work our nursing team performs every day. Across all facilities, our nurses support patients and families while providing important medical care. Although fun events have been planned to show our appreciation during Nurses Week, we’d also like to spotlight a feature nurse from each facility. Their stories are below.
Tran Thuong, RN | Nexus Children’s Hospital Houston
Tran promotes and exemplifies team work and is a living example of working together. He always keeps our patients’ wellbeing his first priority and is not afraid to speak up. Eager to learn new skills, Tran comes to work with a can do positive attitude. He is flexible and will make every effort to change his schedule according to the needs of the hospital. Because of his skills and dedication, Tran can also easily transition from staff to House Supervisor. He is also a mentor to staff and acts as a teacher to new nurses.
1. How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse since July 2015.
2. How long have you worked for Nexus Health Systems?
I have worked at Nexus Children’s Hospital for almost three years.
3. Why did you want to become a nurse?
I wanted to become a nurse because I love taking care of patients and making them feel at home, safe, and satisfied.
4. Describe the best part of your job.
The best part of my job is watching the kids make progress every day.
5. What is one experience you’ve had during your career that sticks with you?
One experience that has stayed with me us from when I first started at our hospital. I admitted an 18 year old male with spinal cord injury from a motor vehicle accident. He had trach and wanted to talk. I tried really hard to understand what he said, but couldn’t, so he became upset and angry and told me to get out of his room. I felt sad in the moment because it was the first time someone spoke to me like that. But then I thought, “He is my patient and he’s going through a very tough time.” I went back to room and took care of him the rest of night. During his stay at the hospital, he got better and was very nice and respectful.
Kelly Blosky, RN | HealthBridge Children’s Hospital-Orange
Kelly Blosky uses the synergistic power of teamwork to achieve results here at HealthBridge-Orange. She excels in developing team momentum, enthusiasm, and pride. She consistently promotes strong support of the facility and corporations’ mission and vision. Kelly displays creative imagination and achieves results when confronted with major responsibilities and limited resources. She is truly an asset to Nexus Health Systems and she displays a strong capacity for growth and is great at turning potentials into actions. Personally, Kelly is fair, cheerful, and follows businesslike procedures to accomplish objectives and goals. She is warm, genuine, and displays a relaxed, confident, and cheerful disposition at all times.
1. How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a registered nurse for 8 years.
2. How long have you worked for Nexus Health Systems?
I have been working at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital-Orange since May 2016.
3. Why did you want to become a nurse?
I was visiting my father in the hospital and it was then that I realized I wanted to be one of the nurses at the bedside. With a nursing degree, I have the ability to work in such a variety of environments, but always have the same goal: To make an impact on the lives of others. I knew I wanted to be a part of healing and nurturing others and fell in love with pediatric nursing.
4. Describe the best part of your job.
The best part of being a pediatric nurse is the kids! I love working with them because of their innocence, strength, and playfulness. Children have the greatest resilience and it is extremely rewarding to be a part of their journey towards recovery.
5. What is one experience you’ve had during your career that sticks with you?
I worked with a 5-year-old with Transverse Myelitis a few years ago. He and his family went through tremendous challenges when they were faced with this life altering diagnosis. They showed such strength from the beginning of their admission throughout their hospital stay. Seeing family members come together, teaching them the new ways they would have to care for this boy, and helping him get through the tough times and continue laughing through it all was extremely fulfilling to be a part of. It’s true when they say laughter is the best medicine!
Raquel Haydel, LVN | Nexus Neurorecovery Center
Raquel is a great addition to our nursing team at Nexus Neurorecovery Center. She is clinically knowledgeable and brings a flexible, positive attitude to every job she is tasked with. Raquel is also patient focused, which is very important to the care of our residents.
1. How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse for about 16 years now.
2. How long have you worked for Nexus Health Systems?
I have worked for Nexus Health Systems since July of 2018.
3. Why did you want to become a nurse?
I love being a nurse because I am genuinely passionate about caring for people. I wanted to be a nurse so that I could make a difference in someone’s life.
4. Describe the best part of your job.
The best part of my job is simply being appreciated, whether it be from the patients, their family members, or coworkers.
5. What is one experience you’ve had during your career that sticks with you?
I would have to say there was a day when I was in the right place at the right time. I just happened to be in my patient’s room preparing her medications with my back turned to her. I turned around and she wasn’t breathing. I uncapped her tracheostomy, placed her oxygen at 100%, hit the code blue button, and began compressions. I was so happy that the lady survived! I quietly walked by the ICU the following day to check on her and it was as if nothing had ever happened. I smiled. I don’t even think the lady knew what had happened.
Angie Sandoval, BSN, RN | Nexus Specialty Hospital
Angie is a compassionate and caring person. She is a reliable team player who pays attention to details, and a valued resource to our team. She brings her A game every day to ensure our patients get the best care possible. Also, Angie has been with Nexus Specialty Hospital for 10 years this past April. We thank Angie for being part of our team!
1. How long have you been a nurse?
I’ve been an RN for 17 years.
2. How long have you worked for Nexus Health Systems?
I’ve worked the last 10 years at Nexus Specialty Hospital.
3. Why did you want to become a nurse?
My education led to nursing somewhat unexpectedly, so I’d say the profession chose me instead. To be honest, I was afraid of becoming a nurse. The intensity. The responsibility. Now, however, I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’s a privilege to serve humanity in such an honorable way.
4. Describe the best part of your job.
The best part of my job is taking care of nursing staff so they can better care for patients. Our nurses, CNAs, unit secretaries, and tele techs make up a dedicated department of professionals who wholeheartedly work to assist patients, families, physicians, administration, and anyone else seeking answers and interventions. The nature of the work is emotionally, mentally, and physically taxing on the best of days, so offering myself as a supportive resource is by far my favorite part of the job…But observing a patient waking from a clinically unconsciousness state for the first time runs a close second best. That’s pretty awesome too!
5. What is one experience you’ve had during your career that sticks with you?
I’m mindful to carry them all with me, even the experiences I’d rather forget. Nursing allows me to bear witness to the exponential spectrum of the human condition and its worldly experience, and I’m so fortunate to have so many stories ultimately contributing to my own.