When we are asked, “what defines a leader” or “what does good leadership look like,” one of the first answers is always “leading by example.” Despite our familiarity with this ideal, it is rare to find a leader who is able cultivate and maintain it. However, on 8 Long we are so fortunate to have a Nurse Leader who shines by her example to all of us and has made an immense impact on 8L staff and the patients we take care of every day. 

Huiling Yang has worked with the 8L family for a long time and consistently expanded her role through her work as a Charge RN, scheduler, Unit Champion, Unit Council member, CNIII, and mentor. She is also the recipient of multiple awards for her nursing care, including the Neuroscience Nurse Award. Despite having accomplished so much, it seems that Huiling had even more to offer 8L when she became our assistant unit director during the beginning of the pandemic. Her transition into this role was natural for 8L because Huiling had already laid the groundwork as an exceptional leader on our unit. The staff loved her and trusted her because we had already seen her succeed in action. What makes Huiling’s next step so significant, however, is that she came forward in an unprecedented time of need. What type of person steps forward in a time of need like this? Who wants this type of responsibility? The time called for someone who could recognize this unique challenge and had the knowledge, experience, and compassion to deliver. We needed a nurse leader. Huiling bravely answered the call on 8L and she has been the exact combination of clinical expertise and leadership the 8L family needed. 

Huiling’s journey through leadership excellence since becoming our AUD has consistently shown she was the right person for the job. Because of her genuine care for her coworkers, devotion to excellent patient care, and experience in various unit leadership roles, she has been uniquely able to meet the challenges of an unrelenting staffing shortage caused by the pandemic. She is always available to Charge RNs when we need help anticipating unit needs and is nearly always able to find solutions. Huiling is the first to leave her office when staff need help with patient care, bed alarms ring, or when families just need additional support despite having her own administrative work to complete. She is a persistent advocate for staff, patients, and the unit as a whole. She is never afraid to dive into difficult situations, as we have witnessed her comb every inch of a patient room to find a hearing aid that was tucked under a mattress, and often remains at the bedside of confused patients to ensure their safety. Her door is actually always open for us, and staff actually go in to see her! She leads by example every day through visibility on the unit and interactions with individual staff, family, and patients.

Additionally, and even more impressively, Huiling cultivates a unit culture where professional development has become more exciting and fulfilling. Huiling has been able to identify our personal and professional strengths and help us feel appreciated for our outstanding qualities. Not only does she show appreciation for our challenging work and offer encouragement, she inspires us and finds specific opportunities for us that meet our professional goals. 

When I asked to train to become a Charge RN, she was excited for me to take on a new challenge. When I expressed interest in being more involved in the Unit Council after participating in several projects, she presented me with an opportunity to become a Unit Council Co-Chair. When I told her I wanted to become a CNIII, she supported my ideas and guided me through every step of the process. She then helped two more incredible nurses on our unit with their promotion to CNIII, expanding the team of leaders on 8L and giving staff additional resources in their professional development. When I asked if I could do an EBP Fellowship, she encouraged my work and helped me sustain my wellness interventions through animal-assisted therapy for staff. Through every single one of these professional experiences, Huiling has supported me with enthusiasm and expertise, and I am just one of the many staff on our unit. The way she builds us up is truly special, and I’m sure as I am writing this she is likely also submitting a nomination because she understands how important recognition and celebration of good work are to our profession. She creates a safe place for staff to learn by listening and having honest conversations, and I have personally felt more empowered and confident because of her leadership. I have had the space to learn what really motivates me and makes me happy in my work because Huiling has listened to my needs, as well as others, and has taken a genuine interest in my development. Leaders inspire others to lead, and Huiling does exactly that. 

I have to say I am so excited to nominate Huiling Yang for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, and I am not the only one. When I saw the notification about the nomination for this award, I printed a copy of the nomination form and held it up to my coworkers. Every single person said, “Yes, absolutely, she deserves it!"

Huiling is an incredible leader and human being. She works tirelessly advocating for our staff and patients. When you come to Huiling, you know that she will stop what she is doing and give her undivided attention, meeting you with compassion, patience, professionalism, and her best effort. She is thoughtful and pragmatic in her approach, creating a safe, trusting space where she supports her staff in personal and professional development. She inspires others with her actions and is beloved by our staff. Huiling embodies the DAISY Leader Award, and I don't know anyone more deserving of this honor than her.

Huiling has been one of the leader nurses even before she became Assistant Manager. She had been an active member our council and one of the staff who were instrumental in starting the Delirium project which we now practice. As Charge RN, she worked hard to advocate for staff and patients, helping out at bedside while juggling the busy Charge RN duties. As Assistant Manager, she continues the same work ethic, working harder to advocate for staff & patients, being creative in how to fill staff when the unit is short staffed, lending a helping hand at bedside especially during emergencies or with challenges, all while managing her administrative duties. She is always very approachable that one doesn’t feel threatened to talk to her. She always encourages staff to grow professionally by being one of the champions of certain projects, be a Charge RN, or be a mentor for new nurses. She genuinely cares about her staff personally, as well.

Huiling cares about the unit globally; she cares about patients, as well as staff, which makes her perfect for this award.

Huiling’s impact on staff and all the patients who have passed through our unit is truly immeasurable.