Affectionately nicknamed "the General", Liyun is always on the front line leading the charge to provide 5-star care to our veterans. She also works tirelessly to build and maintain a 5-star team by coordinating the patient related workings of our unit. Liyun demonstrates a very conscientious positive demeanor that encourages staff to complete and comply with numerous documentation and regulatory requirements in the ICU in addition to direct patient care.
Liyun often is the charge nurse for our night shift and if she is in charge we all know the night will be alright regardless of what comes our way. When in charge we are treated to a leadership style that is a curious mix of high energy and mother hen. She actively nurtures morale by organizing unit celebrations for special events like birthdays and holidays even if she won't be able to attend them (but she is always there in spirit). Every month she coordinates a night shift celebration to honor each person's birthday and sends out a group text to wish them well on their actual birthday.
Liyun is always supportive of her staff, she has traveled with other nurses who were uncomfortable traveling alone to another hospital with critically ill patients. She is a never-ending fountain of knowledge when it comes to policies, procedures, and nuances of the VA and is always open for questions, even when she's not in charge. Liyun fosters a community that raises each other up and supports each other no matter how tough the situation. She encourages us to attend seminars and get certified in critical care (CCRN). Liyun is very resourceful; if she doesn't immediately know how to do something (which is a rare occasion) and uses every resource to find the answer. We had a piece of equipment that needed to be taken apart and despite annual competency, no one could remember how it was done. But Liyun was all over it, delving through the manual and ultimately watching a YouTube video to get the job done right.
One of her peers stated in 23 years of nursing she is the rare nurse who will frequently offer to take another nurse's float assignment. Examples are taking a float for a co-worker who was feeling under the weather or having technical (PIV CARD) issues and floating would have made their night just unbearable. Liyun works with other units to help them during their times of need, going down to help situate a new arrival, sitting in the ER with a BA-52 patient, helping other units with trips to STAT procedure for complex, critically ill patients.
During the summer our staff was frequently floated. On several occasions, multiple nurses would be floated to different floors because of a low census. Each night that Liyun was on she would make coffee and bring the pot with all the creamers and condiments to staff floated out of the unit. It is just her customary and very personal way of reminding her co-workers that out of sight is not out of mind but on nights like this it is more of nourishment for the soul.
It is common knowledge among staff that Liyun is the among the most highly respected nurses in the CICU. She is a quintessential nurse, always ready to lend a hand and quick to answer phones, call lights and alarm bells. Even on the most hectic nights, she has a way of making everything seem effortless. She genuinely enjoys what she's doing. It's easy to see that when Liyun is helping people, she is in her element.
Liyun is the most organized nurse in the unit. Multitasking is her superpower. Each night she ensures that every room is set and ready to go; when an admission comes your way she's right behind you, ready to help. She is always at least 2 steps ahead even on the most chaotic nights, she always knows who's up to float or what patient needs to be moved and she is willing to stand up for her staff and negotiate in a professional manner to get what is best for the patients and staff. Liyun is a role model to us all. Her encouragement, compassion and thoughtfulness carry us all through the good and the bad.
Liyun is unflappable, unstoppable, well-loved, highly appreciated, and a true DAISY Nurse.