(l-r)Stuart Downs, Chief Nursing Officer; Lee Ann Arnold, Emily Nicholson, Libby Heuett, Pernisa Perkins (Honoree holding flowers) , Shelly Connor, Penny Montgomery, Brandy Dobeck, Elka Trimboli, Nissy Cherian and Jamie Royals
January 2014
Pernisa
Perkins
,
RN
NICU
Eastside Medical Center
Snellville
,
GA
United States

 

 

 

Pernisa interacts with staff, senior management, patients, and middle management in her role as charge nurse; in which she consistently continues to model our Service Excellence. Pernisa handles patient complaints and works hard to provide service recovery. On the third floor parents are offered a room to stay close to their sick newborns. Pernisa started this long before it became routine care. One case in particular was when a mom could not stop crying about leaving her baby. Pernisa handled her assignment while working all day with the house supervisor and the clinical coordinator to accommodate this scared and anxious parent. This was when those rooms were used for hospital overflow patients and were hard to acquire. Pernisa maintains close relationships with her parents even after they go home. Many return to visit asking specifically for Pernisa. They may not remember anyone else, but they remember her.

As far as special connections with the staff, she has our loyalty there as well. One of her duties is the dreaded schedule. She juggles and swaps until we all are accommodated and happy. In return when we are asked to pick up, swap or cover a co-worker Pernisa rarely hears "No" or "I can't". She goes to bat for the staff and fights for us. We know she is trustworthy and fair. That is what we all love and appreciate about her. As charge nurse this is an essential quality. She treats us all with professionalism, respect and kindness. My own son passed away this past year and I know first-hand of her compassion. She stayed in constant touch with me and made sure my shifts were covered as my grief took me to a place of depression and required a long leave of absence. She rallied the staff to support me and helped ease my transition back to work. Thus, she has a special place in my heart.

Pernisa is a team player, resource nurse, and phenomenal leader. She is not above doing patient care, mentoring students and precepting new staff. She truly wears many hats - Charge Nurse, Firefighter, Staff and Patient advocate, Housekeeper, Delegator, Gopher and Friend.