Bedside Nursing Excellence Award Winner
- What keeps you at the bedside or drives you to stay in your role?
- I absolutely love pediatrics, always have. I love the population, the patients, and the families. Kids are made of magic. They are inspiring, motivated, resilient, and innocent. Working in the CICU has given me a better understanding of what it’s like to be a parent and what true love really is.
- What is a pearl you have for junior nurses?
- If you work hard and be kind to everyone you meet, amazing things will happen. You must be tough in this field. There will be bad days, but there will also be days where families really appreciate what you do. And always remember, it’s okay to ask for help.
- How did you get into CICU nursing?
- I earned my nursing degree in Cebu, Philippines. I came to the U.S. in 1992 and started working in CHOP’s CICU as a nursing assistant. I was amazed at what the team could do. I saw kids come back from the worst, with all odds against them. It was so worthwhile seeing kids get better. It’s the best part and it’s why I stayed in the CICU after I passed my boards.
- What qualities do you think make a great CICU nurse?
- To be a great CICU nurse you must be determined, strong, and compassionate.
- What advice do you have for young physicians working with cardiac ICU nurses?
- Teamwork is so vital. You won’t make it through the day without teamwork. It’s important to listen and trust the bedside nurse when we think something is wrong. Respect and trust go a long way.
- What words of advice do you have for young nurses and nursing students who are interested in a career in pediatric cardiac ICU?
- Working in the CICU is scary. It’s okay to be scared. What’s important is what you do with that fear. Always be kind, always be tough. Trust yourself.
Virginia Mae Enad
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia